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Two alumnae from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University are celebrating a major honor, earning 2026 Theia Awards of Excellence from Women in Optometry (WO).
Riya Paranthan, OD ‘14, was named the Leadership Winner, while Emilie K. Seitz, OD ’20, FAAO, was named the Young OD Winner. Both will be recognized with a champagne toast at the close of the 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference on Sept. 29, 2026, in Anaheim, California. This event is being held within the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting (AAO) and included in the conference’s schedule of events.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Paranthan has held leadership roles at the state and national levels, dedicating herself to advancing the profession while mentoring others, promoting collaboration and paving pathways for future leaders in optometry. She is on the Washington State Board of Optometry and is also chair of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Review Committee.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to learn from mentors who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself; their kindness continues to shape the leader I strive to be,” said Dr. Paranthan. “Whether caring for patients, mentoring colleagues or serving our profession, I hope to lead with humility, compassion and purpose and leave the place a little bit better than I found it. If my work helps someone discover their confidence, opens a door to a new opportunity or simply helps them feel seen and supported, I consider that the greatest measure of success.”
Leadership is nothing new for Dr. Paranthan. During her time at PCO, she served as the student liaison for the College’s chapter of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA). After graduation, she went on to serve as the final president of the Salus University Alumni Association before its merger with Drexel University in July 2025.
After earning her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Kentucky, Dr. Paranthan conducted research in ophthalmology, an experience that solidified her desire to pursue a career in eye care and vision. Once she saw the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus of PCO, she fell in love with the institution and its people including her husband, Rohit Sachdeva, OD ‘14, who proposed to her on their PCO/Salus graduation day.
In 2023, Dr. Paranthan was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to serve on the Washington State Board of Optometry and then subsequently was reappointed by the governor for a second term. She was unanimously elected to be vice chair of the board and is also a part of the three-member committee responsible for the interpretation, rule making and implementation of Bill SSB 5389, otherwise known as The Access to Eyecare Act, which now authorizes Washington optometrists to practice advanced procedures, expanding the scope of practice in that state.
She currently chairs the National Board of Examination Review Committee (NBERC), organized through Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO_, which works alongside the NBEO. She also serves as vice chair the Washington State Board of Optometry. Dr. Paranthan is a medical optometrist at Northwest Eye Clinic in Bellingham, Washington.
Dr. Seitz works at Midwest Eye Center in Cincinnati, and is a member of the American Academy of Optometry’s Anterior Segment Section Committee. According to her award bio, she has delivered more than 20 lectures and interviews and authored more than 25 publications.
In an interview with Women in Optometry, she said being a young OD means believing that her greatest contributions are still ahead of her. She described the award as a reminder that resilience not only carries us through difficult seasons, but also prepares us to lead in those that follow.
“It’s recognizing that experience isn’t measured only by the number of years you’ve practiced but by your willingness to keep learning, adapting and leading,” Dr. Seitz told Women in Optometry. “Our profession is rapidly evolving and I’ve learned to wear my perseverance as a badge of honor, understanding that the path doesn’t have to be straight nor stable to keep moving forward.”
Women in Optometry is a prominent multi-platform media and resource organization dedicated to supporting female optometrists through networking, leadership conferences, and career mentorship.
