UPIKE Newsroom

The University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) held its awards luncheon honoring the Class of 2024 in the Health Professions Education Building on May 3. 

Brittany Dawn Morris, O.D., was awarded the Dean’s Award, presented to a graduating student who has shown outstanding leadership while maintaining high academic standards.

Morris also received the Dedication to Transforming the Delivery of Eye Care Award. The award is presented to a student who demonstrates leadership both personally among their peers and professionally within the optometry field to transform the delivery of eye care for years to come and lead the profession to even greater heights. 

Seth Alexander Rhyne, O.D., received the President’s Award. The award is presented to the Class of 2024 Valedictorian.

Rhyne also received the Board of Trustees’ Award presented to a graduating senior who earned the highest score on Part One of the National Boards, along with the Beta Sigma Kappa Highest Grade Point Average Award given to the graduating student with the highest grade point average. 

Luke Alan Rhoton, O.D., received the Reeder Family Award, presented to a graduating student pursuing a residency and wanting to join academia. 

Rhoton also received the Optelec Excellence in Low Vision Award. The award is presented to a graduating student who has excelled academically or has contributed to a university service and has a special interest in low vision.

Allison L. Petty, O.D., received the Dr. Michael and Kelly Bacigalupi Family Award for Advanced Therapeutics. The award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated special interest and skill in the area of advanced therapeutics and laser treatment by optometrists. 

Petty also received the Dr. Ronald McCoy Community Service Award presented to a graduating student who exemplifies Dr. Ronald McCoy’s commitment to community service. 

In addition, Petty was awarded the Eschenbach Low Vision Student Award, which was presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding clinical application, exceptional aptitude and interest in the field of low vision.

Madison Faith Dillion, O.D., and Joshua D. Griffith, O.D., received the Ibironke Family Legacy and Leadership Award, instituted in 2020 by Josephine Ibironke, O.D., MPH, in honor of her parents, children and siblings. The award is presented to a graduate who consistently exemplifies discipline, empathy, dedication and humility in service to all patients. 

Dillion also received the National Vision Senior Award presented to the graduating student with a grade point average of at least 3.25 and demonstrated service throughout their schooling through outreach programs offered by the school or other avenues. 

Joshua D. Griffith, O.D., was also awarded the College of Optometrists in Vision Development Award of Excellence and presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated strong interest in clinical skills in the area of vision therapy. 

In addition, Griffith received the Pioneer International Senior Excellence Award. The award is presented to a graduating student who has shown excellence in care, compassion and consideration for not only their patients, but also for the field of optometry. 

Morgan Elizabeth Peters, O.D., received the Dr. Pierette Dayhaw-Barker Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Area of Medical Services, awarded to the KYCO graduating student with the highest GPA in the areas of medical science: anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry and microbiology. 

Hannah Massengale, O.D., received the Cooper Vision Contact Lens Award, awarded to an exceptional rising star with demonstrated excellence and growth as a contact lens clinician and demonstrates a high interest in contact lenses. 

Claire Elizabeth Forsythe, O.D., received the Contact Lens Clinic Excellence Award. The award is presented to a graduating student for outstanding enthusiasm and achievement with gas permeable contact lenses in the clinical environment. The award is sponsored by the Gas Permeable Lens Institute. 

Kelly Cahill Bollard, O.D., received the Good-Lite Pediatric Vision Care Award. The award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated a high passion and excellence in pediatrics and binocular vision.

Mark A. Eaves, O.D., received the Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care sponsored by Johnson and Johnson, recognizing an outstanding graduate clinician who has demonstrated excellence in contact lens patient care during their optometric education. 

Eaves also received the Kentucky Optometric Association Advocacy Award presented to the graduating student who is a vocal advocate for organized optometry, seeks to advance and protect the profession and demonstrates outstanding dedication and contribution to the profession, the KOA and the legislative process.

Hailey Champion Caudill, O.D., received the Commonwealth of Kentucky Award presented to a graduating student who is most passionate and committed to the excellence of eye care in Eastern Kentucky, sponsored by David Cowen, M.D., FACS. 

Savannah Mikalyn Meyer, O.D., received the Metro Optics Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care. The award is presented to an outstanding clinician who has demonstrated excellence in contact lens patient care, including the student’s overall knowledge in the contact lens field and skillful, considerate and professional care of their contact lens patients.

Celestine Rose Miller, O.D., received the Metro Optics Excellence in Contact Lens Skills. The award is presented to a graduating student who has shown exceptional skills in the fitting of gas-permeable and specialty contact lenses. 

Charles A. Dotson III, O.D., received the Pioneer International Senior Leadership Award, presented to a graduating student who has helped pave the way for not only their classmates and schoolmates but also incoming students. 

Doston also received the VSP Vision Private Practice Award, presented to a graduating student based on academic achievement, clinical and patient care, and leadership qualities, with a special focus on private practice. 

Kaitlyn Rose Creekmore, O.D., received the Southern Council of Optometrists Clinical Excellence Award, presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding clinical performance. 

Adriana Michelle Guardiola, O.D., received the Alcon 4th Year Optometry Student 2024 Case Report Award. The award is presented to the graduating student whose Case Report was chosen by the awards committee. 

Jacob Vaughan Plumley, O.D., received the MyEyeDr. Senior Excellence Award. The award is presented to a graduating student who has exemplified excellence in patient care, showcases exceptional leadership and a commitment to being a life-long learner with a special focus on corporate practice. 

The Distinguished Clinical Honors Award is presented to graduating students who have received at least four Honor grades during their six clinical rotations. Award winners included Savannah Meyer, O.D., Hannah Massengale, O.D., Kelly Bollard, O.D., Brandon Smith, O.D., Elizabeth Smith, O.D., Hunter Smith, O.D., Sarah Smith, O.D., and Madeline Marra, O.D. 

For more information about KYCO, visit upike.edu/kyco.