The Texas Optometric Association is proud to announce the 2022 TOA Award Winners. Come support your fellow colleagues and congratulate them for their contributions to the state of Texas and Optometry.
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Jennifer Deakins McCreight, OD, FAAO
Fort Worth, TX
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The Optometrist of the Year award is intended to honor those optometrists whose labors exemplify the best traditions of unselfish service and devotion to the work of the profession. Dr. Jennifer Deakins has served the TOA as the chair of the Legal and Legislative Team since 2018. During that time, she has quarterbacked the team to a number of legislative victories, including the 2021 scope expansion victory. And, though this historic victory represents the culmination of years of relationships and grassroots efforts of many Texas ODs, Dr. Deakins's service and devotion to Texas Optometry makes her the ideal recipient of the 2022 Optometrist of the Year award.
Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Deakins, the 2022 TOA Optometrist of the Year!
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YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR |
The Young Optometrist of the Year is awarded to a TOA member optometrist 40 years of age or younger, who has rendered outstanding service in discharging the responsibilities of professional leadership on local, state or national levels; who has demonstrated by action the highest regard for the ethics and ideals of the TOA, and whose actions have reflected credit upon the profession of optometry.
Dr. Adam Cox, the 2022 recipient of this award, exemplifies these values. Dr. Cox has received numerous accolades for patient care from his professors during optometry school at UHCO, as well from as his patients in practice in his hometown of Atlanta, Texas. He maintains an active license in Texas and Louisiana, and cares for patients in both states. During the 2021 session, Dr. Cox testified before the Texas Legislature in support of optometry's training and capacity for patient care.
Congratulations to Dr. Adam Cox, the 2022 TOA Young Optometrist of the Year!
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Swati Modi, OD, FAAO
Houston, TX
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The TOA Educator of the Year award recognizes a faculty member from one of the two Texas optometry schools for their service and contribution to the profession. Dr. Swati Modi has been part of the UHCO faculty since 2001. During this time, she has served in roles of Service Director for the Center for Sight Enhancement and Residency Director of the Low Vision Rehabilitation residency program. She is a widely published author and sought-after speaker at major conferences. Additionally, Dr. Modi has served as President of the Harris County Optometric Society and has chaired multiple committees for UHCO and the American Academy of Optometry, as well as several community organizations for visually impaired persons in the Houston area.
Congratulations to Dr. Swati Modi, the 2022 TOA Educator of the Year!
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Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO
San Antonio, TX
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The Mollie Armstrong Leadership award honors an optometrist who has been in practice for at least 10 years and who has performed a significant public service for the visual welfare of others, educational institutions and organizations, research programs, and civic and community groups. The award is name for Mollie Armstrong, the first female president of the TOA. After service on the TOA Board of Trustees from 2012-2021, including serving the association on the Executive Committee, and as President in 2019-20, Dr. Sandra Fortenberry has continued to serve on the Association Support and Meetings Committees, coordinating quality CE courses for TOA events. She was recently named as the next Dean of the Rosenberg School of Optometry at the University of the Incarnate Word, a position she will fill in June 2022. She will become the first female Dean of an optometry school in Texas, and one of only a handful of women to hold such a position around the country.
Congratulations to Dr. Sandra Fortenberry, the 2022 TOA Mollie Armstrong Leadership Award Winner!
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Ceremony will take place at the TOA House of Delegates Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19, 2022 during the TOA Annual Summit located at the JW Marriott in Downtown Austin, TX.
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For more information on the TOA Summit click the link below. |
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