Hindsight_54_2_FINAL.pdf


32 Volume 54, Number 2, Fall 2023

UPDATE FROM FORMER 
OPTOMETRIC HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY BOARD MEMBER

October 20, 2023 Lakemont, GA USA

From: BILL SHARPTON, O.D. - Former member of the Optometric 
Historical Society Board

I am now 85, having given up my Georgia License back in 2020.

The late Dr. Irving P. Bennett is responsible for my being on the 
Board in the first place. He passed on a few years back and was like 
a father to me for many years. I still correspond with his children.

I recently had heart surgery and a "stent" implanted to get more 
oxygen to my system. It was successful, and I am now in rehab 
with a couple of months to go.

I will likely offer to submit an article to you in the next few years 
that I hope will educate younger OD's that the privileges that 
they enjoy were not easily gained. So many who have passed 
did so much to literally change our profession which resulted in 
optometry being on a more even level with ophthalmology and 
now respected more as a profession than ever before.

2024 “BLAST FROM THE PAST” 
CHALLENGE

The Optometric Historical 
Society invites all optometry 
students to submit an entry 
about an influential person, 

event, or development in Optometry History in any form of media. 
The top three finalists will present during an hour long virtual Blast 
from the Past education event that will take place during the first 
week of May 2024 in the evening.

The application and a full list of requirements can be found at 
aoafoundation.org. Go to the programs drop down and visit the 

Optometric Historical Society’s Blast from the Past Challenge page 
for more information.

OPTOMETRY’S FUND FOR 
DISASTER RELIEF

Optometry’s Fund for Disaster 
Relief has changed the lives of many 
optometrists by providing immediate 
financial relief for critical and urgent 
needs, such as food, clothing, 
and shelter.

Disasters are unpredictable and can be life-altering; it is our 
goal to ensure that the fund is always poised and ready to help, so 
doctors can get back to doing what they do best – providing eye 
and vision care to their community.

Doctors and students who have property damage to 
their home or practice can apply for a disaster relief grant 
at aoafoundation.org/ofdr.

2024 OPTOMETRY CARES 
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP 
WINNERS

Congratulations to our 
2024 Scholarship Winners!

Dr. Larry J. Alexander 
Scholarship - Meagan 
Seufert from Pacific 
University College of Optometry

Dr. Seymour Galina Scholarship - Shawn Matsumoto from 
State University of New York College of Optometry

Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship - Faye Nie from Southern 
California College of Optometry

NEWS
10.14434/hindsight.v54i2.37203

Student
Scholarships