NJSOP's Present and Past!

Congratulations 2023 Award Winners!

2023 Celebrations

E.C. Nurock Award - Dr. Daniel Desrivieres
This top lifetime achievement award is given to that outstanding optometrist, who for a continuous period of several years has rendered outstanding service to this profession, colleagues, and the community.

Optometrist of the Year Award - Dr. Kathleen Kinzley
An award acknowledging an outstanding practitioner with proven involvement and concern for their patients, the profession and the community.

Public Service Award - Assemblyman Daniel Benson
This award recognizes contributions to the visual welfare of the people of New Jersey.

Young Optometrist of the Year Award - Dr. Jessica Garden
An award acknowledging active involvement on an NJSOP Committee or Project.
(Young OD is defined as within 10 years from OD degree.)

Dr. Paul Berman Distinguished Service Award - Dr. Kelley Sedlock
An award acknowledging service for and on behalf of NJSOP.

Scientific Achievement Award - Dr. Maria Richman
an award acknowledging achievement in the development of new optometric procedures or instrumentality, or in optometrically related research, scientific teachings, or writings.

Presidential Chairperson of the Year Award - Legislative Committee Chair, Dr. Mike Veliky

Presidential Special Recognition Award for Advocacy Accomplishments - Dr. Chris Quinn

Presidential Special Recognition Award for Student Leaders - Diellnor Abduramani (SUNY)
and Viral Shah (SALUS)

Outgoing President's Award - Dr. Jesús Barrios

NJSOP's History

The NJSOP has a history dating back to 1903. See just how far we've come, here.

Past Presidents
Association By Laws
Antitrust Compliance Policy
NJSOP Awards History
Strategic Plan

Past Presidents

1903 - Dr. F.C. Leaming (Trenton)

1904 - Dr. George Applegate (Trenton)

1905 – Dr. F.H. Hewlett (Patterson)

1906 – Dr. L.B. Hilborn (Newark)

1907 – Dr. R.G. Smith (Jersey City)

1908 - Dr. J. J. Hartman (Newark)

1909 – 11 – Dr. L.A. Rochat (Jersey City)

1912 - Dr. C. J. Brotherly (Newark)

1913 – Dr. F.C. Leaming (Trenton)

1914 – 15 – Dr. H. Berman (Jersey City)

1916 – 17 – Dr. P.A. Bourke (Paterson)

1918 – Dr. W.B. Reilly (Asbury Park)

1920 – Dr. George Fitzsimmons (Passaic)

1921 – Dr. James Bergen (Paterson)

1922 – Dr. J.E. Jaekle (Jersey City)

1923 – Dr. C. J. Brotherly (Newark)

1924 – 25 – Dr. Joseph Salov (Newark)

1926 – Dr. J. Otis Wheeler (Salem)

1927 – Dr. Anson Ball (Dover)

1928 – 29 – Dr. John Knoblock (West New York)

1930 – 31 – Dr. Charles W. Casper (Newark)

1932 – Dr. Joseph F. Heine (Asbury Park)

1933 – Dr. Jarles Jacknowitz (Union City)

1934 – 35 – Dr. Earl H. Ridgeway (Trenton)

1936 – 37 – Dr. Albert Gaal (Irvington)

1938 – 39 – Dr. Benjamin M. Wilson (Trenton)

1940 – 41 – Dr. Walter Oelschlager (Newark)

1942 – Dr. Harold Simmerman (Pitman)

1943 – 45 – Dr. Harry Ehrlich (New Brunswick)

1946 – Dr. Emanuel C. Nurock (Trenton)

1947 – Dr. John J. Brown (Perth Amboy)

1948 - ???

1949 – 50 – Dr. Harold Bookstaber (????)

1951 – Dr. S. Benjamin Sobel (Clifton)

1952 – 53 – Dr. Philip Jackman (Hackensack

1954 – 55 – Dr. George McEaney (Asbury Park)

1956 – 58 – Dr. Paul Ellin (Paterson)

1959 – 60 – Dr. Theodore Altschuler (????)

1961 – 62 – Dr. Herbert L. Moss (Woodbridge)

1963 – 64 – Dr. Rovert H. Maclead (Morris Plains)

1964 – 66 – Dr. Leslie C. Mintz (Passaic)

1967 – Dr. Sidney M. Goldstein (Bridgeton)

1968 – 69 – Dr. Mario P. Constantin (Trenton)

1970 – 71 – Dr. Mario J. Pallotta (Glen Rock)

1972 – 73 – Dr. Harvey A. Wilson (Trenton)

1974 – 75 – Dr. Charles S. Papier (Pennington)

1976 – Dr. Arnold Klein (Clifton)

1977 – Dr. Samuel Krantzow (Passaic)

1978 – Dr. Roy Soloff (Atlantic City)

1979 – 80 – Dr. Kenneth Brehne (Old Bridge)

1981 – 82 – Dr. Barry Schneider (Manalapan)

1983 – Dr. Stanley Roever (Clifton)

