Mora Boatman of Ohio State University School of Optometry Named 2025 Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship Winner

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – VSP Vision^™, in partnership with the Heart of America Eye Care Congress, announced Mora Boatman, third-year optometry student at The Ohio State University, as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship. Boatman received $5,000 toward her education and travel to attend the Heart of America Eye Care Conference in February.

“As a future optometrist, all of my endeavors must be seen through the lens that each patient is a person who has inherent dignity and value that cannot be taken away from them based on their circumstances,” said Mora Boatman in her winning essay. “Dr. Fontana has set an example of the best optometry has to offer, and I am honored to continue this legacy throughout my career.”

The scholarship is named in honor of the Dr. Frank D. Fontana, affectionately known as “Uncle Frank,” who practiced optometry for nearly 70 years and was a colleague, mentor, and friend to many throughout the eye care industry.

Third and fourth-year optometry students who are actively engaged in patient care and live in Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, or Missouri, or attend either University of Missouri-St. Louis or Northeastern State University Oklahoma, College of Optometry are eligible to apply.

Recipients of the Fontana Memorial Scholarship are selected for demonstrating excellence in the four areas Dr. Fontana was known for: clinical performance, empathetic patient care, adoption of modern technologies, and active participation in the optometric community. 

“We congratulate Mora on earning this great recognition,” said VSP Vision Chief Provider and Industry Solutions Officer Michelle Skinner. “She embodies Uncle Frank’s commitment to empathetic patient care and we have no doubt she will help carry his legacy forward as she embarks on her optometry career.”

Within the last 10 years, VSP Vision has provided more than $4 million in scholarship support to optometry students. To learn more, visit https://www.vspproviderhub.com/scholarships.html 

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About VSP Vision   
At VSP Vision™, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For 70 years, VSP^® has been the leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses across vision benefits, eye care services, eyewear solutions, and practice solutions, work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for more than 85 million members through a network of more than 42,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Vision Eyes of Hope^®. To date, more than 4 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com. 
 

About Heart of America Eye Care Congress
The Heart of America Eye Care Conference (HOAECC) has always been a proud supporter of the optometric profession for 61 years and will continue to develop meetings that offer camaraderie, education and innovation to its member doctors and Paras. Known by all as the “Heart,” the annual meeting has evolved over time much like the profession of optometry. It began to provide education for the development and application of contact lenses and has evolved and now continues to offer some of the best education in all facets of optometry.