VSP Global News

VSP Global® and Heart of America Eye Care Congress Select Recipient of First Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship

VSP Global and the Heart of America Eye Care Congress announced the recipient of the inaugural Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship (Fontana Scholarship): Nicholas A. Holtzman, BS, MS of the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. Holtzman received a $4,250 scholarship and a $750 travel grant to attend the 59th Annual Heart of America Eye Care Congress.

Holtzman, who just finished his third year, is an active member of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA). He has parlayed his involvement with the AOSA into several leadership opportunities including assistant class president and president of the Private Practice Club. In collaboration with another student organization, he recently created a campus trade show that invited representatives from a variety of industry organizations to present on eye care trends and new technology.  

Prior to attending optometry school, Holtzman earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology and became an exercise specialist for people undergoing cancer treatmen, and then a clinical allergy specialist.

Holtzman knew Dr. Fontana well and recalled in his application essay the influence he had on his career sharing, “I can honestly say, if it weren’t for him, I may not be writing this essay right now. I always knew I wanted to help people, but I just didn’t know in what capacity. When I met him, and he was still practicing in his 90s, I knew this would be the profession for me. Not just because he was still practicing in his 90s but because he loved what he did.”

The Fontana Scholarship was created in 2019 in honor of St. Louis optometrist Frank D. Fontana, also known as Uncle Frank, who passed away in 2018. Dr. Fontana is considered a standard-bearer in the optometry industry and founded the Contact Lens & Cornea section of the American Optometric Association and co-founded the Heart of America Contact Lens Society.

The Fontana scholarship is awarded to third- and fourth-year optometry students actively engaged in patient care, and applicants are judged in four areas in which Dr. Fontana excelled: 1) clinical performance, 2) empathetic patient care, 3) ability and interest to adopt modern technologies, and 4) a strong interest in developing and participating in the optometry community.

“We created the Fontana Scholarship to help support the next generation of optometrists just as Dr. Fontana did as a mentor to colleagues and students alike. We’re delighted to award Mr. Holtzman the inaugural scholarship to help him earn his education and continue contributing to the future of eye care,” said VSP Global Board Chairman Gordon Jennings, OD.

The Heart of America Eye Care Congress Past President Dr. Sean P. Mulqueeny said, “Late in 2018, the Heart of America’s board of directors recognized the importance of memorializing Dr. Fontana. This led to our developing the structure for this scholarship. Of all our applicants, Mr. Holtzman best exemplifies those qualities that defined Dr. Fontana. Dr. Fontana was also formative in Mr. Holtzman’s decision to pursue optometry. He was a mentor and close family friend. The Heart of America Eye Care Congress, together with VSP Global, is happy to partner to memorialize Dr. Fontana and offer this phenomenal annual tribute to optometry.”

Since 2010, VSP Global has provided more nearly $2 million in scholarship support to hundreds of optometry students.