AAO 2026 Outstanding Humanitarian Award
First awarded in 1992, the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award recognizes U.S. and international Academy members for significant contributions to humanitarian efforts, such as participation in charitable activities, care of the indigent, and community service. It acknowledges those who have performed above and beyond the typical duties of an ophthalmologist.
The Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award—which has been combined with the International Blindness Prevention Award since 2021—is presented during the Opening Ceremony of the annual meeting. The Academy selects up to two recipients per year.
Nominee Eligibility & Selection Criteria
A “No” to any of these immediately disqualifies the nominee from further consideration.
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WIO Sponsorship: The individual must be formally submitted as a WIO-sponsored nominee.
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Dual Membership: The nominee must hold active membership in both Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
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Good Standing: The nominee must be a member in good standing with both organizations at the time of the vote.
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AAO Status: Must be a Fellow, Member, or International Member of the Academy.
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No Self-Nominations: The nomination must have been submitted by a third party.
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Previous Awards: The individual must not have previously received the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award (limited to once per lifetime).
2. Core Service Criteria
The nominee should verify a demonstrated pattern of humanitarian service over at least several years in the U.S. or abroad, including:
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Provision of free care to indigent populations.
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Service in inner-city, rural, or international locations with disadvantaged persons.
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Care for underprivileged individuals of specific racial or ethnic backgrounds.
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Service performed in settings of high personal risk to the ophthalmologist.