Michelle P. Herrin Scholarship Fund

Michelle P. Herrin, COMT, has been in ophthalmology since 1974. She was trained as a technician and orthoptist at the University of Florida. She currently volunteers at the Florida Lions Eye Clinic in Bonita Springs seeing children. This scholarship for the 2024 IJCAHPO EYEXchange Florida Program has been established in memory of her son, Michael. She enjoys attending this program and wants to give others the opportunity to attend and enjoy it, as well as give them the ability to obtain their continuing education while improving their career.

A limited number of scholarships are available to attend IJCAHPO’s EYEXchange Florida Program held in conjunction with the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) Meeting June 21-22, 2024. This scholarship will include the two-day registration fee and two nights hotel room. The registrant will be responsible for their own transportation to the meeting and food.

The scholarship will be awarded as a voucher. This voucher is only valid for the 2024 EYEXchange Florida Program and cannot be used for any other meeting.

Applications accepted by May 1, 2024

Jennie B. Busch Memorial Education and Certification Scholarships

Jennie B. Busch was a loving and supportive elementary school teacher for many years of her life and was awarded Teacher of the Year multiple times throughout her career. Jennie was active in many nonprofit organizations and encouraged all her children to be involved in philanthropy. When her daughter Susan decided to become an ophthalmic assistant, she encouraged her to become certified at the highest level. Susan has volunteered as a lecturer, workshop instructor, and in leadership positions with the Foundation and IJCAHPO. In memory of her mother, Susan established scholarship funds as a tribute to Jennie’s dedication to the allied ophthalmic profession.

Education and Certification Scholarships: Awarded towards certification examination fees, program registration and travel costs, or for students in an accredited training program.

Continuing Education Scholarships: Awarded towards attendance at an IJCAHPO or another approved continuing education course.

All applications accepted January 1 to November 30

Barbara Cassin Memorial Scholarship

Barbara Cassin, CO, was the Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Florida. She was a major contributor to ophthalmic education through many endeavors, including her books “Fundamentals for Ophthalmic Medical Personnel” and “The Dictionary of Eye Terminology”. This scholarship is to honor her legacy and the impact she had on her students. The scholarship is for students in an accredited COMT training program.

Applications accepted January 1 to April 15

Phil H. Weber Memorial Scholarships

Phil H. Weber, COMT, was born in Memphis, TN, and grew up in various parts of the country. He graduated from high school in Abington, PA, in 1966, then served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. In 1976, he graduated from Rutgers University, and in 1980 from Georgetown University Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Program with honors. He was an instructor in ophthalmic photography at the Georgetown University Medical School.

Phil served as the IJCAHPO Secretary of Certification, chaired the Ophthalmic Technologist Advisory Committee, and served as the representative for the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO). Phil was an ATPO President and a Fellow.

Scholarships are awarded towards IJCAHPO approved training programs, certification advancement, or continuing education.

Applications accepted January 1 to July 31

Training Program Scholarships

Programs must be approved, accredited, or have received a Letter of Review from the International Council of Accreditation (ICA), in order for students to be eligible to apply.

Schools must publicize the availability of educational scholarships to potential candidates.

Applications accepted by March 1 or June 1

Orthoptist Training Program Scholarships

Orthoptic program students are eligible for scholarships made available through specially designated gifts. Applicants must submit a case study, two letters of recommendation, and completed application.

Applications accepted by June 1

Marina V. Evans Armstrong Memorial Scholarships

Marina V. (Evans) Armstrong, COMT, was the daughter of Helga (Kemp) and Peter Y. Evans, MD. Dr. Evans was one of IJCAHPO’s founding members, IJCAHPO’s President from 1980-1981, and its first Executive Vice President from 1981-1995. Marina graduated from Georgetown University in 1979 as an ophthalmic technologist and became certified by IJCAHPO as a Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT). Marina worked at Chester County Eye Care in West Chester, PA, for many years.

Learning and teaching others was a passion of Marina’s and the family set up a scholarship fund for students in training programs, in honor of her legacy.

Applications accepted by March 1 or June 1

Peter Y. Evans Scholarship Fund

The Peter Y. Evans, MD, Endowment Fund was established to honor Dr. Evans, who was one of IJCAHPO’s founding members, President from 1980-1981, and its first Executive Vice President from 1981-1995. Dr. Evans established the first formal educational program for Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP) at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Dr. Evans passed away in 2020.

The fund provides scholarships for students in the Georgetown University Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Training Program in Washington, DC.

Applications accepted by March 1 or June 1

Charles Douglas Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Charles Douglas Memorial Endowment Fund was established in 1993 to honor Mr. Charles Douglas. Mr. Douglas was a graduate of and the inspiration for the development of the first ophthalmic assistant training program at Georgetown University.

The fund provides scholarships for students in the Georgetown University Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Training Program in Washington, DC.

Applications accepted by March 1 or June 1

Tyree Carr, MD, Certification Scholarships

For more than 20 years, Dr. Carr provided rich and robust leadership within IJCAHPO. He served in leadership positions as Treasurer (2004, 2005, 2006), President-Elect (2009-2010), President (2011-2012), and Past President (2013-2014). He also served on the Education Committee, Finance & Audit Committee, and as Treasurer of the JCAHPO Education and Research Foundation.

In 2017, Dr. Carr gave a generous gift to the JCAHPO Education and Research Foundation to support certification scholarships to Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP). Dr. Carr passed away in 2018.

Application coming soon

Roger P. Harrie, MD, Education Scholarship

Roger P. Harrie, MD, is an ophthalmologist in Salt Lake City, UT, with over 45 years of experience. Dr. Harrie graduated from Cornell University Medical College in 1974, and tells about this experience in his most recent book, “Doctor, I have an ant in my eye!: Becoming an eye doctor.” Dr. Harrie is also a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the John A. Moran Eye Center and practices comprehensive ophthalmology with a special interest in ocular ultrasound. He has written a number of articles for scientific journals, several book chapters, and a few books.

Two to four scholarships will be awarded, upon available funding, for students in an ophthalmic training program. Programs must be approved, accredited, or have received a Letter of Review from the International Council of Accreditation (ICA), in order for students to be eligible to apply.

Application coming soon