NOA Member Golden Opportunity Award Inaugural Winner
June 2024 – Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation and PERC Alliance are delighted to announce the inaugural recipients of the Golden Opportunity Award, including Dr. Rebecca Chown, Dr. Melissa Macco, and Dr. Alyssa Putman.
Each award recognizes and supports optometrists who exemplify dedication to their profession and commitment to serving underrepresented and underserved communities. Each winner will receive $50,000 to open their own practice and be honored on June 20 at the AOSA Optometry Student Bowl during Optometry's Meeting in Nashville.
Dr. Melissa Macco of Reno, NV
Dr. Melissa Macco, who graduated from Western University College of Optometry in 2017, is a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Peru. Her journey is a testament to her family's hopes for a better future. "This award will be directly invested into the practice my husband and I are currently building," stated Dr. Macco. She aims to strengthen her relationships with Community Health Alliance (CHA) and NV Hopes Clinic to serve the Latino community, breaking down language, cultural, and economic barriers to access primary eye care. Dr. Macco's professional and personal goals are intertwined as she seeks financial freedom and demonstrates to her peers the viability and importance of independent private practice in optometry. Dr. Macco and her husband, Dr. Tim Huntting, plan to open their Family First Eyecare practice this summer in Reno.
Dr. Macco and the other Golden Opportunity Award recipients are applauded for their exemplary service and dedication to advancing optometric care in their communities. Their innovative and compassionate approaches embody the spirit and legacy of Dr. David Golden, the beloved founder of PERC.
For more information about the Golden Opportunity Award and how to support this initiative, please visit https://aoafoundation.org/our-programs/golden-opportunity-award?sso=y
Golden Opportunity Award
Report Your Concerns Regarding Managed Care Plan Abuses
Do you have a complaint or concern regarding abuses by managed care plans (i.e., vision or medical plans)? The NOA now has a reporting tool for you to use to submit your concerns.