ASCO Announces 2026 Special Recognition Award Recipients

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announces the recipients of the 2026 Special Recognition Awards.

“This year’s Special Recognition Award winners are extraordinary and we are pleased to recognize them in this way,” says Dr. Alicia Feis, ASCO President. “Their contributions to optometry and optometric education cannot be overstated and we are thrilled to honor them during ASCO’s Annual Business Meeting.”

ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. David A. Heath is this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding individual who, over an extended period of time, provided exceptional leadership to ASCO and to optometric education; made outstanding contributions to the optometric community; and displayed exemplary commitment and dedication to the Association.

Dr. David A. Heath served as the 3^rd President of the State University of New York State College of Optometry from June 2007 until August 2024 and held the rank of Professor. Following his decision to step down from the presidency, he received a one-year appointment from State University Chancellor John King to serve as Special Advisor: Upstate Doctor of Optometry Extension Program. Dr. Heath retired from SUNY June 30, 2025.

Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Heath worked at The New England College of Optometry where he served as Vice President/Dean of Academic Affairs (2000-2006), and Dean of Academic Affairs (1994-2006). He started as faculty at The New England College of Optometry in 1984 and attained the rank of Professor of Optometry (tenured) in 1994. Dr. Heath received his B.A. from Ithaca College in 1976; Doctor of Optometry from The New England College of Optometry in 1983; completed his residency in 1984; and earned his Master in Education from Harvard University in 1992. 

With numerous scholarly publications and/or presentations to his credit, Dr. Heath is best known for his work in educational program development and international vision care. In 2001 and 2007, Dr. Heath was the recipient of the Jack Bennett Innovation in Education Award from ASCO for his leadership in optometric education nationally. He was recognized and awarded the status of “Distinguished Scholar” in the National Academies of Practice in 2009. He also served twice as President of ASCO during the 2012-2013 and 2015-2016 academic years. 

“I am honored and deeply appreciative of being awarded ASCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  Given my own journey in optometric education, this award will hold a special place in my heart,” says Dr. Heath. “My career has always focused on advancing optometric education and been based in the recognition that the voice of ASCO and academic leadership is central to the development of the profession. I encourage our educational leaders, (deans, presidents and faculty), to not lose sight of the power of their voice and ensure that diverse perspectives and the unique expertise they bring to bear, are heard and lead our profession forward. Thank you so much for this recognition.”

This award is generously sponsored by Costco Wholesale Inc.

“Costco is honored to partner with ASCO in recognizing the remarkable educators who have influenced the field of eye care, reflecting our own commitment to professional education and innovation in eyecare” states Dr. Pratil Lal, Head of Professional Services at Costco Wholesale Inc. “It is a privilege for us to participate in celebrating this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Dr David Heath, for his inspirational work in championing eyecare education globally.

Herbert Wertheim Award
Dr. Mitchell M. Scheiman is the fifth Dr. Herbert Wertheim Award recipient. This award, affectionately called the “Herbie,” recognizes remarkable individuals or organizations that have accomplished high-impact, ground-breaking, and innovative programs or initiatives, and contributed substantially, or have the potential to sustainably address, eye and vision health and/or the social determinants of eye health and vision care, at the local, national, or global level.

Dr. Mitchell M. Scheiman, OD, PhD, is Senior Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Optometry at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University. An internationally recognized clinician-scientist, he has played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding and treatment of binocular vision disorders, amblyopia, and vision dysfunction associated with concussion.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Scheiman has led landmark multicenter clinical trials—including the National Eye Institute–funded Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial—that helped establish evidence-based care for symptomatic convergence insufficiency in children.

Dr. Scheiman has authored more than 265 scientific publications and influential textbooks, including Clinical Management of Binocular Vision. His research has been cited more than 20,000 times and has helped shape modern clinical practice while mentoring generations of clinicians and vision scientists.

“I am deeply honored to receive the ASCO Herbert A. Wertheim Award. Much of my career has focused on improving the diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision disorders, amblyopia, and vision problems associated with concussion, and I have been fortunate to work with outstanding colleagues, students, and collaborators who share a commitment to advancing both research and patient care. I am grateful to ASCO for recognizing the importance of innovation and mentorship in improving visual health and quality of life,” says Dr. Scheiman.

Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award
ASCO’s Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award was established in March 2000, to recognize an ASCO volunteer for an outstanding innovation to optometric education. The award was named in June 2000 in honor of Dr. Bennett, a creative leader in optometric education, who served as Dean at three optometric institutions.

This year’s award is given to Dr. Roanne E. Flom. The daughter of two optometric educators, Dr. Flom completed interdisciplinary studies in human biology at Stanford University before obtaining her OD from UC Berkeley. She completed a residency in Vision Rehabilitation before being lured to Johns Hopkins University Department of Ophthalmology to help develop a new low vision service. After six years, she sought to “come home to optometry” and found that home at the Ohio State University College of Optometry.

Now with thirty plus years at that college, she serves as chief of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Service, teaches the Low Vision Rehabilitation and Gerontology course, and sees patients alongside interns and residents. This teaching and patient care is informed not only by serious engagement with optics, vision science, and ocular disorders, but also by deep focus on the cognitive and emotional needs of patients that we address through deliberate communication choices.

“It feels great to be recognized for my efforts to elevate the teaching of optometric low vision rehabilitation. I especially appreciate the role ASCO played by creating a home for the Low Vision Educator’s SIG that I was able to co-found and see flourish,” according to Dr. Flom. “I have also been lucky to partner closely with colleagues in developing novel teaching activities, including ways for interns to do their first trial frame refractions with a digital ‘patient’ and to do their first serious news conversations with actors, using communications strategies developed in palliative care. I remain deeply grateful to the people and institutions that support me in doing the fascinating and deeply meaningful work of an optometric educator.”

ASCO Rising Star Award
The ASCO Rising Star Award, sponsored by Costco Wholesale Inc. is given to an outstanding faculty member or administrator with less than seven years of service who has made noteworthy contributions to fulfilling the mission, strategic objectives, or programs of ASCO. This year’s Rising Star awardee is Dr. Amy Logan.

Dr. Amy Logan received her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry (UABSO) and completed a primary care residency at the Salem VAMC. She is an Associate Professor at UABSO and is course director of Assessment of Systemic Diseases in Optometry and the Advanced Procedures of the Posterior Segment lab. She serves as an attending doctor in the in-house ocular disease department and at two external interprofessional sites, one of which is a clinic for HIV patients. 

Dr. Logan has been an active member of the Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) SIG since 2019 and was part of the steering committee that organized a multi-part hybrid summit on advancing interprofessional education in 2023. She served as chair of the IPECP SIG from 2023-2025. She has been part of the Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPRF) Committee since 2020 and led the efforts to update the IPECP Toolkit. She currently serves as vice-chair of the IPRF Committee. Finally, she has been a co-presenter for ASCO’s Summer Institute for Faculty Development in 2022 and 2024 on the topic of interprofessional education. 

“It is a true honor to be nominated and selected for this award. I am deeply passionate about serving my patients, teaching my students, and advancing the field of optometry. ASCO has provided me with incredible opportunities to contribute to the profession, and I am profoundly grateful for the many ways I have been able to get involved,” says Dr. Logan.

“We are thrilled to extend our congratulations to Dr. Amy Logan for being named the recipient of this year’s ASCO Rising Star Award,” stated Dr. Pratil Lal, Head of Professional Services at Costco Wholesale Inc. “This honor is a testament not only to her clinical excellence but also to her contributions to the field through dedicated education and mentorship of the next generation of optometrists.”  

ASCO Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award
The ASCO Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award recognizes an individual from a current or past Corporate Contributor partner company that demonstrates exemplary support of ASCO and its member institutions.

The individual serves as an example for his/her colleagues in industry and has made exceptional and meaningful contributions to the advancement of ASCO and optometric education. 

Dr. Michele Andrews is this year’s Industry Leadership Award recipient. 

Dr. Michele Andrews is the Chief Medical Officer of VSP Vision, where she guides strategy across all clinical modalities. She oversees the alignment of clinical standards in optometric care and supports the development of programs that expand access to high‑quality, patient‑centered eye care for VSP’s diverse member populations.

With more than three decades of experience, Dr. Andrews has held leadership roles spanning retail and private optometric practice, managed vision care, and medical device manufacturing and distribution. Prior to joining VSP Vision, she served as Vice President of Marketing and Professional Affairs at CooperVision, where she oversaw marketing and professional affairs strategy for the Americas, including academic partnerships, advocacy initiatives, and professional education. She previously served as Executive Vice President of Professional Services at For Eyes Optical and held senior leadership roles with EyeMed Vision Care and LensCrafters.

A proud alumna of the Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. Andrews began her career as a practicing optometrist across a range of clinical environments, including private practice, multi‑unit ophthalmology, and LASIK co‑management. She completed her residency at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia.

“I am honored to receive the Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award from ASCO,” says Dr. Andrews. “Supporting ASCO’s mission—especially its efforts to elevate diverse perspectives and ensure more voices are represented in our profession—has been incredibly meaningful to me. I am grateful to the ASCO Board, my fellow optometrists, and the many colleagues I’ve had the privilege to partner with and help expand opportunities for optometry’s next generation.”

ASCO Student Award in Clinical Ethics
This annual national award, sponsored by Alcon, is available to optometry students during any point of their professional program at an ASCO-affiliated school or college of optometry in the United States and Canada. The application consists of an essay of up to 1,500 words describing any one of the following scenarios:

1. A patient-based case-study that the student encountered as part of their clinical learning experience.
2. A research-based case scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning experience.
3. A professional ethics-based scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning.

ASCO and the Ethics Educators SIG are pleased to announce Eliana Goncuian as the winner of the 2026 Student Award in Clinical Ethics. This annual national award provides the winner with a cash award of $1,000 and an acrylic engraved plaque.

Eliana is a student at Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University and is expected to graduate with her Doctor of Optometry degree this year. Her winning essay, “Bridging the Gaps: Ethical Advocacy for Patients with Disabilities,” will also be featured in an upcoming issue of the journal, Optometric Education.

“At Alcon, we are inspired by the next generation of optometrists who are not only advancing clinical excellence but also leading with integrity and purpose,” says Chad Zscherny, Director, Academic Development, U.S. Vision Care. “The ASCO Student Ethics Award highlights students who take on complex patient care decisions with thoughtful application of ethical principles, professional values, and relevant legal considerations. We are proud to support this award and celebrate future leaders who are shaping the profession through sound judgment, accountability, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right for their patients.”

Award winners will be acknowledged during ASCO’s Annual Business Meeting on June 17 in Phoenix. The Annual Business Meeting is open to all. Register to attend here.