Douglas W. Hopkins Primary Care Residency Award


2012 Hopkins Awardee L.A. Lossing with Roberta Hopkins her daughter, Alysia Holwerda, and members of the Primary Care Section.

Purpose

Doug and Roberta HopkinsResidency training is becoming an increasingly important aspect of optometric training. A post-OD residency program significantly advances a graduate's preparation as an eye-care provider and provides additional experiences in instruction and scholarship. Many schools and colleges of optometry now require residency training as a basic prerequisite for new clinical faculty.

The Douglas Hopkins Residency Award is intended to promote the practice and development of the field of Primary Care Optometry by providing incentive and support to talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education in primary care.

Eligibility

Any optometrist currently serving (2012 – 2013) in a primary care/family practice residency through an accredited school, college of optometry or veterans administration facility may apply. Anyone who has yet to begin a residency or who has already completed their residency by the deadline is ineligible.

Application Procedure

Applicants should read an article by Dr. Hopkins http://journals.lww.com/optvissci/toc/2006/01000 and then write a one-page essay on the importance of primary care to optometry and  their future as a primary care optometrist.

The application must also include:

  1. Cover page that list applicant name,any degrees,  facility of residency, optometric institution under which serving residency, current and permanent address information, email and phone contact information.
  2. The applicant’s education, clinical, research, and teaching experience, typically in the form of a CV.
  3. A brief description of the residency program and the names and email addresses of the three people you have contacted to submit letters of recommendation*.
  4. A one-page statement of career goals plus a brief statement indicating if you are student member of the American Academy of Optometry or what is your timeline for becoming a Fellow.
  5. *Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on educational qualifications, research abilities, and potential.  One of which must be the Residency Director or Program Coordinator of the Institution. These should be emailed separately by the recommender.

The Deadline for this award is March 29, 2013.

Applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically (preferably as a PDF file) to Tracy Kitts, Foundation Coordinator:  AOF@aaoptom.org.

Please include "Hopkins Residency Award" and applicants last name in the subject line.

Review Procedures

Applications will be reviewed and a selection made by the American Academy of Optometry’s Primary Care Section, or another group selected by the AOF Board. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their educational background, their ability, and their potential.

Award Level and Payment

The Douglas Hopkins Residency Award is $2,000 plus one $750 travel fellowship to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in October 2013 in Seattle, contingent on the individual sitting for their fellowship exam. One award will be granted.

For additional information contact Tracy Kitts, Foundation Coordinator, at: 321-710-3936 or AOF@aaoptom.org.

April 12, 2012    

AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FIRST DOUGLAS HOPKINS RESIDENCY AWARD

Lossing selected as First Hopkins Residency Award Recipient – Laura Ashley “L.A.” Lossing , OD, MS, primary care resident at White River Junction Veterans Administration, VT and 2011 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, has been selected by the American Optometric Foundation as the recipient of the first Douglas W. Hopkins Primary Care Residency Award.

The award is intended to promote the practice and development of the field of Primary Care Optometry by providing incentive and support to talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education in primary care. L.A.’s commitment to developing a positive working relationship within the optometric community with a focus on patient-centered care, her history of volunteer service and activity within professional organizations made her an excellent choice from among 25 applicants to be the first recipient of this honor. L.A. will receive a $2,000 award and a travel fellowship to attend the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in Phoenix in October.

Douglas W. Hopkins, OD, FAAO, a leader with the Primary Care Section and the Academy passed unexpectedly in 2007. Friends and colleagues of Doug established the Douglas W. Hopkins Primary Care Fellowship Fund in his honor. Over $80,000 was donated, including $40,000 from Doug’s widow, Roberta.

For further information, contact:
Tracy Kitts
Foundation Coordinator
American Optometric Foundation
321-710-3936
AOF@aaoptom.org