RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision announced that it had recognized six optometry students during the annual National Optometric Student Association Scholarship ceremony, part of the four-day National Optometric Association (NOA) convention held recently in Philadelphia. The celebration honored each students’ leadership and service to the optometric profession. Five students were awarded the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award, provided in partnership with NOA in honor of Dr. Poston, the first Black optometrist on the West Coast and co-founder of VSP Vision.

Each student was awarded a $4,000 scholarship based on their video submission outlining their leadership, community service, drive toward private practice, and future plans and career path after graduation, according to the announcement.

The 2024 recipients are:

 
 (Clockwise from top left) VSP Vision scholarship winners included Olivia Wynn; Emely Minino Soto; Melisa Philogene; Avia Dolberry; Dominica Dzakah; and Abarnaa Arithas.
  
  • Abarnaa Arithas – class of 2025 at University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science.

  • Olivia Wynn – class of 2026 at New England College of Optometry.

  • Emely Minino Soto – class of 2025 at New England College of Optometry.

  • Melisa Philogene – class of 2024 at Illinois College of Optometry.

  • Dominica Dzakah – class of 2025 at Salus at Drexel, Pennsylvania College of Optometry.
Avia Dolberry, a New England College of Optometry student, was awarded the Empowering Equity Scholarship, created in collaboration with Black EyeCare Perspective, and received $15,000 toward her education. According to the company, the Empowering Equity Scholarship is one of many efforts that support the 13 Percent Promise, the mission to improve and increase representation of Blacks and African Americans in the optometric industry.

“We are thrilled to recognize Avia Dolberry as the recipient of the 2024 Empowering Equity Scholarship,” said Dr. Essence Johnson, Black EyeCare Perspective executive director. “Our collaboration with VSP is just one way we are creating more opportunities for Black students to enter the field of optometry and increase representation in the industry.”

VSP Vision helped kick off the NOA Conference, in coordination with the Black Doctors Consortium, by providing free eye exams and prescription eyewear to Philadelphia residents through the VSP Vision Eyes of Hope mobile clinic, the company stated.

“Every year, each cohort of scholarship applicants demonstrates a commitment to the optometric profession, as well as exceptional leadership skills, and this year is no exception,” said VSP Vision chief diversity officer, Marvin Davenport. “It’s through these strategic partnerships, that VSP can provide valuable resources to the next generation of optometrists who are invested in pursuing a career in optometry and understand the importance of providing equitable access to vision care.”

The Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award and the Empowering Equity Scholarship are two of the many scholarships designed to support the future of optometry. Within the last 10 years, VSP Vision said it has provided more than $3.5 million in scholarship support to optometry students. To learn more, click here.