Prizes and Awards

The Troutman Véronneau Prize was established in 1993 to recognize the best work submitted by an ophthalmologist under the age of 45, alternating between cornea and strabismus. The winner receives a $10,000 prize and presents the winning paper at the PAAO congresses. The Troutman-Véronneau Prize was established by Richard C. Troutman, MD, and Suzanne Véronneau, MD, of New York City.

Click here for the historical list of recipients.

Guidelines and Application Form

2023 Application Deadline: December 1, 2022

**Must present to receive the prize; no substitution presenter allowed**

The next Paul Kayser/ RRF Global Award will be presented at the 35th Pan-American Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in March 2023.

Established in 2012, the Paul Kayser/ RRF Global Award was conceived as a vehicle for the recognition of outstanding achievement in visual science, with preference given to the specialized field of research on the retina and vitreous. The purpose of the award is to identify and recognize a vision science professional whose work has made a significant new contribution to knowledge about improving vision and the prevention of blindness.

One award in the amount of $50,000 (US) will be given in conjunction with the biennial Pan-American Congresses. The first award was presented at the 30th Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The award is funded by the Retina Research Foundation. For more information, contact [email protected].

Guidelines PDF and Application form

2023 Nomination Deadline: December 1, 2022

Click here for the historical list of recipients.

**Must present to receive the prize; no substitution presenter allowed**

The Dr. Bronwyn Bateman PAAO Award for Women’s Leadership in Ophthalmology and Vision Research was established in 2020 and was conceived by Lynn Gordon, M.D. Ph.D. of UCLA and created by J. Bronwyn Bateman, MD of Sacramento, California.

The award recognizes a female ophthalmologist from the Americas, Spain, or Portugal as a leader in research, education, clinical care, and organizational, governmental, or public health contributions.

The prize is $5,000, awarded at the Pan-American Congress opening ceremony.

Read more in the guidelines PDF.

Nomination Form Deadline is December 1, 2022

**Must present to receive the prize; no substitution presenter allowed**

The first Fernando Arévalo Young Ophthalmologist Award was presented at the 34th Pan-American Congress in Cancun, Mexico, in May 2019.

The Fernando Arévalo Young Ophthalmologist Award was established in 2019 to provide a vehicle for the recognition of outstanding achievement of a young ophthalmologist who is a member of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) and who resides in the Americas, Spain or Portugal; who has demonstrated caring and service in their home community above and beyond what is required or expected; who has demonstrated promise in academics; who has published and presented relatively extensively for his/her age; and who has participated in leadership activities in national and/or subspecialty societies or supranational societies. The award also desires to serve to motivate other young ophthalmologists to serve in similar programs, and organizations, and to follow a career in academics.

The winner receives a $2,500 prize and presents a mini-lecture at the PAAO congress. The Fernando Arévalo Young Ophthalmologist Award was established by J. Fernando Arévalo, MD, a native of Venezuela.

Click here for the historical list of recipients.

Guidelines and nomination form (deadline December 1, 2022)

**Must present to receive the prize; no substitution presenter allowed**

The Enrique Graue Wiechers Award for Transformational Leadership: Established in 2019, recognizes a senior ophthalmologist’s contribution to the development of institutions through the advancement of patient care, research, education, and training of human resources in Ophthalmology. The winner receives $2,500. The award was established by the Alumni of Dr. Enrique Graue Wiechers.

Historical list of recipients

This award is nominated by special committee.

Executive Committee / Board of Directors Nominated

Established in 1983, the Pan-American Medal for Distinguished Services Award is presented at Pan-American congresses to individuals who have provided exemplary service to the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology for continuing education for ophthalmologists, the prevention of blindness and the promotion of scientific and cultural exchange among ophthalmologists in the Western Hemisphere. The name change took place in 1999 to honor A. Edward Maumenee, MD, for his extensive contribution to the Pan-American cause, making the award to be the A. Edward Maumenee Medal for Distinguished Services. Click here for the list of historical recipients.

The Benjamin F. Boyd Humanitarian Award for Services to the Americas was established in 1987 to acknowledge individuals who have extended singular and significant service to the people of the Americas through ophthalmological service and blindness prevention activities, public services related to the advancement of ophthalmology or blindness prevention, or such other service activities. Click here for the historical list of recipients

The Gradle Medal for Good Teaching was established in 1960 by Mrs. Audry Hayden Gradle in memory of Harry S. Gradle, MD, co-founder of the PAAO. The Gradle Medal for Teaching acknowledges excellence in teaching and education in the field of ophthalmology. This award recognizes a professor ophthalmologist who has demonstrated leadership in developing, implementing, or maintaining an outstanding training program and/or continuing education in the field of Ophthalmology. The awardee exemplifies excellence and promotes best practice in education. The awardee promotes positive relationships between the training program and the community and has been an advocate and leader in the field of Ophthalmology. Click here for the historical list of recipients.