1984 – 85 – Dr. Burnett Eglow – Hasbrouck Heights

1986 – 87 – Dr. Jay DeMesquita (Pennsauken)

1988 – 89 - Dr. Larry Fuerman (Atlantic City)

1989 – 90 – Dr. Stanley Ravine (Wall Township)

1991 – 92 – Dr. Markus Barth (Lawrenceville)

1993 – 94 – Dr. Harvey Wolbransky (Camden)

1995 – 96 – Dr. Leonard Steiner (Oakhurst)

1997 – 98 – Dr. Randolph Brooks ( Ledgewood)

1999 – 2000 – Dr. Thomas F. Dorrity, Jr. (Belleville)

2001 – 02 – Dr. Christopher Quinn (Iselin)

2002 - 03 - Dr. Richard J. Favreau (Franklin)

2003 – 04 - Dr. Daniel Desrivieres (Orange)

2004 – 05 - Dr. Kimberly K. Friedman (Moorestown)

2005 – 06 - Dr. Leonard J. Press (Fairlawn)

2006 – 07 - Dr. Michael J. Veliky (Rochelle Park)

2008 – 09 - Dr. Harvey B. Richman (Manasquan)

2009 – 10 - Dr. Michael J. Siegel (Ledgewood)

2010 – 11- Dr. Charles H. Fitzpatrick (Cherry Hill)

2011 – 12 -Dr. William R. Marcolini (Iselin)

2012 - 13- Dr. Rodolfo L. Rodriguez (North Bergen)

2013 – 14- Dr. Maria S. Richman (Manasquan)

2014 – 15- Dr. Edward W. Harmer (Carteret)

2015 – 16- Dr. George W. Veliky (Iselin)

2016 – 17- Dr. William J. Ference (Pompton Plains)

2017- 18- Dr. Kenneth Daniels (Hopewell)

2018 - 19- Dr. Susan D'Emic (Red Bank)

2019 - 20- Dr. Ray Corbin-Simon (Piscataway)

2020 - 21- Dr. Trinae Rosato (Alpha)

2021 - 22- Dr. Todd Gershenow ( Middletown)

2022 - 23 - Dr. Jesús Barrios (Green Brook)

NJSOP Constitution/Bylaws - click here to download PDF

As Revised 12/14/2022 -- Member login required.

Guidelines

DON'Ts

Do Not--in fact or appearance--discuss or exchange information with actual or potential competitors regarding any of the following matters, either at NJSOP or Local Society sponsored meetings or social gatherings:
1. Individual company prices, price changes, price differentials, mark-ups, discounts, warranties, allowances, credit terms, costs, production levels, capacity, sales, etc.
2. Plans of individual companies concerning the design, production, distribution or marketing of particular products, including proposed territories or customers.
3. Division or limitation of sales to particular territories, customers or classes of customers.
4. Refusal to sell to or purchase from, or termination or modification of sales or purchase arrangements with representatives, distributors, or other third parties, or prices or terms of sale or resale by customers.
5. Industry pricing policies, price levels, price changes, differentials and/or changes in industry production, capacity or inventories.
6. Matters relating to actual or potential individual suppliers or customers that might exclude them from any market or of influencing the business conduct of firms toward such suppliers or customers.
7. Limiting or eliminating competition in any way, or efforts to create a monopoly.
Do not discuss or exchange information regarding the above matters during social gatherings incidental to NJSOP or Local Society sponsored meetings, even in jest.
Do not meet without Local Society leaders or counsel present.

DOs

Before meetings, prepare and have counsel review agendas of particular items to be discussed at meetings and adhere to the agenda unless additional matters for discussion have been approved in advance by NJSOP or Local Society leaders or counsel.
Ensure that draft meeting minutes are promptly prepared after each meeting, reviewed by counsel, and then circulated to members present at the meeting to determine that the minutes accurately reflect the proceedings.
Protest any discussions or meeting activities which appear to violate the antitrust laws or the NJSOP Antitrust Compliance Policy and Guidelines; disassociate yourself from any such discussions or activities and leave any meeting in which they continue. Be sure that NJSOP staff and counsel are made aware of any such activities.
Provide Local Society leaders and staff with a copy of this checklist and have a copy available for reference at all Local Society sponsored meetings.

NJSOP CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Each year, the NJSOP president appoints a Nominations Committee pursuant to the NJSOP bylaws, which has historically doubled as the NJSOP Award Committee. The NJSOP Bylaws indicate that The Committee on Nominations shall be appointed by the President three months prior to the Congress or General Membership Meeting and shall consist of at least one (1) member in good standing from each affiliated local society and three (3) Past Presidents, one of whom will be appointed chairperson.

The 2024 Call for names is open through October 18, 2024. After October 18th, the Nominations Committee will meet to discuss and grant awards with nominations solicited from the full NJSOP membership - Dr. E.C. Nurock, Optometric Physician of the Year, Dr. Paul Berman Distinguished Service, Young OD of the Year, Paraoptometric of the Year Award, and the Public Service Award. NJSOP will present an open slot for an award topic and recipient suggestion for consideration. The award suggestion should be focused on eye/vision care and/or optometrists. The Nominations Committee may consider the new suggestions for the year’s awards.

