09/10/2026

2026 OOA Award Winners Announced

The Ohio Optometric Association is pleased to announce its 2026 Award Winners. They will be recognized at OOA Honors, to be held Thursday, Oct. 16^th during the EastWest Eye Conference (www.eastwesteye.org) in Columbus at the Hilton Downtown hotel. All members are invited to attend this free event! 

Warren G. and Ruth P. Morris Optometrist of the Year – Dr. Brian Dietz  To a member OD who has made outstanding contributions to the profession through optometric and community service activities at the national, state, and/or local level.

Since becoming a doctor of optometry 16 years ago and graduating from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Dr. Brian Dietz has diligently made his mark on optometry in Ohio. He quickly became a staple in OOA leadership by serving on the Third Party Committee and then by joining the Board of Trustees in 2018 after just eight years in practice. He served as OOA president in 2023 and led the search for our new executive director. Dr. Dietz has long been engaged with advocacy efforts as an AOA Federal Key Person as well as Key OD for Ohio State Senator, Susan Manchester. In 2025, Dr. Dietz was appointed by Governor DeWine to serve on the Ohio Vision Professionals Board. He oversees activities related to licensing of nearly 6,500 optometrists and opticians and serves as Chairman of the Rules Committee.

“Dr. Brian Dietz is the epitome of a dedicated volunteer with a passion to serve optometry,” said OOA president, Dr. San-San Cooley. “He has sacrificed so much of his time to help this profession by serving on the board and being a great leader and mentor to many younger board members. He has shown how to serve the profession in an honorable and powerful way. His leadership in forming the search committee and hiring our new executive director was of exceptional note. His volunteering on the vision professional board is admirable, and he has excelled in that as well. His easy-going demeanor helps to make him an excellent leader and mentor.”

Dr. Dietz has given back to his Lima community by serving as a Realeyes Presenter, InfantSEE provider and Chair of the March of Dimes. As a mentor with the Evans Scholars Mentoring Program, Dr. Dietz supports undergraduate scholars with career exploration, professional skill-building, and network expansion opportunities.

Dr. Dietz is a private business owner with locations in Lima and Minster Ohio.

Jack T. Keith Young OD of the Year – Dr. Beth Army To a member OD who has received their doctorate of optometry within the previous ten years and has shown outstanding service to optometry and their community.

Dr. Beth Army earned her Doctor of Optometry in 2021 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Before graduating, Dr. Army was already actively engaged in optometry. She served as vice president of the Epsilon Psi Epsilon Optometric Fraternity (EYE), was an active member of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), and a student fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). After graduation, Dr. Army stayed on at The Ohio State University as a Clinical Assistant Professor, where she has mentored optometry students in the Contact Lens and Primary Vision Care Clinics.

In her first five years of practice, Dr. Army has already become an active member of organized optometry in both Ohio and on the national level. At the OOA, Dr. Army has served as a Young OD Committee member since graduation and has been one of the most prominent voices shaping the Young OD Community. She has served as Zone 12 Trustee for the Central Ohio Optometric Association where she assists with zone planning. This fall she will assume the role of Zone 12 Governor. As an advocate for optometry, Dr. Army is a Key OD, an AOA Federal Key Person and has prioritized attendance at Optometry Day at the Statehouse (ODASH) and AOA on Capitol Hill every year since starting optometry school.

Dr. Army is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and recently completed AOA’s Leadership Institute. She participates in a similar leadership program through VSP. She regularly volunteers with Better Vision Better Hope, Realeyes, InfantSEE, and iSee Clinics, providing comprehensive eye exams to those in need and educating communities on the importance of eye care. For all of her work giving back to the community, she has earned multiple Student Loan Repayment awards through the Ohio Vision Project.

She is an optometrist at Optique Family Vision Care, which will serve as an Advanced Private Practice Extern site for the 2027-2028 academic year.

Key OD of the Year – Dr. Lindsay Florkey To OOA member ODs who have shown outstanding dedication and advocacy to Ohio optometry.

The OOA is proud to announce Dr. Lindsay Florkey as its Key OD of the Year. Beyond her work on the OOA Board (serving as President in 2024), Dr. Florkey has been a dedicated Key OD and has worked for many years on the Key OD program. Over the last couple of years, she has been instrumental in the overhaul of the Key OD network and worked with Dr. San-San Cooley to review all Key OD pairings. Dr. Florkey initiated and helped implement the KP Dashboard platform and remains an Administrator of the platform now. A true advocate for optometry and scope expansion, Dr. Florkey has remained a prominent voice in support of SB36 submitting multiple op-ed pieces to educate the public about the need and value of scope modernization.

“Lindsay Florkey is one of the most tenacious and passionate optometrists I know,” said OOA President, Dr. San-San Cooley. “She is not one to back away from a difficult situation and has taught me so many things about being a leader who always shows up and does not shy away from doing hard things. Her passion for optometry has been on display as she has spearheaded the KP dashboard and key OD network to help strengthen our grassroots to make optometry better throughout the state, at such a key time in our history.”

