The Distinguished Service Award honors an individual or organization for ongoing notable service to ophthalmology and the Academy. The president has the honor of selecting the recipient of this award, who is then approved by the Board of Trustees. Recipients attend the Annual Meeting as guests of the Academy. Their attendance allows the Academy to formally present their award during the opening ceremonies.

The Board of Trustees approved Dr. C.P. Wilkinson's choices of honored guests who will be formally recognized at the opening ceremony at the New Orleans Annual Meeting.

2007
Ophthalmic State Society Legislative Committee Chairs

Past Recipients of the Distinguished Service Award:

2006
Volunteers of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology

2005
Lions Foundations of the United States

2004
Stephen J. Ryan, MD

2003
J. Donald M. Gass MD
Mr. Gavin S. Herbert

2002
National Eye Institute Ophthalmic Journals: American Journal of Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, OPHTHALMOLOGY

2001
William S. Tasman, MD
B. Thomas Hutchinson, MD

2000
Mr. Edgar H. Schollmaier