Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship

Funder: Heart of America Eye Care Congress in collaboration with VSP Vision

Award Amount: $4,250 scholarship plus $750 travel grant to attend the Heart of America Eye Care Congress in February 2027

Program Focus: Honors the legacy of Dr. Frank D. Fontana, a pioneering St. Louis optometrist who practiced for nearly 70 years and was known as "Uncle Frank" for his mentorship and advocacy throughout the optometric profession.

Key Requirements

• Recipient must attend the Heart of America Eye Care Congress in February 2027 to receive the scholarship and travel grant
• One optometry student awarded annually

About Dr. Frank D. Fontana

Dr. Fontana (1922-2018) was an internationally recognized optometrist who:

• Served as mentor and advocate for countless optometric educators and future leaders
• Was a pioneer in contact lens technology, training colleagues throughout the U.S.
• Founded the Contact Lens & Cornea Section of the American Optometric Association (AOA)
• Co-founded the Heart of America Contact Lens Society
• Held leadership positions in the Missouri Optometric Association and AOA
• Graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in 1949
• Practiced in St. Louis from 1950 until his death in October 2018 at age 96
• Served in World War II (35 months in Army, 28 stationed in Europe)
• Educated under the G.I. Bill

Geographic Scope

Eligible Residency Areas: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Nebraska

OR: Students enrolled at University of Missouri College of Optometry or Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (regardless of residency)

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a third or fourth year optometry student in good standing
• Must be attending any school or college of optometry
• Must have residency from one of the five Heart of America Eye Care Congress member states (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska)
• OR provide proof of enrollment at University of Missouri College of Optometry or Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
• Must attend Heart of America Eye Care Congress to receive the scholarship and travel grant

Application Process

1. Submit a 1,500-word written essay addressing how you demonstrate the four professional characteristics at which Dr. Fontana excelled:
   • Clinical performance
   • Empathetic patient care
   • Ability and interest to adopt technology
   • Strong interest in developing/participating in the OD community
2. Provide two letters of recommendation from faculty demonstrating how you display the above characteristics
   • At least one letter must be from the applicant's clinical faculty
3. Email all materials to: president@hoaecc.org

Required Materials

• 1,500-word essay
• Two letters of recommendation (minimum one from clinical faculty)

Deadline

December 31, 2026