Dr. Florkey is the CEO and chief optometrist at Greene County Eye Care since 2007.

Student of the Year – Mr. Andrew Vanacore  To an OSU College of Optometry student who has shown outstanding professional interest and involvement in Ohio optometry.

Andrew Vanacore is in his 4th year at The Ohio State University College of Optometry (OSUCO) completing his externship in Arizona. He has been an incredibly engaged student and has participated in every OOA/AOSA related event since his first year. He has helped to plan events bringing the OOA and students together such as the annual AOSA Legucate Me event and the Young OD Panel for students. He was integrally involved in the AOSA Midwestern Conference meeting when it was hosted by OSUCO in 2024. 

Andrew represented his peers as an AOSA Trustee from OSUCO for the 2025-2026 term, a role in which he planned and coordinated events to increase student engagement and awareness of optometric legislation and advocacy at the national level. Andrew has attended Optometry’s Meeting multiple times as well as AOA on Capital Hill and has attended Optometry Day at the Statehouse (ODASH) faithfully each year. Andrew also attends OOA Zone 12 meetings and the EastWest Eye Conference.

As president of The Prismatic Effect, Andrew led and facilitated general board meetings, coordinated club initiatives and planned and organized campus events to foster student engagement and community. He has been recognized with multiple scholarship awards for his leadership including the Dr. Carol Alexander and Dr. Kevin Alexander Student Leadership Endowed Fund two years in a row.

“He has made a positive impact among his peers, and we see tremendous potential for him to become a future leader in our profession well beyond optometry school,” said Dr. San-San Cooley, OOA President.

Mr. Vanacore will receive his Doctor of Optometry in May of 2027.

Friend of Optometry Award – The Ohio Professionals Health Program (OhioPHP)  To an individual or group, not an optometrist, that has exemplified dedication to the goals of the OOA.

The OOA presents the Friend of Optometry Award to the Ohio Professionals Health Program in recognition of its esteemed mission to support health care professionals as they deal with mental health and substance abuse issues. Optometry is not immune to these stresses and the OOA is glad to partner with OhioPHP in order to provide a valuable member benefit.

OhioPHP’s mission is to facilitate the health and wellness of healthcare professionals in order to enhance patient care and safety. They have been instrumental in establishing Safe Haven programs that allow practitioners suffering from burnout, mental health, or substance use disorders to get the care they need in a supportive environment while protecting their license to practice. Additionally, they offer training programs on health, wellness, and burnout for all healthcare professionals. The organization has been supporting Ohio’s Healthcare Professionals for more than 30 years.

For the past nine years, OOA Board Trustee Dr. Greg Nixon has served on the OhioPHP Board. Through this position, OhioPHP has incorporated optometry as a key health profession and will prioritize a continued optometric presence on its board. Dr. Nixon will end his term on the board this year and Dr. Katie Greiner is then poised to take his place.

We appreciate all that OhioPHP does for the wellness of not only doctors of optometry, but all doctors and patients in Ohio. We recognize this Friend of Optometry for their shared values of supporting the profession to enhance patient care and safety.

OOA Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Robert Layman  In recognition of his lifelong dedication and distinguished service to the OOA and AOA, exceptional patient care, advocacy, and enduring contributions to the optometric community.

The OOA is proud to recognize Dr. Robert Layman for his career long dedication to Optometry. His accomplishments and accolades reach far beyond his service to the Ohio and American Optometric Associations, but it is for his impact on these two organizations we wish to recognize with his OOA Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Layman's leadership, advocacy, and commitment have had a tremendous impact on optometry and on the patients we serve. He has given so much of his time and energy to our profession, and there are countless people who have been inspired by his leadership and example. He has truly made a lasting difference in optometry.

To highlight a few of his many accomplishments, Dr. Layman has served on numerous OOA and AOA committees and as president of both organizations. He led the OOA in 2002 and then joined the AOA board less than a decade later. He led the AOA as president in 2021-2022 and even stepped back into the role of president when the board needed him for another half term in 2022-2023. He is a Distinguished Member, a member category enjoyed by a handful of ODs connected with the OOA/AOA. He is generous with his time and continues to present Realeyes and support iSee Ohio.

"Dr. Robert Layman truly epitomizes what one individual can accomplish to better our great profession of optometry for both the AOA and especially the OOA. Dr. Layman's intellect, energy, insight and vision have produced and inspired the betterment of the Ohio's optometrists. Perhaps his greatest attribute in the OOA is his encouragement to young optometrists to be a part of the association. Personally, when I graduated from OSU in 1993 and began my ocular disease residency, the first three optometrists to write me a personal letter to congratulate and encourage me were Dr. Kevin L. Alexander, Dean Emeritus Richard Hill, and Dr Robert Layman."
- Dr. David Bejot, OOA Board Trustee

“Bob Layman is an optometry legend and role model to all. He has that welcoming smile that makes you want to talk to him. He remembers everyone’s name and is always happy to share a meal with them. He makes optometry about more than the profession - it’s about the family you make by being part of it.”
- Dr. Katie Greiner, OOA Board Trustee

The OOA bestows this Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Bob Layman in recognition of his many leadership roles and contributions throughout his career in Optometry, but more so to honor a colleague who has become a guiding light to our profession and an exceptional example of servant leadership. We are grateful he is one of our own. 

