The teaching faculty at the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) was awarded the Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award at the 2022 Optometry’s Meeting held in Chicago, IL. 

This special honor from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) recognizes the extraordinary work from all teaching faculty at schools and colleges of optometry in North America. UABSO’s didactic teachers and hands-on clinical teachers were recognized for their outstanding response and dedication to teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic was a challenging time in our lives and this award reminds us of the silver linings that came from the experience,” said Kelly Nichols, OD, MS, PhD, FAAO, UABSO dean. “We can recall how the pandemic forced innovation in a way that changed how we teach our students. New skills, new ways to engage students and new teaching technology were all outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The award was established in March 2000 to recognize ASCO volunteers for outstanding innovation to optometric education. It was named in June 2000 in honor of Dr. Jack Bennett, a creative leader in optometric education, who served as dean at three optometric institutions. This year’s award recognizes “all faculty” which is a special recognition. Dr. Keisha Brown accepted the award on behalf of UABSO faculty.

“As a faculty, we work better together than we ever have, and I believe there is an appreciation for each other as everyone needed a boost at some point over the past two years,” Nichols said. “UABSO has the best faculty, and I am so proud of every one of them!”