SUBMIT A NAME TODAY! (submissions by NJSOP members only)

When submitting a name, please consider diversity of work setting, geographic location, practice modality, career stage, and background. Submissions should include the award nominee’s name and a written submission rationale statement for the nomination (up to 500 words). Award winners will be selected and presented at the end of 2024.

NJSOP AWARD RECIPIENTS

COMPLETE LISTING
1968 - Present

Young Optometrist of the Year

Special Recognition Award (Student Leader or Other)

President's Award (Immediate Past President)

Presidential Special Recognition Award (Short Term Projects)

This award was established to permit the President to recognize the accomplishments of an individual or group on a short-term project.

Recipients

1982 -- Dr. Barry Schneider
1983 -- Dr. Stanley Roever
1984 -- Dr. Sanford Kaps
1984 -- Dr. Louis Friedner
1985 -- Dr. Jack & Mrs. Sylvia Goldstein [State SYVW Chairpersons]
1986 -- Drs. Larry Fuerman & Ed Campell [Third Party Co-Chairs]
1987 -- Dr. Harvey Wolbransky [Insurance Committee]
1988 -- Dr. Leonard Steiner [Delegation Task Force]
1989 -- *** NONE ***
1990 -- Dr. Scott Fuerman [Legislative Efforts]
1990 -- Dr. Richard Shuster [Legislative Efforts]
1990 -- Dr. Randolph Brooks [Legislative Efforts]
1990 -- Dr. Steven Starkman [Legislative Efforts]
1991 -- *** NONE ***
1992 -- SUNY College of Optometry [Drs. Barresi & Thimons on TPA]
Pennsylvania College of Optometry [Drs. Lewis & DiStefano on TPA]
Richard Witlin, MD [Work on behalf of TPA bill]
Harold Kreiger, Esq.[Work on behalf of TPA bill]
Dr. Herbert Bell [Oldest Contributor to Governor's Desk]
Mr. William Davidson [President, UVCBS]
1993 -- Dr. Richard Favreau [VISION USA Chair]
1994 -- * * * NONE * * *
1995 -- Dr. Michael Newman [CL Sem Chair '91-'94]
1996 -- Dr. S. Moshe Roth [MPC Speaker's Bureau]
1997 -- Dr. Kimberly Friedman [MPC Service]
1998 -- Dr. Larry Wallis [Legislative Efforts on Hospital Privileges Bill]
1999 -- Drs. Harvey & Maria Richman [Work with VT Task Force/Low Vision]
2000 -- Dr. Leonard Steiner [PCO Alumni Award] & Dr. James Washington [ICO Alumni Award]
2001 -- Dr. Daniel Desrivieres [Candidacy to the NJ General Assembly]
2002 -- Dr. Thomas F. Dorrity, Jr. [Executive Director Search Committee]
2003 -- Dr. Douglas Grayson [Legislative Efforts with the Optometric Credentialing Bill]
2004 – Dr. .Markus I. Barth; The Torok Group and Winning Strategies [Legislative Efforts with Orals Bill]
2005 – *** NONE ***
2006 – Dr. Kimberly K. Friedman [Oral Pharmaceutical Certification Coursework Preparation]
2007 – NJSOP Staff [Administration of the Oral Pharmaceutical Certification Courses)
2008 – Dr. Kimberly Friedman [Service as Continuing Education Chair]
2009 – Dr. Bruce Meyer [Special Olympics]
2010 – Dr. Randolph Brooks [Service to NJSOP and AOA President 2009-10]
2011 – Dr. Christopher Quinn [Support to NJSOP]
2012 – *** NONE ***
2013 - *** NONE ***
2014 – Dr. Larry C. Wallis [Service to NJSOP 1983-2013]
2015 – Dr. William R. Marcolini [Therapy By the Sea Chairperson]
2016 - ***NONE***
2017 -- Dr. William Marcolini [Outgoing Therapy by the Sea Chairperson]
2018 -- Dr. Saysha Blazier, Dr. Chelsea Kleen, Dr. David Kong, Dr. Tamara Petrosyan [United in Possiblities Membership Growth Initiative] Mr. Howard Cooper [NJSOP Executive Director]
2019 - Dr. Maria S. Richman [Legislative Leadership in Support of Children's Vision]
2020 - Dr. Norman Einhorn (posthumously) [Contributions to the Profession]
2021 - Dr. Frank Barnes [Recognition of contributions to the profession]
2022 - Congressman Albio Sires

Chairperson of the Year (NJSOP Committees)

This award permits the President to recognize the outstanding contributions of the single, most valuable or most effective Committee Chairperson of an ongoing NJSOP Committee.

