Hannah Bollig Named 2024 Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship Winner

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – VSP Vision^™, in partnership with the Heart of America Eye Care Congress, announced Hannah Bollig, third year student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, is the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship. Bollig received $5,000 toward her education and travel to attend the Heart of America Eye Care Conference in February. 

“I’m so grateful for the validation and encouragement I’ve felt since receiving the Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial award,” said Bollig. “To have my dedication and effort celebrated has encouraged me to keep striving forward, and confirmed that I’m on the right path. Thank you for this incredible opportunity.”

The scholarship, which is offered to third and fourth-year optometry students who are actively engaged in patient care, is named in honor of Dr. Frank D. Fontana, affectionately known as “Uncle Frank,” who practiced optometry for nearly 70 years and was a colleague, mentor, and friend to so many throughout the eye care industry. 

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

“We are proud to honor Uncle Frank and his lasting contributions to the field of optometry and support the next generation of optometrists through this scholarship,” said Michelle Skinner, Chief Provider and Industry Solutions Officer. “We congratulate Hannah on this special recognition and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on patient care and the future of the profession of optometry.”

Within the last 10 years, VSP Vision has provided more than $3.5 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 nearly 70 years, VSP Vision^™ has been the leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses—VSP^® Vision Care, Marchon Eyewear, Inc., Visionworks^®, Eyefinity^®, Eyeconic^®, VSP^® Optics, and VSP^® Ventures—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 41,000 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 3.8 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.