NYSOA Awards

NEW YORK STATE OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR AWARD 

The NYSOA Optometrist of the Year Award is intended to recognize a deserving optometrist for performance of outstanding services on behalf of the profession and exemplary contributions to the visual welfare of the public.  The American Optometric Association recognizes a national Optometrist of the Year at its Annual Congress.  A State Association’s Optometrist of the Year may be nominated for national recognition. 

Past Recipients

1970s – 1990s

This award was presented for the first time in 1970 to Dr. Harold Greene.  The 1971 recipient was Congressman Donald J. Mitchell.  This award has also been presented to Dr. V. Peter Mastrorocco, Dr. Frank Field, Dr. Stephen S. Solomon, Dr. Richard Hobart, Dr. Harvey West, Dr. Paul Grattan, Dr. Robert Bloom, Dr. Alexander Crinzi, Dr. Alden N. Haffner, Dr. Earl Golden, and Dr. William T. Ling.  In 1987, the award was presented to Dr. Gerald Wexler; in 1988, to Dr. Allen H. Cohen; in 1989, to Dr. John Costello; in 1990, to Dr. Edward Cordes; in 1993, to Dr. Jesse Vics; in 1994, to Dr. Jerome Hurwitz and Dr. Saverio Blancato; and in 1995, to Gary Weiner, OD.  There was no Optometrist of the Year in 1996.  In 1997, the award went to Richard D. O’Connor, OD.  In 1998, the award went to Dave Jordan, OD.  George Janofsky, OD, received the award in 1999. 

NEW YORK STATE YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR AWARD 

Young optometrists often show outstanding leadership skills when serving their profession, their patients and their community.  The Young Optometrist of the Year Award is intended to recognize an optometrist who has been in practice for less than ten years and who demonstrates these abilities.  The American Optometric Association recognizes a national Young Optometrist of the Year at its Annual Congress.  A State Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year may be nominated for national recognition. 

Past Recipients

OPTOMETRIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD 

This award is given to an individual, preferably an optometrist, who has made an outstanding contribution to optometry, specifically in the fields of research, education, and academic distinction. 

Past Recipients

1970s – 1990s

The 1970 winner was the late Dr. Frederick W. Brock.  The 1971 winner was the late William Feinbloom. In 1972, we had two winners, Dr. William Ludlam and Dr. Mitchell Silbert.  The 1973 winners were Dr. Nathan Flax and Dr. J. Baxter Swartwout. In 1974, the award was presented to Dr. Irving Shapiro; in 1975, to Dr. Myron N. Weinstein; in 1976, to the late Dr. Ralph Tocher; in 1977, to Dr. Henry A. Knoll; in 1978, to Dr. Elliott Forrest; in 1979, to Dr. Allen H. Cohen; in 1980, to Dr. Martin Birnbaum; in 1981, to Dr. Maurice Poster; and in 1982, to Dr. Jerome Sherman. In 1983 we had four award winners: Dr. Allen Cohen, Dr. Steven Lieberman, Dr. Michael Ritty and Mr. Mark Stolzberg. In 1985, the award was presented to Dr. Irwin Suchoff; in 1987, to Dr. Robert Bannon; in 1988, to Dr. Norman Weiss; in 1989, to Mrs. Peg Lewis; in 1990, to Dr. Kenneth Ciuffreda; in 1991, to Dr. Harold Solan; in 1992, to Dr. Albert H. Shapiro; in 1993, to Mark Rosenfeld, Ph.D.; in 1994, to Dr. Philip Kruger; in 1995, to the New York Academy of Optometry; and in 1996 the award was presented to Dr. Stephen Solomon. In 1997, the award went to Dr. J. James Thimons.  In 1998, the award went to Dr. Siret Janus. Jay Cohen, O.D. received the award in 1999.