Recipients

1975 -- Dr. Sidney Newman [Congress Committee]
1976 -- Dr. Norbert Kastner [COE Committee]
1977 -- Dr. Kenneth B. Brehne
1978 -- Dr. Barry Schneider [Finance Committee]
1979 -- Dr. Harold Wiener [Developmental Vision Committee]
1980 -- Dr. Errol Rummel [Consumer Communications]
1981 -- Dr. Michael Newman [Contact Lens Committee]
1982 -- Dr. Burnett Eglow [Finance Committee]
1983 -- Dr. Edward Campell [Insurance Committee]
1984 -- Dr. Larry Fuerman [Finance Committee]
1985 -- Dr. Leonard Strulowitz [Contact Lens Committee]
1986 -- Dr. Markus Barth [Group Buying Advisory Committee]
1987 -- Dr. Larry Wallis [Legislative Committee]
1988 -- Dr. Harold Wiener [VT Discrimination]
1989 -- Dr. Harvey Wolbransky [HMOs/Provider Groups]
1990 -- Dr. Richard Shuster [Primary Care Section]
1991 -- Dr. Richard Frankel [Chair, Marketing Committee]
1992 -- *** NONE ***
1993 -- Dr. Suzanne Offen [Chair, External & Public Affairs Center]
1994 -- Dr. F. Lawrence Vernamonti [Chair, Clinical Care Center & Congress CE]
1995 -- Dr. Leonard Steiner [Chair, MPC & Congress Committees]
1996 -- Dr. Thomas F. Dorrity, Jr.
1997 -- Dr. Randolph Brooks [Chair, ECBC]
1998 -- Dr. Joseph Miele [President, ECQA]
1999 -- Dr. Kimberly Fiedman [Winter CE & TBTS Convention]
2000 -- Drs. Harvey and Maria Richman [Low Vision Committee]
2001 -- Dr. David Mellish [NJOPAC]
2002 -- Dr. Michael Veliky [Clinical Care Center]
2003 -- Dr. Charles Fitzpatrick [Eye Care Benefits Center]
2004 -- Dr. Larry C. Wallis [Legislative Committee]
2005 – Dr. Moshe Roth [VT Task Force]
2006 – Dr. Michael Siegel [Finance Committee]
2007 – Dr. William Marcolini [Industry Relations Committee]
2008 – Dr. Maria S. Richman [Clinical Care Center]
2009 - *** NONE ***
2010 – Dr. Larry C. Wallis [Legislative Committee]
2011 – Dr. Michael Tortorici [Member Recruitment & Benefits Center]
2012 – Dr. Jonathan I. Fishbein [Third Party Center]
2013 – Dr. Tamara Petrosyan [VT Task Force and InfantSee Program]
2014 - *** NONE ***
2015 – Dr. Michael J. Veliky [Legislative Committee]
2016 – Dr. Trinae Rosato [Clinical Care Center]
2017 - Dr. Kenneth Daniels [Member Recruitment and Benefits Center]
2018 - Dr. Charles Fitzpatrick [NJ Diabetic Eye Health Alliance]
2019 - Dr. David Kong [Member Recruitment & Benefits Center]
2020 - Dr. George Veliky [Clinical Care Center & Industry Relations Committee]
2021 - Dr. Kathleen Kinzley [NJOPAC & YOD Task Force]

Communications Award

Special Purpose Award (Nominations/Awards Committee - Short Term Project)

This award was established to permit the Nominations/Awards Committee to recognize the accomplishments of an individual or organization on a short-term project.

Recipients

1979 -- Camden Optometric Clinic
1979 -- David Knowlton [Executive Director]
1983 -- David Morrison, M.D.[Legislative Efforts]
1984 -- Mrs. Doe Manning [President, Auxiliary]
1985 -- Dr. Markus Barth [Chairman, Group Buying Project] & Dr. Larry Wallis [Legislative Co-Chairman]
1986 -- *** NONE ***
1987 -- James Fleischman, M.D. [Legislative Efforts]
1988 -- *** NONE ***
1989 -- *** NONE ***
1990 -- Dr. Christopher Quinn [Service to Board of Directors]
1990 -- Dr. Thomas Dorrity [Service to Board of Directors]
1990 -- Dr. Lauren Scharf-Snyder [Chair, Membership Committee]
1991 -- Dr. Harvey Wolbransky [HMO & Insurance Issues]
1991 -- Dr. Suzanne Offen [Literacy Program]
1991 -- Dr. Larry Levine [Vision USA Program]
1992 -- Dr. Leonard Steiner [Bill drafting & TPA zealot]
1993 -- Dr. F. L. Vernamonti [Congress & ECBC] & Dr. Sheldon Greenspan [OPAC Chair]
1994 -- Dr. Leonard Press [VT Task Force] & Dr. Randolph Brooks [VT Task Force]
1995 -- Dr. Margaret Ritterbusch [Congress & CL Sem]
1996 -- Dr. Alan Ross [ECBC/ECQA]
1997 -- Dr. David Mellish [Service to OPAC]
1998 -- ***NONE***
1999 -- Dr. Bruce Meyer [Special Olympics]
2000 -- Dr. Thomas F. Dorrity, Jr. [Chapter Author-AOA Book on Ethics]
2001 -- Dr. Larry C. Wallis [Legislative Committee]
2002 -- Dr. Marc Taub [Centennial Committee]
2003 -- *** NONE ***
2004 – Dr. Michael Veliky
2005 – Drs. Leonard Press and Michael Siegel [Infant See Program]
2006 – Dr. Harvey Richman & Dr. Maria Richman [Low Vision and Infant Wet Labs]
2007 – Dr. Charles H. Fitzpatrick [PQRI]
2008 – Bryan D. Markowitz [Years of Service as Executive Director]
2009 – Dr. Michael Siegel [Educating the Membership on Board Certification]
2010 – Dr. William Ference [VT Task Force and Dr. Leslie Mintz Scholarship Fund Golf Outing]
2011 – Drs. Rodolfo Rodriguez & William Marcolini [Contribution to the Board Cert. Review Seminars]
2012 – Dr. Sergio H. Peneiras [Contribution to the New O.D. Seminar]
2013 - *** NONE ***
2014 – Drs. S. Moshe Roth & Trinae S. Rosato [Contribution to the Mentor Program]
2015 – Dr. Harvey B. Richman [ICD-10 Liaison]
2016 - 2022 ***NONE***

