At its annual Rising Star reception, held on January 10 in Las Vegas, the GP Lens Institute (GPLI) named its 2025 award recipients.

• Karen Carrasquillo, OD, PhD: Naomi “Jo” Svochak GP Practitioner of the Year, for outstanding professional expertise in fitting customized contact lenses to benefit patients with improved vision and corneal health, and to advance the contact lens field.

• David Libassi, OD: Dr. Edward S. Bennett GPLI Educator of the Year for outstanding achievement as an educator in the area of GP and custom soft contact lenses.

• Julie DeKinder, OD: Thomas J. “Tommy” Pham GPLI–NKCF Keratoconus Practitioner of the Year, for exceptional expertise in keratoconus education and management.

• Nicky Lai, OD, MS: Thomas E. Anastor GPLI Distinguished Service Award, for outstanding service toward the goals, mission, and programs of the GP Lens Institute.

• Luis Ramirez, OD, and Amy Zheng, OD: GPLI Alumni & Friends Award, a gift from former cornea and contact lens residents and GPLI friends who wish to “pay it forward.”

To read more about the award winners, visit gpli.info/gpli-awards.