ATLANTA—SECO International is currently accepting nominations for its 2017 awards program, recognizing significant contributions to optometry. The ceremony will take place at SECO’s 94th Congress, during the Southern Council of Optometrists (SoCO) House of Delegates meeting on March 4.

“SECO International is dedicated to providing world-class optometric continuing education and recognizing outstanding individuals who provide the highest level of dedication and service to the optometry profession through our annual awards program,” said Ted McElroy, OD, president of SECO International. “We encourage optometry professionals in our 12 southeastern member states to nominate colleagues who inspire others and have made a significant impact on optometry.”

SECO will be giving out awards for Optometrist of the South, which requires the recipient to have been a member of the Southern Council for the year in which the award is presented; Paraoptometric of the South, given to a non-optometrist residing in one of the 12 states comprising the Southern Council of Optometrists; and the Young Optometrist of the South, awarded to an optometrist who graduated from an accredited school or college of optometry within 10 years of the request of nominations.

Award nominations for 2017 are due Nov. 30. All nominations should include a letter containing the nominee’s name, the name of the award for which they are being nominated, the city and state of the nominee’s practice, and the reasons why they should receive the award. Applications must also include a copy of the nominee’s biography or resume.

For more information about the awards program and SECO International, visit www.secointernational.com or www.seco2017.com.