During the American Academy of Optometry (AAO)’s annual meeting, the Academy welcomed a record number of 329 new Fellows to its ranks. Along with this strong showing of new Fellows, 11 current Fellows earned the distinction of Diplomate. Fellows of the AAO must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written works for peer review that demonstrate their skills as an optometrist or vision scientist. They must also sit for an oral exam at the annual meeting.  Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their extensive skill in a specific area. Currently, 10 Sections offer Diplomate programs: Anterior Segment; Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry; Comprehensive Eye Care; Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies; Glaucoma; Low Vision; Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders in Optometry; Optometric Education; Public Health & Environmental Vision; and Vision Science. Below is a complete list of new Fellows and Diplomates recognized during Academy 2025 in Boston.

2025 Diplomates

• Jacobi Cleaver, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Anterior Segment
• Jeannette Wong-Powell, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Comprehensive Eye Care
• Elaine Chen, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies
• Patrick Simard, OD, MSc, MBA, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies
• Michael Kalloniatis, MScOptom, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Glaucoma
• Ramanpal Deol, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Low Vision
• Jennifer Reilly, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Optometric Education
• Fatima Iqbal, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Optometric Education
• Angelica Scanzera, OD, MPH, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Public Health & Environmental Vision
• Yvonne Megbele, OD, MSc, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Public Health & Environmental Vision
• Lisa Ostrin, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Vision Science

2025 Fellows