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OPAG Awards
2005 APHA AwardeeOPAG Lester Caplan Award
The Lester Caplan Award is to recognize a PHS tribal direct hire
or PHS civil service optometrist who has demonstrated exemplary work
as evidenced by a specific accomplishment(s) toward the mission of
the PHS. This award may be presented annually by the Optometry
Professional Advisory Group (OPAG).
Lester Caplan, O.D., M.Ed., the “Father of Indian Health Service
Optometry”, took time from his Baltimore, Maryland practice to serve
as a special consultant to the Director of the Indian Health Service
(IHS) from 1969 to 1985 charged with establishing and developing
optometric services, facilities and staff throughout the IHS
healthcare system. Named to commemorate Dr. Caplan’s commitment and
founding contributions to IHS Optometry, this award honors and
recognizes those whose achievements have likewise enhanced the
health and vision of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
NOMINATION PACKAGE:
Past Awardees:
2010 CJ Thompson2008 Dr. Pamela Steffes
OPAG Edward Hamilton Award
The Edward Hamilton Award is presented to a career USPHS
Optometry Commissioned Officer who is recognized by his/her peers
for outstanding work as evidenced by a specific accomplishment(s)
toward the mission of the PHS. This award may be presented annually
by the Optometry Professional Advisory Group (OPAG).
CAPT James E. Hamilton brought eighteen years of active duty
experience with the Air Force and Marine Corp to end his uniformed
career with twelve years of distinguished duty in the US Public
Health Service Commissioned Corps. Assigned to the Indian Health
Service (IHS), CAPT Hamilton’s exceptional leadership and clinical
abilities were reflected in his appointment by the Director to be
the first Indian Health Service Senior Consultant for Optometry in
1976. His exceptional service in this position, overseeing and
nurturing the fledgling IHS optometric program, established a course
of consistent growth in clinical facilities and staff as well as
quality patient care. Named to honor CAPT Hamilton’s insight,
integrity, dedicated leadership and persistent hard work, it is for
the demonstration of those same qualities in contributing to the
mission of the Public Health Service that this award honors and
recognizes its recipients.
NOMINATION PACKAGE:
Past Awardees: