Awards & Grants

The Mertz New Educator Travel Award originated in 2003 when AOCLE, at the annual meeting, elected to honor Dr. George Mertz for his strong support of optometric education. Earlier that year Dr. Mertz had unexpectedly passed away too early. George had been very active in his support of AOCLE as well as other educational initiatives in his role heading up the Academic Affairs Department for Vistakon.
In honor of Dr. George Mertz, AOCLE funds the travel and meeting expenses of one new contact lens educator to attend the annual AOCLE meeting and workshop. The nominated educator must have a significant role in the contact lens program at the affiliated school or college of optometry and have not attended an AOCLE workshop previously. An application supporting an educator’s nomination should be prepared by the contact lens clinic chief from that person’s school or college. The executive committee then selects candidates to receive the award. See attachment for more information.

Eligibility Information

The Harue J. Marsden New Educator Travel Award was established by AOCLE in 2017 to honor Dr. Harue Marsden, a dedicated member of the association and Professor and Associate Dean of Clinical Education at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. Following her passing after a long battle with cancer, the award was created to recognize her contributions and support new contact lens educators. It funds travel and meeting expenses for one educator to attend their first AOCLE meeting and workshop, providing opportunities to network with faculty from optometry schools across North America. Nominees must play a significant role in their institution’s contact lens program and have not previously attended an AOCLE workshop. Nominations are submitted by the contact lens clinic chief, and recipients are selected by the AOCLE Executive Committee

Eligibility Information

The AOCLE Memorial Award was established in 2021 to honor the memories of all the AOCLE leaders who are no longer with us.  This travel grant award is to be presented annually to a young contact lens optometric educator of the AOCLE who has demonstrated potential leadership in contact lens education. One application per school, must be first time AOCLE workshop attendee.

Eligibility Information

This award was established by AOCLE in 2007 to honor Dr. Lester E. Janoff, an exceptional optometric educator, administrator, contact lens clinician and researcher. His professional career encompassed private practice, contact lens research for industry, and contact lens education at three optometry schools (Pennsylvania College of Optometry, New England College of Optometry and Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry). He was a Diplomate in the Cornea and Contact lens Section of the American Academy of Optometry and Associate Dean of NSUCO. Most importantly, this award was established to honor the memory of a beloved optometric mentor and friend.
This award is presented to an AOCLE member who has demonstrated excellence in the area of contact lens-related publications, contact lens education, and research. The criteria for the award include publications in refereed journals, textbooks or textbook chapters, and active participation in AOCLE events, past or present. Ideally, the recipient will show a broad range of contributions in the above areas with accomplishments that have had a positive impact upon our profession. Nominations should be submitted electronically to Dr. Eva Duchnowski at educhnowski@sunyopt.edu.

Eligibility Information

This award is presented by the AOCLE to an optometric educator who has demonstrated exemplary commitment and dedication to the organization over numerous years. This award is not presented annually. Nominations will be considered by the Executive committee. See attachment for criteria.

Eligibility Information

The AOCLE supports a faculty development program for contact lens (CL) faculty at the North American Schools & Colleges of Optometry. The purpose of the program is to:

• Encourage the development of CL faculty or CL programs for AOCLE member institutions
• Enhance the CL experience of optometry students in clinics or class
• Increase the use of AOCLE faculty members as a resource for faculty or program development between CL programs at AOCLE member institutions

Eligibility Information