Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer-driven eye health and safety organization on a mission to fight blindness and save sight. 

Each year, Prevent Blindness awards exceptional individuals, groups, or organizations for their public health contributions and vision for change in the area of eye health. Currently, Prevent Blindness is calling for nominations for its two prestigious awards: the Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health and the Rising Visionary Award. 

Winners will be selected by an all-volunteer review committee and formally awarded at the 11th Annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit, held virtually on July 13-14, 2022.

About the Jenny Pomeroy Award

The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health recognizes important public health contributions in vision and eye health by an individual, group, or organization, from the community to international level. The award is a tribute to the memory of Jenny Pomeroy, who served as CEO of Prevent Blindness Georgia from 1996-2013 and was a strong advocate of public health and policy advancement in issues related to eye health and vision.

Last year’s winner was R.V. Paul Chan, M.D., M.Sc., MBA, FACS. Chan is head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The John H. Panton Professor of Ophthalmology, and Director of Pediatric Retina and Retinopathy of Prematurity Service at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

About the Rising Visionary Award

This year also marks the third annual Rising Visionary Award. This honor is presented to a U.S. student or resident in optometry, ophthalmology, primary healthcare, nursing, or other health profession with the best application and essay concerning the Focus on Eye Health National Summit theme. This year’s theme is Eye-conic Approaches to Eye Health.

Last year’s winner was Shervonne Poleon, a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the Vision Science Graduate Program.

Recognizing ‘Extraordinary Contributions to Eye and Vision Health’

In a statement, Prevent Blindness President and CEO Jeff Todd said, “Prevent Blindness is honored to recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to eye and vision health. If you or someone you know is creating positive change in the vision health of the public, we encourage you to submit a nomination or application today.”

Submission Deadline and Other Important Information

The deadline for submitting nominations and applications is February 4, 2022 at noon EST. 

• The Jenny Pomeroy Award recipient must be able to present virtually at the 2022 Focus on Eye Health National Summit on July 13 or 14, 2022 to receive their award. Click here to learn more about submission requirements and to download a 2022 nomination form. 
• The Rising Visionary Award recipient must also be able to present virtually at the 2022 Focus on Eye Health National Summit on July 13, 2022 to receive their award. Click here to learn more about submission requirements and to download application materials. 

Both awards include a formal acknowledgment and a commemorative plaque, along with an invitation for the winners to present their award-winning work at the Summit.

For additional information, contact Nita Sinha, director of Public Health, at 800-331-2020 or npatelsinha@preventblindness.org.

*Ophthalmology Times Staff. (2022, January 5). Prevent Blindness seeking nominees for Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, and Rising Visionary Award. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/prevent-blindness-seeking-nominees-for-2022-prevent-blindness-jenny-pomeroy-award-for-excellence-in-vision-and-public-health-and-rising-visionary-award