General News
Current Student News
Optometry
Kirsten Tran ‘27OD admits she’s been feeling a little burned out, and during her busiest and most demanding weeks, it’s easy for her to lose sight of what she’s working toward in graduate school.
But it’s nothing a good news email won’t cure. And, that was the recent anecdote for Tran, who had just received word she had been awarded the J. Pat Cummings Scholarship from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF).
“This scholarship has not only validated the effort I’ve put in so far, but it has also given me renewed motivation to push through these last few exams, long clinic nights, and even boards,” said Tran.
Faculty members from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University – Doan Kwak, OD, Resident ‘13, FAAO, Maria Armandi, OD ‘92, Resident ‘93, and Jeffrey Weaver, OD ‘85, MBA, MS, FAAO, FACHE, nominated Tran for the award.
The scholarship, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, is awarded annually to the second-or third-year students at each of the North American schools and colleges of optometry who demonstrate the ideal eye care standards of practice, achievement in both academic performance and extra-curricular activities, and participation with other professional pursuits such as involvement with patients through internships, community service and other volunteer activities.
J. Pat Cummings, OD, FAAO, was a past president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), described as a "powerful voice for the profession and a tireless champion for public health," who was killed in a plane crash in 2009.
While at PCO/Drexel, Tran has participated in Remote Area Medical (RAM) screenings and recently returned from a service trip to Jamaica with the PCO/Drexel chapter of the Student Optometric Service to Humanity (SOSH), of which she serves as vice president. She is also president of the College’s chapter of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA).
“I am incredibly honored and grateful; it means a great deal to know that the time and effort I’ve dedicated to my studies and extracurricular commitments have been recognized by the faculty and administrators I deeply respect,” said Tran. “It makes all the sacrifices I’ve made along the way feel more meaningful.”
In addition, Tran was also the recipient of the University’s Provost Scholarship, $12,000 per year awarded on a holistic basis. Individual programs at the University determine the minimum GPA/test scores for eligibility as well as renewability.