Meritorious Service Award (Staff/Advisors)

Journalism Award

New Use of Media Award

Public Service Award

This award represents NJSOP's recognition of the contributions of a person or an organization to the visual welfare of the people of New Jersey.

Recipients

1972 -- George F. Kugler, Jr. [State Attorney General]
1972 -- Charles Irwin [Director, Consumer Affairs]
1972 -- Raymond Bateman [State Senate President]
1973 -- Richard Fieldhouse
1976 -- James Florio [United States Congressman]
1976 -- Hazel Gluck
1977 -- Lions District 16C & 16A; Kiwanis, District N. Jersey; Roberta Marcus; Lillian Frisko & Bennett Herman
1978 -- Frank Field
1979 -- Dr. James Kimple
1980 -- Donna Burrows
1981 -- Ronald Rowe & Philip J. Hodes, Ed. D.
1983 -- Assemblyman George Otlowski & Assemblyman Garabed Haytaian1984 -- AARP / New Jersey Chapter & Dr.
Leslie Mintz Foundation [Optometric Education]
1985 -- Dr. Louis Friedner [VA Service]
1986 -- Ms. Jan Flanagan-Gavzy [NJSBO Service]
1987 -- Dr. Maxwell Kaye [NJSBO Service]
1988 -- Camden Optometric Center
1989 -- David L. Knowlton[Deputy Commissioner of Health]
1990 -- Assemblyman Joseph Roberts & Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto
1991 -- Senator Robert Menendez
1992 -- Senators Ray Lesniak & Joe Palaia, Gov. Jim Florio, Mr. John Torok, & Assemblyman John Watson
1993 -- Dr. Leonard Strulowitz [NJSBO Service]& Mr. Vincent Martucci [NJSBO Service]
1994 -- Mr. John Knoll, TKO Optical [Literacy Project]
1995 -- Senator Sinagra / Assemblyman Corodemus
1996 -- Mr. Richard Rufalo [Motivator]
1997 -- Ms. Pauline Foley, Esq [NJSBO Service]
1998 -- Dr. Edward Campell
1999 --   *** NONE ***
2000 -- Special Olympics – New Jersey
2001 -- Senator John Bennett
2002 -- Lions Club International
2003 -- Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr.
2004 – Assemblyman Francis Blee; Senator Gerald Cardinale; Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan;      Assemblyman Joseph
Malone and Senator Paul Sarlo
2005 – Ms. Susane Hartman [former Exec. Producer, Fox 5]
2006 – Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr., Dr. Arthur Friedman [Eye Mobile] & Lions Club of Livingston
2007 – Ms. Susan Gartland, NJSBO Executive Director & Camden Eye Center
2008 – Sue McAteer, CPOT
2009 – Dr. Robert Purnell [Charitable Work Overseas) & Team NJSOP [Breast Cancer Awareness)
2010 – Drs. Paul Berman, Daniel Desrivieres and Ronald Siwoff [Eye Care for Haiti Program]
            Drs. Harvey Richman and Jack Richman [Drug Recognition Expert Program]
2011 – Dr. Lawrence Ragone & Mrs. Portia Favreau
2012 - Mr. David L. Knowlton [Leadership on Health Care Quality]
2013 – NJ Motor Vehicle Commission & Assemblyman Dan Benson
2014 - Drs. John J. Florio & Daniel Desrivieres
2015 – Ms. Martha Smith [NJ Dept of Health – NJ CMS CLIA Program]
2016 - ***NONE***
2017 - Dr. Margaret Facey-Campbell [Service to Special Olympics]
2018 - Ms. Marietta Richman [Girl Scout Vision Awareness Patch Program]
2019 - Dr. Kathleen Kinzley [Promoting Public Awareness of the Profession; Senator Teresa Ruiz [Legislative Advocate]; Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez [Legislative Advocate]
2020 - Dr. Mitchell Fink [Service to the NJ State Board of Optometrists]
2021 - Senator Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr.
2022 - Dr. Gerald Kass

Local Society of the Year Award

This award is designed to recognize the officers and members of that local society who have distinguished themselves by their activities on the local level by confronting the challenges of our profession. Relevant criteria for selecting this award include the following: percentage of members / non-members in the local region; percentage of CE speakers who are ODs vs. MDs; level of attendance and enthusiasm at local meetings; public relations and community relations activities; and amount of contributions to the Dr. Leslie Mintz Scholarship Foundation. Your nomination should address the range of criteria mentioned above.

