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Academy Awards Program
2021 and 2020 Award Recipients

2021 Laureate Recognition Awardee: Michael T. Trese, MD

2020 Laureate Recognition Awardee: George B. Bartley, MD
2021 Straatsma Awardee: Evan “Jake” Waxman, MD, PhD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Straatsma Award

Evan “Jake” Waxman, MD, PhD, celebrated for his outstanding accomplishments with the Straatsma Award

2021 Special Recognition Awardee: Young Ophthalmologist Committee

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Special Recognition Award

Write up for the Special Recognition Award- YO Committee

2021 Senior Achievement Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Senior Achievement Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Senior Achievement Award is given to individuals who earn 30 points for contributions made to the Academy, its scientific and educational programs and to ophthalmology.

2021 Secretariat Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Secretariat Award

The Secretariat Award is an annual award recognizing special contributions to the Academy and ophthalmology, as determined by Academy Senior Secretaries and Secretaries in their respective areas. It was created to increase opportunities for ophthalmologists to be recognized…

2021 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Awardee: Hunter Cherwek, MD

Nov 02, 2021 by Awards Committee in Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award

The Academy is privileged to honor Hunter Cherwek, MD, with the 2021 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award.

2021 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Awardee: Bradley K. Farris, MD

Nov 02, 2021 by Awards Committee in Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award

The Academy is privileged to honor Bradley K. Farris, MD, with the 2021 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award.

2021 Outstanding Advocate Awardee: Dorothy M. Moore, MD

Nov 08, 2021 by Awards Committee in Outstanding Advocate Award

The Academy is proud to honor Dorothy M. Moore, MD, with the 2021 Outstanding Advocate Award. This award recognizes Dr. Moore for her extensive and exceptional advocacy efforts to champion the health and well-being of children, their vision and their ocular health.

2021 Life Achievement Honor Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Life Achievement Honor Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Life Achievement Honor Award is given to individuals earning 60 points and approved by the Awards Committee and the Board of Trustees.

2021 Laureate Recognition Awardee: Michael T. Trese, MD

Oct 27, 2021 by Awards Committee in Laureate Recognition Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology proudly honors Michael T. Trese, MD as the recipient of the 2021 Laureate Recognition Award. This honor is awarded to individuals from around the world who have made exceptional contributions for the betterment of eye care, leading to th…

2021 International Scholar Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in International Scholar Award

The International Scholar Award recognizes international Academy members for their lifelong commitment to learning.

2021 International Education Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in International Education Award

The International Education Award recognizes international Academy members who pursue lifelong education in ophthalmology.

2021 Guests of Honor Awardee: Terri L. Young, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Guests of Honor

Write up for AAO 2021 Guest of Honor, Terri L. Young, MD

2021 Guests of Honor Awardee: Paul P. Lee, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Guests of Honor

Write up for the AAO 2020 Guest of Honor, Paul P. Lee, MD

2021 Guests of Honor Awardee: Don Liu, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Guests of Honor

Write up for the AAO 2021 Guest of Honor, Don Liu, MD

2021 EnergEYES Awardee: George L. Spaeth, MD, FACS

Jan 03, 2022 by Awards Committee in EnergEYES Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is pleased to announce George L. Spaeth, MD, as the 2021 EnergEYES Award recipient. This honor is awarded to an ophthalmologist who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills by energizing others to improve ophthalmology. This individual i…

2021 Distinguished Service Awardee: Jane A. Aguirre

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Distinguished Service Award

Write up for 2021 Distinguished Service Award Jane A. Aguirre

2021 Commitment to Advocacy Awardee

Jan 27, 2022 by Awards Committee in Commitment to Advocacy Award

This award recognizes an ophthalmology training department and its leadership for outstanding support of the Academy's Advocacy Ambassador Program.

2021 Artemis Awardee: Thomas V. Johnson III, MD

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Artemis Award

Thomas V. Johnson III, MD, has been awarded the Academy's 2021 Artemis Award for his ongoing efforts and passion for medical student and resident education in ophthalmology and helping the underserved populations in Baltimore City, Md. communities surrounding Johns Hopkins.

2021 Achievement Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Achievement Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Achievement Award program recognizes individuals who participate in the scientific programs at the annual meeting and encompasses more than 25 categories of contribution to the Academy.

2020 Straatsma Awardee: R. Michael Siatkowski, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Straatsma Award

R. Michael Siatkowski, MD, celebrated for his outstanding accomplishments with the Straatsma Award

2020 Special Recognition Awardee: American College of Surgeons

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Special Recognition Award

Write up for 2020 Special Recognition Award, American College of Surgeons

2020 Senior Achievement Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Senior Achievement Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Senior Achievement Award is given to individuals who earn 30 points for contributions made to the Academy, its scientific and educational programs and to ophthalmology.

