Danne Ventura of Essilor of America to be Honored at OWA's Eleventh Annual Pleiades Award Event

New York — Danne Venture, an experienced dispensing optician, contact lens fitter and ophthalmic medical assistant has been selected as this year's recipient of the eleventh annual Pleiades Award which will be presented by the Optical Women's Association (OWA) on Friday March 19th, 2010.

Currently Danne serves as the Director of Professional Relations for Essilor of America. She has worked extensively in opticianry, optometry and ophthalmology. Her recent focus has been on school support systems, administering grants and creating and implementing student events.

She is an A.B.O. certified optician, N.C.L.E. registered contact lens fitter, J.C.A.H.P.O. certified ophthalmic medical assistant and Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, National Academy of Opticianry and the Opticians Association of America.

Danne is renowned for her extensive lecturing, teaching and publishing in the optical field. She has an extraordinary track record and the Pleiades award adds to her list of awards including:

• Co-recipient with Rodney Tahran O.D., American Optometric Student Association, The Ray I. Meyers Award (now The Founders Award), 1993
• National Federation of Opticianry Schools Person of the Year Award, 1995
• Jobson Publishing
  • 50 Most Influential Women in Optical, 2003
  • 20 Most Influential Women in Optical, 2007
  • Optical's Most Influential Women, Mentors, 2008
• ATPO (Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology) President's Award, 2004
• NAO (National Academy of Opticianry) Certificate of Recognition Award, 2006
• JCAHPO (Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology) Statesmanship Award, 2007

A leader and veteran contributor, she currently serves and has served on key boards within the industry including:

• Board of Directors for the National Academy of Opticianry, 2002-present, President 2009-present
• Board of Directors, Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology Education and Research Foundation, 2001-present, Treasurer 2004-present
• Advisory Board, VCA Education Task Force, 2003-2007
• Commissioner, Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, 2006-present
• Advisory Board New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, New York Ophthalmic Dispensing Program 1994-2000, 2003-present
• Advisory Board Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey Ophthalmic Dispensing Program 1995-present
• Advisory Board EyeQuest Conference 1996-1997
• Chairman, Associate Member Relations, Opticians Association of America 1996-1997

The Pleiades Award spotlights an individual who has shown commitment to the mission of the OWA by fostering the growth of women in the industry. This award is named for the star cluster Pleiades in the Taurus constellation. The Pleiades is also known as the "Seven Sisters" referring to the seven brightest stars in the cluster.

Back to: February 2010 Newsletter

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