Recipients

1976 -- WJOS
1977 -- BPOS
1978 -- TCOS
1979 -- WJOS
1980 -- HCOS
1981 -- BPOS
1982 -- RVOS
1983 -- WJOS
1984 -- CJOS
1985 -- BPOS
1986 -- CJOS
1987 -- *** NONE ***
1988 -- CJOS
1989 -- ACMOS
1990 -- MOCOS
1991 -- TCOS
1992 -- CJOS
1993 -- BPOS
1994 -- ECOS
1995 – MOCOS
BPOS [OPAC Appreciation Award]
1996 – ECOS
            BPOS [OPAC Appreciation Award]
1997 – HCOS
            MJOS [OPAC Appreciation Award]
1998 – SJSOP
            ECOS [OPAC Appreciation Award]
1999 – TCSOP
            BPSOP [OPAC Appreciation Award]
2000 – CJOS
            BPSOP [OPAC Appreciation Award]
2001 – CJSOP
            SJSOP [OPAC Appreciation Award]
2002 – HCSOP
            BPSOP [OPAC Appreciation Award]
2003 -- BPSOP
BPSOP [OPAC Appreciation Award]
2004 -- MJSOP
BPSOP [OPAC Appreciation Award]
2005 -- ECOS
PAC Appreciation – ***NONE***
2006 -- MOSOP
PAC Appreciation - ***NONE***
2007 – ECOS
PAC Appreciation - *** NONE ***
2008 - TCSOP
PAC Appreciation - ***NONE***
2009 – BPSOP
2010 - HCSOP
2011 - MJSOP
2012 - SJSOP
2013 - ECOS
2014 - WJOS
2015 - HCSOP
2016 - 2022 ***NONE***

Scientific Achievement Award

This award is to be granted to that person who through his/her efforts, in the development of new optometric procedures or instrumentality, or in the area of optometrically related research, or by the teaching of optometric oriented science, or by writing in these fields shall have made a particular contribution to the science of optometry. This award shall only be awarded when a worthy candidate is presented and need not be awarded annually.

Recipients

1970 -- Dr. Arthur Scheier
1971 -- Dr. Ben Lane
1972 -- Dr. Ernest Giglio
1973 -- Dr. Harvey Cash
1974 -- Dr. Sanford Kaps
1975 -- Dr. Lester Beacher
1976 -- Dr. Milton Kaplan
1977 --   ***NONE***
1978 -- Dr. Benjamin Lane
1979 --   ***NONE***
1980 -- Dr. Daniel Woolf
1981 -- Dr. Ben Lane
1981 -- Dr. Harold Solan
1982 --   ***NONE***
1983 -- Dr. Joseph Trachtman
1984 -- Dr. Harold Wiener
1985 -- Dr. Joseph Miele
1986 -- Dr. George Obssuth
1987 -- Dr. Joel Silbert
1988 -- Dr. William Moskowitz
1989 --   ***NONE***
1990 -- Dr. Leonard Strulowitz
1991 -- Dr. Vincent Vicci
1992 --   *** NONE ***
1993 --   *** NONE ***
1994 -- Dr. Ronald Siwoff
1995 -- Dr. Leonard Press
1996 -- Dr. Christopher Quinn
1997 -- ***NONE***
1998 -- Dr. Thomas Lewis
1999 – Dr. Janet Steinberg
2000 - ***NONE***
2001 -- Dr. Robert Cole
2002 – Dr. Barry Tannen
2003 – Dr. Leonard Press
2004 -   ***NONE***
2005 – Dr. Benjamin Lane
2006 -- ***NONE***
2007 – Dr. Michael Gallaway
2008 – Dr. Kenneth Daniels
2009 -   ***NONE***
2010 -   ***NONE***
2011 – Dr. Joel Silbert
2012 – Drs. Maria Richman, Harold Solan
2013 – Dr. Diane T. Adamczyk
2014 – Dr. Maria S. Richman
2015 – Dr. Michael F. Gallaway
2016 - 2022 ***NONE***

Dr. Paul Berman Distinguished Service Award

This award is granted to that optometrist who during the past 36 to 72 months in particular and during their career, in general, has performed outstanding service for and on behalf of his/her colleagues to the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. This award primarily concerns itself with service to NJSOP or to a local society of NJSOP.

