William Van Essen Award Nominees & Recipients

Dr. William J. Van Essen

The name of Van Essen is symbolic with the profession of optometry at its finest. Dr. William J. Van Essen was a pioneer in the field. He epitomized the highest level of private and public service as an optometrist.

Dr. Van Essen, who practiced optometry in Pittsburg for 55 years, was a leader in both the state and national optometric associations. He was president of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association from 1920-1923, and was given honorary life memberships in both state and national organizations. He served as parliamentarian of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and American Optometric Association, and was a candidate for the United States Senate for the Socialist Party.

Optometrists in Pennsylvania always will be indebted to Dr. Van Essen for his efforts that led to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision declaring optometry an independent profession.

Dr. Van Essen loved his profession, and optometry has responded in kind. The Pennsylvania Optometric Association considers it an honor and privilege to name its highest service award after a man who gave so much to his profession.

The William Van Essen Award

Annually, societies may select a lay group and/or individual to receive their society's William Van Essen Award, and submit the name(s) to the POA for the annual state Van Essen Award. This award is instituted in memory of Dr. William Van Essen, who was instrumental in the licensing of the profession of optometry in Pennsylvania.

Recipients of the William Van Essen Award