HOYA Vision Care has announced the Adam Young of Southern College of Optometry Class of 2014 inaugural “Dr. Charles Comer Community Service Award.”
“We are committed to supporting the best of the best in the field of optometry,” says Barney Dougher, president of HOYA Vision Care, NA. “We have worked with some amazing people over the years to establish sustainable programs that can continue to help those who have made a commitment to the profession.”
The Dr. Charles Comer Community Service Award joins The Hoya Vision Care Wilma Mankiller scholarship created at Northeastern State University School of Optometry for American Indians, The Hoya Vision Care Opportunity Fund established at Western University of Health Sciences for Hispanic Americans, and the HOYA Grant and Scholarship program.
Charles Comer, OD, one of five children, was raised in East Chicago, Ind. In 1960, he and his classmate, Clarence Curry, OD, of Gary, Ind., became the first African-American graduates of the IU School of Optometry. After graduation, Dr. Comer pursued a career in the US Air Force and later he became the first African-American optometrist in East Chicago and practiced there for over 44 years.
He dedicated much of his time to the advancement of African-Americans. Among many other organizations, he was a member of the NAACP, Indiana Black Expo State Board, State Board of Health Black and Minority Health Advisory Committee, Lake County Minority Health Coalition. For his dedication to NOA, he was awarded the NOA Optometrist of the Year Award in 1996.
Presenting the award were Dr. Vicki Hughes NOA President, Rosalyn Comer and Mike Elton, HOYA’s Director of Professional Services.
