Complete Story
06/27/2023
AFOS Members Awarded at AOA Optometry's Meeting
Congratulations to these great members!
National Optometry Hall of Fame
Siu Wong, O.D., MPH
As an educator and leader in public health optometry, Dr. Wong has demonstrated an exceptional record of public health service. She was a trailblazer for optometry in the U.S. Public Health Service – Indian Health Service (IHS) where she served for nearly 30 years.
Beginning as one of the first optometrists selected for the USPHS – Indian Health Service, she went on to be the first chief optometrist of an administrative region and the first woman to hold the position of chief optometric consultant to the IHS. She concluded her career as chief operating officer for the New Mexico Tribal Health Care Alliance.
She also served on a plethora of committees, task forces and advisory councils with the goal of expanding the position of optometry within a multidisciplinary setting. We are honored to have Dr. Wong as an AFOS Life Member! She is also an AOA Life Member and has been an AOA member for over 53 years!
AOA Federal Advocacy Award
Michael H. Mittelman, OD, (RADM, USN Ret.) MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE
Dr. Mittelman will be honored with AOA’s 2023 Federal Advocacy Award from the group’s board of trustees for his “exemplary dedication to optometry and the advancement of the profession.”
“I think we all have a role to play in advocating for our professions,” said Dr. Mittelman. “We have a wonderful opportunity to educate legislators and others who can play key roles in scope of practice, additional funding and other types of support that it's my responsibility to take advantage of.”
AOA Media Advocacy Award
Meghan Elkins, OD, FAAO
Dr. Elkins will be honored with the AOA's 2023 Media Advocacy Award for her exceptional commitment to furthering the profession and raising the profile of doctors of optometry through the use of media.
"I've been an AOA doctor of optometry since 2010 and an avid gamer since 1987. When addressing screen-related eye health concerns with patients, look to my personal experiences as well as my professional expertise," Dr. Elkins said.
