NSUOCU’s Butcher wins $6,000 HOYA Vision Care scholarship

(Tahlequah, Okla.)Dr. Chris Butcher, a 2011 graduate of NSUOCO was named the HOYA Vision Care Grant and Scholarship Program overall winner.

Butchers case study addressed aspects of progressive lenses that lead to prolonged adaptation periods and the shifting of adaptation from patient to lens design. Butcher was first selected as the winner from NSUOCO and then awarded the overall prize at the HOYA Awards Luncheon June 17 in Salt Lake City at the 2011 Optometrys Meeting.

Receiving the National HOYA Vision Care Scholarship is a testament to the superb education I received at NSUOCO, including our ophthalmic optics professor, Dr. Alan McKee, Butcher said. I am very proud to be a member of this excellent institution.

HOYA sponsors the HOYA Vision Care Grant and Scholarship Program annually, offering third- and fourth-year optometry students in the U.S. to compete for $1,000 grants and an opportunity to qualify for a $6,000 scholarship. One winner from each school, selected by the school, receives the $1,000 grant and a paid trip to the Optometrys Meeting. HOYAs impartial ECP Advisory Panel, comprised of 12 eye care professionals, reviews winning case studies and selects an overall winner.

Case studies are judged on originality, application of appropriate technology, product knowledge and overall analysis and composition. As overall winner, Butcher receives the additional $6,000 scholarship.

I was really rooting for Chris, said Mike Elton, director of professional services at HOYA. I first met him as a brand new third-year when the students came down to Dallas for their lab tour. You could tell then that he was a sharp individual. He had that entrepreneurial spirit.

The HOYA Vision Care Grant and Scholarship Program was established in 2006. Butcher is the third NSUOCO student to be awarded the grand prize, and the student nominated by NSUOCO has never finished below second. Dr. Brian Zwanziger was the overall recipient for 2007 and Dr. Brandon Mayes was the winner in 2009. In 2010 Butcher was the second place winner, separated from first place by only three-tenths of a point.

It has been fun to watch Butcher grow professionally, Elton said. I am amazed at the success NSU students have had. It has been my pleasure working with the school and Im impressed with the exceptional quality of the NSU students.

Dr. Earlena McKee and Dr. Natalie Butcher accompanied Butcher to the awards luncheon.