The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has awarded Dr. Herbert Wertheim ASCO’s inaugural Herbert Wertheim Award, affectionately called “The Herbie.” Dr. Wertheim received his award in October 2022 during a special recognition reception in San Diego during the American Academy of Optometry’s annual conference.
The Herbert Wertheim Award recognizes remarkable individuals or organizations that have accomplished high-impact, ground-breaking, and innovative programs or initiatives, and contributed substantially, or have the potential to sustainably address, eye and vision health and/or the social determinants of eye health and vision care, at the local, national, or global level.
“We are honored to not only recognize and praise Dr. Wertheim for his remarkable inventions and his unparalleled support of optometric education, including his remarkable donation to the University of California – Berkeley’s School of Optometry. He is such an icon and we are pleased to name this award after him,” says Dr. Melissa Trego, ASCO President. “Dr. Wertheim’s passion for optometry, it’s past, present, and future, will forever be evident as we continue his legacy through future ‘Herbie’ recipients.”
“I’m highly honored to be the recipient of this very special recognition award that is named after me for my contributions to optometry while emphasizing the need for enhanced education for the preservation of vision worldwide. This is a wonderful and needed calling that will enhance the lives of tens of thousands, if not millions, of patients who will need professional optometric vision and eye health evaluations and treatments throughout their lifetimes. This is a profession I am proud to be a part of and encourage any young person who is considering helping to make the world a better place to choose the optometric profession as a career choice,” says Dr. Wertheim, a worldwide clinician, educator and researcher.
About ASCO
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) advances optometric education and research to enhance the health and well-being of the public. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Rockville, MD, ASCO is committed to achieving excellence in optometric education and to helping its member institutions prepare well-qualified graduates for entrance into the profession of optometry. Its membership encompasses the schools and colleges of optometry in the United States. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate and associate members.
Read more about Dr. Wertheim. below
Dr. Wertheim’s Visit The Wertheim Gift