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Call for Nominations for the 2026 Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children's Vision Award

The National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH) has officially announced that it is calling for nominations for the 12th annual Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children's Vision Award. This prestigious national award aims to recognize individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions toward enhancing public health approaches related to children's vision and eye health.

About the Award and its Significance

Established in 2014, the award honors the legacy of Dr. Bonnie Strickland, who was instrumental in creating a comprehensive system to promote children's vision within the United States. Before her retirement in 2014, Dr. Strickland directed the Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Her work continues to inspire countless initiatives aimed at improving children's eye health.

This year, nominations are open until July 25, 2026, at noon ET. The award ceremony will take place in a virtual format on September 11, 2026, at 10 AM ET. The recipient will be awarded a commemorative plaque, national recognition, and the opportunity to share their success story through a 30-minute presentation at the award event.

Who Can Be Nominated?

Candidates for the Bonnie Strickland Award can be individual advocates or groups comprising diverse stakeholders. This includes families and caregivers, public health professionals, eyecare providers, educators, and community leaders who actively work to improve children's vision health and reduce disparities. Nominations should emphasize significant contributions in one or more of the following areas:

• - Community Engagement: Effective collaboration ensuring diverse representation from various racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• - Training and Education: Initiatives that offer valuable resources to educate stakeholders about children’s vision health.
• - Public Awareness: Campaigns and programs designed to raise awareness about the importance of eye health for children.
• - Resource Provisioning: Services aimed at delivering essential vision care resources.
• - Surveillance and Accountability: Efforts focused on monitoring and ensuring the quality of care in children's vision services.
• - Addressing Health Disparities: Metrics aimed at reducing inequities in children's vision and eye health services.
• - Infrastructure Development: Developments to enhance vision health systems at local, state, or national levels.
• - Integration with Overall Health: Linking vision health to broader issues in early childhood development and overall learning.

Previous Recipients

The 2025 award was given to Eye Thrive for its exemplary Wraparound Vision Services program. Notable recipients in past years have included the Alcon Children's Vision Center and influential figures in the field of pediatric ophthalmology, including Dr. Donny W. Suh. A detailed list of past awardees is available on the NCCVEH website, which showcases the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made a difference in children's vision health across the country.

How to Submit Nominations

For additional information or to submit a nomination for the 2026 Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children's Vision Award, interested parties can visit the NCCVEH nomination page. For direct inquiries, you may contact Ms. Donna Fishman at [email protected].

About the NCCVEH

The National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness is a leading organization in advocating for children's eye health. Its mission is dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight, raising awareness about eye health, and improving overall health through strategic advocacy and support for children's vision initiatives. If you're interested in contributing to eye health advocacy, please call (800) 331-2020 or visit the official NCCVEH website for more details.