American Academy of Optometry Announces 2025 New Fellows and Diplomates

American Academy of Optometry Announces 2025 New Fellows and Diplomates

The American Academy of Optometry recently hosted Academy 2025 Boston, in Boston, MA.

During the organization’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 American Academy of Optometry 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. It is estimated that approximately 10 percent of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows. Among those eligible for Fellowship are: optometrists, scientists, educators, librarians, administrators, and editors. Those who pass the rigorous criteria and application process earn the distinction and right to use “FAAO” in their credentials.

Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their extensive skill in a specific area. Currently, ten Sections offer Diplomate programs. These include: 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 downlodable complete list of new Fellows and a published list of Diplomates recognized during Academy 2025 Boston.

More information on becoming a Fellow or Diplomate can be found on the Academy’s website under Membership. 

2025 Diplomates

Jacobi Cleaver, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Anterior Segment

Jeannette Wong-Powell, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

Elaine Chen, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Patrick Simard, OD, MSc, MBA, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Michael Kalloniatis, MScOptom, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Glaucoma

Ramanpal Deol, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Low Vision

Jennifer Reilly, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Optometric Education

Fatima Iqbal, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Optometric Education

Angelica Scanzera, OD, MPH, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Public Health & Environmental Vision

Yvonne Megbele, OD, MSc, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Public Health & Environmental Vision

Lisa Ostrin, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Vision Science

Announcing 2025 Fellows and Diplomates