Golden Opportunity Award
About

The Golden Opportunity Award is a collaborative effort between The AOA Foundation and PERC Alliance celebrating the memory and impact of PERC co-founder, David Golden, O.D., who passed away after a long-fought battle with cancer in 2021.

Throughout his life, Dr. Golden was passionate about elevating those around him, helping others climb the ladder of success, and creating a more equitable world. The Golden Opportunity Award was created to ensure Dr. Golden’s uplifting legacy lives on by supporting those who are underrepresented within the optometric community.

Annually, at Optometry’s Meeting in June, up to three deserving optometrists will be awarded $50,000 to help achieve their dream of owning their first independent practice.

Would you like to be part of the Legacy?
You can help make dreams come true and honor Dr. David Golden by supporting the Golden Opportunity Award. Together, we can empower the next generation of optometrists and uphold Dr. Goldens’ legacy of empowerment. Demonstrate your support by making a monetary donation to The AOA Foundation. Designate your contribution to the Golden Opportunity Award program, ensuring that deserving individuals receive the financial support necessary to build their futures.
Donate Today
The 2026 Award Winners
Meet the recipients of the 2026 Golden Opportunity Award, each awarded $50,000 to open their own practice. These outstanding individuals exemplify dedication to their profession and a commitment to serving underrepresented and underserved communities.
Announcing the 2026 Golden Opportunity Award Winners

Witness a truly special moment as PERC General Manager Dr. Jason Lake delivers the wonderful, life-changing news to the 2026 winners – Dr. Alelujah Ramirez and Dr. Jessi Sampson. Their emotional reactions are a powerful testament to this award’s significance in providing the tangible support they need to finally build the practices they've always envisioned. This moment is more than just an announcement; it's the dawn of a new chapter, brimming with possibility and dedicated service.

Dr. Alelujah Ramirez
Owner, Iris Eye Care & Eyewear (Houston, TX)
Dr. Ramirez is a first-generation optometrist and daughter of immigrants who is launching Iris Eye Care & Eyewear in Houston, Texas. Her vision for a bilingual, community-focused practice is centered on expanding access to quality eye care while helping address longstanding language, access, and continuity-of-care barriers in an underserved community.

"This award means more to me than I can fully express - it is a validation of the vision I have carried since optometry school and a reminder of why independent practice ownership matters so deeply to me," said Dr. Ramirez. " Growing up in an immigrant household, I witnessed the barriers families face when navigating a healthcare system that wasn't built with them in mind, and Iris Eye Care is my answer to that gap. The Golden Opportunity Award gives me the resources and confidence to build something lasting for my patients and my community.”
Dr. Jessi Sampson
Opening New Independent Practice (Sutton, West Virginia)
Dr. Sampson is returning to her rural West Virginia hometown to establish a new independent practice focused on addressing significant access-to-care challenges in Appalachia. Her practice will serve a community where residents currently lack a local eye care provider within 100 miles, helping bring quality vision care closer to home.

"It is an incredible honor to be selected as a recipient of the Golden Opportunity Award," said Dr. Sampson. "Coming from a rural background, I understand firsthand the challenges many communities face in accessing quality eye care, and this award is a meaningful affirmation of the impact independent practice can have on expanding access to care. I am grateful for this recognition and excited for the opportunity to serve my community for years to come."
Application Overview
Ready to break ground in independent practice and serve those in need? The Golden Opportunity Award seeks passionate optometrists committed to underserved communities. Our streamlined application process fosters transparency and efficiency, allowing you to confidently showcase your qualifications.

The application itself will ask for basic demographics, financial history, and details that will help us understand your future loan viability. Don’t miss this golden opportunity – the application period will open this fall.
Application Period Closed
The 2027 application period opens this fall.
Application & Review
A dedicated committee will carefully evaluate all applications, considering your achievements, goals, financial background, and your dedication to serving underserved communities.
Finalist Selection (April 2027)
In April, shortlisted finalists will be notified and invited to present their vision for their independent practice to the award committee. This can be done either virtually or in person.
Award Announcement (June 2027)
The much-anticipated moment arrives! Award winners will be announced at Optometry’s Meeting in June 2027.