Dr. Howard Levin (right) is honored as MOA’s 2003 Optometrist of the Year by outgoing MOA President, Dr. Jeff Poland.

BALTIMORE — Optometrists from across the state gathered on November 22 to honor their colleagues at the Maryland Optometric Association's (MOA) Awards Dinner. Held at the exclusive Center Club in downtown Baltimore, this dinner is part of the MOA's Annual Convention and Continuing Education Forum.

Local Baltimore optometrist, Dr. Howard Levin, was named the MOA's 2003 Optometrist of the Year in recognition of his dedicated service to the profession and the citizens of Maryland. Levin graduated from the Penn

Dr. Paul Harris (center) is honored with MOA’s Melvin Waxman Award by past MOA presidents, Dr. Jeff Poland (left) and Dr. Tim Madgar (right).

sylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1972 and returned to Maryland to enter into private practice. He has served as the vice president of the Greater Baltimore Optometric Society (GBOS) and the MOA board vice president, president and legal legislative chairman. Levin currently serves on the quality assurance board of Blue Cross and is an active member of the MOA legislative committee attending weekly meetings, meeting with legislators and educating other optometrists about the legislative process.

Patricia Bennett (center) is presented the V. Eugene McCrary Award by Dr. Jeff Poland and Dr. Beverly Miller.

Dr. Paul Harris, of Cockeysville, was presented with the Melvin Waxman Award for long-term dedication to the profession of Optometry. Harris is a 1979 graduate of the State University of New York, State College of Optometry. He is board certified as a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the Australasian College of Behavioral Optometry, and the American Academy of Optometry. He has published many articles in professional journals and served as the clinical director of the Optometry Center of Maryland from 1987 to 1988. In 1991, Harris founded the Baltimore Academy for Behavioral Optometry and is currently the chief investigator in a research project regarding vision development problems of inner city youth.

Ms. Patricia Bennett, executive director of the Maryland State Board of E

MOA President Dr. Michael Sless (left) recognizes Dr. Tracie Farone-King as Young Optometrist of the Year.

xaminers in Optometry, was presented with the V. Eugene McCrary Award, which is given in recognition of a layperson or organization's significant contributions to the enhancement of eye care for the citizens of Maryland. Bennett has an MSW degree with a concentration in administration from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and a BA degree from Howard University. She began with the optometry board in February of 2000 and has attended and participated in the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry's annual meetings for the past three years. She was appointed to the Executive Directors/Administrator committee and has served on that committee for two years as a strong voice of Maryland optometry.

Also recognized by the MOA was Dr. Tracie Farone-King of Baltimore, as the Young Optometrist of the Year. She is one of the few optometrists in the state that has successfully opened a private practice so soon after graduation. While currently serving as the co-chair of the MOA's Third Party Committee, Farone-King is taking an active role in the legislative efforts of the association. She also participates in parent-teacher meetings on children's vision issues and promoting children's eye health awareness.

The MOA is a non-profit professional association dedicated to providing its members with the resources necessary to deliver the highest standard of professional eye care to the citizens of Maryland. It is the leader in providing continuing education for doctors of optometry and the "Voice of Optometry" before the Maryland General Assembly and the Board of Optometric Examiners.

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