Skip to main content

Nine UMSL Students Receive Scholarship


Nine students at UMSL Optometry started the spring 2017 semester with a $2,500 scholarship from the Healthy Vision Association (HVA).  The HVA is an organization that is dedicated to helping its members see well and be healthy by providing access that might not be available through employers to products, services, and information that promote vision and overall health.
The scholarship was awarded to Kandace Alfred (’18), Jessica Arnoldy (’20), Shelby Baugh Bruner (’17), Kelly Cochran (’20), Yousef Ibrahim (’17), Cailyn Katsev (’17), Julia Katsev (’18), Trisha Smith (’20), and Lacie Spagnola (’20); each received a check for $2,500.
One of the scholarship recipients, Kelly Cochran (’20), shares her vision of optometry in ten years as part of the essay she was required to write for the scholarship. “I believe the scope of practice for optometrists will involve an evolution toward deepening our involvement in vision research, medicine, surgery, and cooperation with ophthalmologists and basic scientists who are also working toward treating our patients. We must understand that we are servants before we are businesspeople, yet our patients are also consumers,” Cochran commented.
The Healthy Vision Association (HVA) awards up to 20 scholarships each year to students who are attending an accredited optometry school. The scholarship is based on grade point average, extracurricular activities, and a required essay.  Congratulations to each of this year’s recipients of this year’s HVA scholarship. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Farewell and Good Luck Class of 2017

Farewell, Young Doctors. Go Be The Vision. Dear Class of 2017; This was Nick's final email email to the Class of 2017 on Thursday, May 11, 2017.—23,890+ emails later… Today, May 12, 2017 they graduate as Doctor's of Optometry.  Please indulge me for a bit… If I were to give your commencement address…Here is what I would have to say to each of you and to be honest—I don’t like goodbyes, so this will help capture my thoughts and feelings.  Today, we celebrate your commencement.  Cheers- Nick This is all because of you. Four years ago each of you began a journey together—not knowing what to expect or what to do, but you quickly learned the next four years would be a challenge.  Through it all though, you stood tough.  Quite frankly, it wasn’t always easy and I am sure moments questioning your decision crossed your mind—maybe more than once.  Always remember this: If it was meant to be easy then everyone would be here, but that is not the case.  You are one of a small grou…
Post a Comment
Read more

Gorder selected as March 2017 Student Spotlight:

Gorder provides excellence in patient care...Every month the Office of Student Services with the College of Optometry seeks nomination from the faculty, staff, and students of the college in an effort to recognize one student who exemplifies our student body.  This month's recipient is a true reflection on what we look for in a student at UMSL College of Optometry.The Student Spotlight for March 2017 is:
Molly Gorder(Class of 2017) Molly was chosen as March 2017 Student Spotlight winner because of her care for patients. Here is what her nominator said:
Post a Comment
Read more

A Profile of Dr. David Hoel; The Story about an UMSL Alumnus Who Cares

There are many desirable qualities for individuals being considered for admission into the UMSL College of Optometry.  Certainly, a solid academic record, good interpersonal communication skills, and extensive shadowing – or better yet experience – with established optometric practices are important factors.  However, looking into the eyes of an applicant to try to determine why they want to be an optometrist is very important as well.  Will they be the type of individual who will be very dedicated to caring about their patient’s visual and overall health?  Will they take the time to serve their profession and their community?  Meet David Hoel, OD (’98) who personifies these qualities and more as he continues to be a wonderful ambassador to UMSL while representing what is truly good about the profession of optometry. 


His interest in optometry began during college when he explored several career options and, after shadowing several different optometrists, decided this would be an exce…
Post a Comment
Read more