2020 Secretariat Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Secretariat Award

The Secretariat Award is an annual award recognizing special contributions to the Academy and ophthalmology, as determined by Academy Senior Secretaries and Secretaries in their respective areas. It was created to increase opportunities for ophthalmologists to be recognized…

2020 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Awardee: Steve A. Arshinoff, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award

Dr. Steve A. Arshinoff received the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award for his long-term commitment to providing ophthalmic medical and surgical care to a very rural population in Northern Ontario, Canada, that would otherwise have great difficulty accessing this care.

2020 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Awardee: John E. Kempen, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award

Dr. John H. Kempen received the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award for his global leadership in shaping eye health policy and for devoting his energy and expertise in alleviating global blindness.

2020 Outstanding Advocate Awardee: Thomas L. Steinemann, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Outstanding Advocate Award

Dr. Thomas L. Steinemann received the Outstanding Advocate Award for advocating at the national level on behalf of patient safety, especially in the area of improper usage of cosmetic (decorative) contact lenses.

2020 Life Achievement Honor Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Life Achievement Honor Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Life Achievement Honor Award is given to individuals earning 60 points and approved by the Awards Committee and the Board of Trustees.

2020 Laureate Recognition Awardee: George B. Bartley, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Laureate Recognition Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology proudly honors George B. Bartley, MD as the recipient of the 2020 Laureate Recognition Award. This honor is awarded to individuals from around the world who have made exceptional contributions for the betterment of eye care, leading to t…

2020 International Scholar Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in International Scholar Award

The International Scholar Award recognizes international Academy members for their lifelong commitment to learning.

2020 International Education Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in International Education Award

The International Education Award recognizes international Academy members who pursue lifelong education in ophthalmology.

2020 International Blindness Prevention Awardee: Larry Schwab, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in International Blindness Prevention Award

2020 International Blindness Prevention Awardee Larry Schwab, MD

2020 Guests of Honor Awardee: M. Roy Wilson, MD, MS

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Guests of Honor

Write up for AAO 2020 Guest of Honor, M. Roy Wilson, MD, MS

2020 Guests of Honor Awardee: Bradley R. Straatsma, MD, JD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Guests of Honor

Write up for AAO 2020 Guest of Honor, Bradley R. Straatsma, MD, JD

2020 Guests of Honor Awardee: Bartly J. Mondino, MD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Guests of Honor

Write up for AAO 2020 Guest of Honor Award, Bartly J. Mondino,MD

2020 EnergEYES Awardee: Mildred M. G. Olivier, MD

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in EnergEYES Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is pleased to announce Mildred M. G. Olivier, MD as the 2020 EnergEYES Award recipient. This honor is awarded to an ophthalmologist who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills by energizing others to improve ophthalmology. This individu…

2020 Distinguished Service Awardee: Paul A. Sieving, MD, PhD

Oct 28, 2021 by Awards Committee in Distinguished Service Award

Write up for 2020 Distinguished Service Award Paul A. Sieving, MD, PhD

2020 Commitment to Advocacy Awardee

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Commitment to Advocacy Award

This award recognizes an ophthalmology training department and its leadership for outstanding support of the Academy's Advocacy Ambassador Program.

2020 Artemis Awardee: Jessica Shantha, MD

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Artemis Award

Jessica G. Shantha, MD, has been awarded the Academy's 2020 Artemis Award for her ongoing efforts in the medical and surgical care of Ebola survivors afflicted with sight-threatening uveitis and her dedication to addressing ophthalmic health disparities in sub-Saharan Africa…

2020 Achievement Award Recipients

Oct 29, 2021 by Awards Committee in Achievement Award

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Achievement Award program recognizes individuals who participate in the scientific programs at the annual meeting and encompasses more than 25 categories of contribution to the Academy.
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Awards Presented at the Annual Meeting
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes its members for several different types of achievements. These awards honor ophthalmologists in multiple stages of practice and for a range of activities, from humanitarian service and significant contributions to the profession, to mentorship and faithful volunteer service.

Opening Session

Recipients of the following awards attend the annual meeting as special guests of the Academy president and are recognized on stage during the Opening Session.

Laureate Recognition Award

Guests of Honor

Distinguished Service Award

Special Recognition Award

Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award

International Blindness Prevention Award

Outstanding Advocate Award

Straatsma Award

Other Events/Sessions

Recipients of the following awards are recommended by the Academy’s Senior Ophthalmologists and Young Ophthalmologists Committees and approved by the Board of Trustees. Awardees are recognized before their peers during annual meeting sessions developed by the respective committees.

Artemis Award

EnergEYES Award

Recognition Awards for Service and Education
The following awards recognize individuals for their contributions and volunteer activities that support the Academy and the profession. The international awards acknowledge and honor international members for their dedication to lifelong learning.

Commitment to Advocacy Award

Achievements Award Program

Secretariat Award

International Education Award

International Scholar Award

2021 and 2020 Award Recipients

Awards Presented at the Annual Meeting

Opening Session

Other Events/Sessions

Recognition Awards for Service and Education

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