OOPAC Champion Award - Dr. Dave Anderson  Recognizes exceptional contributions, outstanding commitment, passion, or dedication to the Ohio Optometric Political Action Committee.

Dr. David Anderson’s dedication and unparalleled support of the Ohio Optometric Political Action Committee (OOPAC) is the reason he was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the OOPAC Champion Award. The award was created to recognize members like him whose passion and action make an incredible impact.

Over the last decade, Dr. Anderson has been the chief voice in support of the PAC, working tirelessly to educate fellow members on 1) the necessity to contribute, 2) the purpose of the PAC, and 3) the reason PAC funds must be separate from association dues. He has led the OOPAC Board as Chair since 2015 and has consistently led by example by contributing at the highest levels, routinely being one of the top 5 OOPAC contributors annually.

“Being chair of the OOPAC committee is one of the most important positions at the OOA,” said Dr. David Bejot. “It is not easy to ask our fellow members to make extra contributions to our profession outside of OOA dues. However, Dr. Anderson took this as a challenge and through his incredible leadership, made this committee one the best in the country.”

As a past OOA president (2018), Dr. Anderson continues to stay active and involved, supporting OOA advocacy efforts. He is always the first to discuss the necessity of OOPAC and encourages contributions, which speaks to his commitment to protecting and advancing the profession.

The OOA and its initiatives remain at the forefront of his priorities. He is a founding partner and Chief Operating Officer of Optometric Management Group (OMG), a 17-location practice in Ohio. Dr. Anderson personally ensures that all OMG ODs are members of the OOA going so far as to pay their membership dues directly. Dr. Anderson has also collaborated in partnership with iSee Clinics and the OhioSEE program to help increase provider participation as well as encourages donations to iSee Ohio.

Dr. Anderson’s influence and impact have been integral to the OOPAC, the OOA and its programs. He personifies what it is to champion a cause and we are grateful for his efforts.

2026 Outstanding Realeyes Involvement Awards   

The Outstanding Realeyes Involvement - Community Impact Award goes to father-daughter doctor duo Dr. David Erwin and Dr. Danielle Erwin Ellis Impacting local communities with innovative Realeyes education during the 2025-2026 school year.

Drs. David Erwin and Danielle Erwin Ellis are the dynamic duo whose unwavering commitment to Realeyes and their community has earned them this year’s Outstanding Realeyes Involvement – Community Impact Award. Dr. Erwin became a consistent Realeyes presence in Coshocton County in 2006 and has since educated more than 4,000 students in schools throughout the community. His dedication to bringing vision health education directly to students has made him a trusted and familiar presence in the area for two decades. His daughter, Dr. Ellis, was trained to present Realeyes while in optometry school and even had the opportunity to present for the first time in Columbus alongside Realeyes founder, Dr. Karla Zadnik.

When Dr. Ellis later joined the family practice, she and her father began presenting together and their partnership has made an already meaningful community impact even greater. By joining forces, Drs. Erwin and Ellis have been able to reach more students while providing schools with consistency, energy, and enthusiasm for vision education. Their presentations continue to earn glowing feedback from educators.

One teacher shared, “I really appreciate their enthusiasm and interaction with the students… the presenters were both very patient with the students.” For the past 20 years, a member of Erwin Family Eye Care has been in schools throughout the area each year. That kind of sustained commitment is a lasting connection to generations of students. Drs. Erwin and Ellis exemplify what it means to turn Realeyes involvement into meaningful, long-term community impact. Their dedication, partnership, and passion for educating students make them truly deserving of this year’s award.

The Outstanding Realeyes Involvement – Most Students Educated Award goes to Dr. Amy Keller  Reaching the most Ohio students through Realeyes education during the 2025-2026 school year.

Dr. Amy Keller was back at it and claimed this year’s Outstanding Realeyes Involvement – Most Students Educated Award! In the 2025–2026 school year, Dr. Keller educated 829 students and just edged out the competition at reaching the most students. This award marks a return to the top spot since her last win in 2023. A beloved classroom presenter, Dr. Keller enjoys doing presentations in all formats in central Ohio and beyond. Over the years she has presented to individual classrooms, to groups of classrooms, over zoom from the Realeyes studio, over zoom from her office, at community events, and even in a metro park! These various presentations have allowed her to rack up quite the career with Realeyes and most importantly introduce many students to understanding comprehensive eye care. Dr. Keller has presented at 67 different locations for a total of nearly 450 presentations and over 22,000 students!