2. Dr. John Flanagan accepting the Paul Yarwood Memorial Award.
3. Dr. A. Mika Moy (Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs) and Alin Torosian (third-year optometry student).
4. Dr. Alfred Vong, OD, FAAO (Assistant Clinical Professor and optometry class of 2015 alum).
The California Optometric Association (COA) met for its annual House of Delegates in Santa Clara from February 7-8, 2025. At the meeting, COA members from all optometric societies and all the California optometry schools voted on the COA proposed budget and reports, bylaws amendments, and proposed policy resolutions. Many of our alumni and faculty from the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science claimed awards and leadership positions on the COA Board of Trustees.
Congratulations to:
Paul Yarwood Memorial Award
Dr. John G. Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, FARVO
Educator of the Year
Dr. Meredith M. Whiteside, OD, FAAO
Young OD of the Year
Dr. Alfred Vong, OD, FAAO
George I. Deane Jr, OD Memorial Leadership Award
Alin Torosian, Class of 2026
We would also like to recognize our three alumni serving on the COA Board of Trustees:
Dr. Christopher Gee, OD – Immediate Past President
Dr. Mika Moy, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO – Secretary Treasurer
Dr. Brandon Friedman, OD – Trustee
Also, a special thank you to all of the students for their advocacy efforts!
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