Danielle Smith, a senior enrolled in Ferris State University’s Michigan College of
Optometry, received the Essilor Private Practice Student Travel Fellowship to attend
the American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting.
“This means a great deal to me to have won the award,” said Smith of Gladwin, Mich.
Smith attended the American Academy of Optometry meeting in October in Phoenix, Ariz., after being recommended for the fellowship by Dr. Amy Dinardo, an assistant professor in the MCO.
“I expressed interest in attending the meeting to Dr. Dinardo, and as a college student I knew I would not be able to afford to attend,” said Smith, who will graduate in May. “I was excited to attend. I was able to broaden my knowledge of the profession, learn more about residences and to network within the optometric community.”
The fellowship is a monetary award offered to third- and fourth-year students that helps cover the cost of traveling to attend the annual meeting. Only one annual award is offered.