Recipients:

1970 -- Dr. Jack Weber
1971 -- Dr. Sanford Kaps
1972 -- Dr. Roy L. Soloff
1973 -- Dr. Harvey Cash
1974 -- Dr. Leonard Decter
1975 -- Dr. Sol Gerson
1976 -- Dr. Charles Papier
1977 -- Dr. Larry Ragone
1978 -- Dr. Mario Pallotta
1979 -- Dr. Maxwell Kaye
1980 -- Drs. Herbert Auerbach & Irving Wallis
1981 -- *** NONE ***
1982 -- *** NONE ***
1983 -- Dr. Nicholas Kavcsak
1984 -- Dr. Edward Campell
1985 -- Dr. Frances Stark
1986 -- Dr. A. F. Senaldi
1987 -- Dr. James Washington
1988 -- Drs. Thomas Vermes & Markus Barth
1989 -- Dr. Larry Wallis
1989 -- Dr. Norbert Kastner
1990 -- Dr. Joseph Miele
1991 -- Dr. Kenneth Brehne
1992 -- Dr. Richard Shuster
1993 -- Dr. Richard Frankel
1994 -- Drs. Chris Quinn & Lauren Scharf-Snyder
1995 -- Dr. Jeffrey Zlotnick
1996 -- Dr. Suzanne Offen
1997 -- Drs. Shelby Baker & Joseph Miele
1998 -- Dr. Richard Favreau
1999 – Dr. Stanley Ravine
2000 – Drs. Irving Edelsberg & F. Lawrence Vernamonti
2001 -- Drs. Theresa Fleming & Nathan Freed
2002 -- Drs. David Mellish & Alan Ross
2003 – Drs. Irvin Kramer & Harvey Richman
2004 – Drs. Linda Butler & Richard Morganstein
2005 – Dr. Mitchell Saferstein
2006 – Dr. Stuart Lonsk & Mitchell Dul
2007 – Dr. Dennis H. Lyons
2008 – Drs. Malinda Cafiero-Chin, Laura Perrin & Rajeev Rhagu
2009 – Dr. Sherry Lench
2010 – Dr. Norman P. Einhorn
2011 – Drs. Anna DiGeso, Steven Sorkin & Arthur Massarelli
2012 – Drs. David Mellish, Shelby Baker & Michael Tororici
2013 – Dr. Charles H. Fitzpatrick
2014 - Drs. Edward S. Campell, John Insinga, & Sean P. Phibbs
2015 – Drs. Lawrence Mroz, Maria S. Richman, Rodolfo L. Rodriguez, Michael J. Veliky
2016 – Dr. Edward V. Niemczyk
2017 - Dr. Jonathan Fishbein, Dr. Bruce Meyer, Dr. Kimberly Friedman
2018 - Dr. Markus Barth, Dr. Yvonne McBride, Dr. Eliot Milsky, Dr. George Veliky
2019 - Dr. Saysha Blazier, Dr. Tamara Petrosyan, Dr. Leonard Press
2020 - Dr. Charles H. Fitzpatrick, Dr. Rodolfo L. Rodriguez
2021 - Drs. David Kong, Dan Kohansby, and Yujie Chang
2022 - Dr. Kathleen Kinzley

Optometrist of the Year Award (18-24 months)

Shall be granted to that Optometrist who during the past eighteen to twenty four months has shown him/her self to be an outstanding practitioner. Firstly, mode of practice -- that is, involvement and concern for his/her patients. Secondly, is concerns and involvement with the profession and the contributions made to its advancement. Thirdly, in association with the community and service to it. The award may be granted to a recipient of the local society's Optometrist of the Year Award but the recipient of the NJSOP Award does not necessarily have to be a person who has received a similar local society award.

Recipients:

1968 -- Dr. Martin Snook
1969 -- Dr. George Brown
1970 -- Dr. Herbert Moss
1971 -- Dr. Samuel Krantzow
1972 -- Dr. Mario J. Pallotta
1973 -- Dr. Richard P. Rosenberg
1974 -- Dr. Harvey Wilson
1975 -- *** NONE ***
1976 -- Dr. Lawrence Ragone
1977 -- Dr. Charles Papier
1978 -- Dr. Frances Stark
1979 -- Dr. Robert Beach
1980 -- Dr. Fred Halperin
1981 -- Dr. Maxwell M. Kaye
1982 -- Dr. Norbert Kastner
1983 -- Dr. Irving Wallis
1984 -- Dr. Barry Schneider
1985 -- Dr. Edward Campell
1986 -- Dr. Kenneth Brehne
1987 -- Dr. Burnett Eglow
1988 -- Dr. Jay DeMesquita
1989 -- Dr. Leonard Steiner
1990 -- Dr. Larry Fuerman
1991 -- Dr. Richard Shuster
1992 -- Dr. Stanley Ravine
1993 -- Dr. Christopher Quinn
1994 -- Dr. Markus Barth
1995 -- Dr. Randolph Brooks
1996 -- Dr. Harvey Wolbransky
1997 -- Dr. Thomas F. Dorrity, Jr.
1998 -- Dr. Paul Berman
1999 -- Dr. Leonard Press
2000 -- Dr. Randolph Brooks
2001 -- Dr. Michael Veliky
2002 – Dr. Kimberly Friedman
2003 – Dr. Larry Wallis
2004 – Dr. Richard Favreau
2005 – Dr. Daniel Desrivieres
2006 – Dr. Charles Fitzpatrick
2007 -- Dr. Harvey Richman
2008 – Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez
2009 – Dr. Maria S. Richman
2010 – Dr. Bruce L. Meyer
2011 – Dr. Michael Siegel
2012 – Dr. Dennis H. Lyons
2013 – Dr. George W. Veliky
2014 - Dr. William R. Marcolini
2015 – Dr. Edward H. Melman
2016 – Dr. S. Moshe Roth
2017 - Dr. Christopher Quinn
2018 - Dr. Steven Sorkin
2019 - Dr. Tamara Petrosyan
2020 - Dr. Ray Corbin-Simon
2021 - Dr. Larry Mroz
2022 - Dr. Trinae Rosato

E.C. Nurock Award (Lifetime Achievment)

Considered to be NJSOP's highest and most prestigious award. Given to that Optometrist who exemplifies those characteristics of an outstanding practitioner, and who for a continuous period of several years has rendered outstanding service to this profession and colleagues. In addition, s/he shall have shown continuous involvement in the community. This qualification should take the nature of service to the community and to community organizations as well as to religious and fraternal organizations. In sum, these concerns shall have been exercised over a considerable period of time. This award shall only be granted when an outstanding candidate is presented to the Awards Committee and need not be granted each year.

Recipients:

1970 -- Dr. Emanuel C. Nurock
1971 -- Dr. Charles Bloom
1972 -- Dr. Leslie Mintz
1973 -- Dr. Mario Costantini
1974 -- Dr. Herbert L. Moss
1975 -- Mrs. Beth Nurock
1976 -- Dr. Harold Simmerman
1977 -- Dr. Sanford Kaps
1978 -- Dr. Arnold Klein
1979 -- Dr. Samuel Krantzow
1980 -- Dr. Roy L. Soloff
1981 -- Dr. Stanley E. Roever
1982 -- Dr. Kenneth B. Brehne
1983 -- Dr. Maxwell Kaye
1984 -- Dr. Lawrence Ragone
1985 -- Dr. Charles Papier
1986 -- Dr. Richard Rosenberg
1987 -- Dr. Norbert Kastner
1988 -- Dr. Edward Campell
1989 -- Dr. Barry Schneider
1990 -- Dr. Burnett Eglow
1991 -- Dr. Irvin Kramer
1992 -- Dr. Larry Wallis
1993 -- Dr. James Washington
1994 -- Dr. Larry Fuerman
1995 -- Dr. Harold Wiener
1996 -- Dr. Stanley Ravine
1997 -- Dr. George L. Brown
1998 -- Dr. Markus Barth
1999 – Dr. Leonard Steiner
2000 – Dr. Mario Pallotta
2001 - Dr. Joseph Miele
2002 – Dr. Randolph Brooks
2003 – Dr. Leonard Strulowitz
2004 – Dr. Edward Gates
2005 – Dr. Thomas Vermes
2006 – Dr. Richard Favreau
2007 – Dr. Leonard J. Press
2008 – Dr. Christopher J. Quinn
2009 – Dr. Thomas F. Dorrity, Jr.
2010- Dr. Paul E. Berman
2011 – Dr. Jay DeMesquita
2012 – Dr. Charles D. Allen
2013 – Dr. Jack S. Mermelstein
2014 – Dr. Charles H. Fitzpatrick
2015 – Dr. Harvey B. Richman
2016 – Dr. Jeffrey S. Zlotnick
2017 - Dr. Bruce Kastner (posthumously)
2018 - Dr. Edward Harmer
2019 - Dr. David Mellish
2020 - Dr. Maria S. Richman
2021 - Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez
2022 - Dr. Ronald Siwoff

Strategic Plan

Due to the pandemic the NJSOP Board of Directors decided to renew the 2020- 2022 NJSOP Strategic Plan for another three years: March 2022 through March 2025.

Mission
The NJSOP advocates, communicates, and educates to advance the optometric profession.

Vision
To protect and improve health through vision care.

Strategic Plan

About

Find a Doctor

Advocacy

Students

Benefits

NJSOP's Present and Past!

Congratulations 2023 Award Winners!

NJSOP's History

Past Presidents

NJSOP Constitution/Bylaws - click here to download PDF

Guidelines

NJSOP CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

NJSOP AWARD RECIPIENTS

Young Optometrist of the Year

Special Recognition Award (Student Leader or Other)

President's Award (Immediate Past President)

Presidential Special Recognition Award (Short Term Projects)

Chairperson of the Year (NJSOP Committees)

Communications Award

Special Purpose Award (Nominations/Awards Committee - Short Term Project)

Meritorious Service Award (Staff/Advisors)

Journalism Award

New Use of Media Award

Public Service Award

Local Society of the Year Award

Scientific Achievement Award

Dr. Paul Berman Distinguished Service Award

Optometrist of the Year Award (18-24 months)

E.C. Nurock Award (Lifetime Achievment)

Strategic Plan