Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship
2024 Recipients
Dr. Cade Oost Kara Dunkle
Dr. Cade Oost was awarded a $2500 scholarship in the Spring of 2024. A graduate of the Southern California College of Optometry, Dr. Oost is currently a Low Vision Resident at UC Berkeley. His interest in low vision started out in the academic study of genetics and inherited eye conditions. This led to the pursuit of a concurrent Masters in Vision Science while completing his OD and conducting research on cone loss in RP patients. Dr. Oost is the recipient of many awards and honors and has served patients at the Blind Children's Learning Center in Tustin, the Veterans Administration Hospital, the California School for the Blind and the UC Berkeley Eye Center Low Vision Clinic. He writes: "all of these experiences emphasized the multidisciplinary, individualized, and goal-oriented nature of low vision care, and revitalized my passion for a career in low vision rehabilitation." He will pursue a faculty position when his residency is completed and he hopes to "inspire the next generation of optometrists into appreciating the importance of low vision rehabilitation." Dr. Marlena Chu, his advisor, wrote "he is truly representative of the low vision community, clinicians, and academics. I know he will go on to be a leader in our field."
Optometry student Kara Dunkle was awarded a $1000 scholarship in the Spring of 2024. She is currently a student at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where she has served as President of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Club and the Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanty Club. In August of 2023, Kara planned a service trip to Great Exuma, Bahamas where their team helped perform eye exams on 2,000 patients. The nearest eye care provider was a 14 hour ferry ride away, so their services were greatly embraced and celebrated! Her advisor Dr. Roanne Flom noted "overall Kara has a longstanding and depp commitment to serving people with impaired vision. By capitalizing on learning opportunities, she has now become a highly effective low vision provider...moreover, she has the leadership skills to inspire others and to work together to accomplish hard things." Kara will continue her studies by completing a residency with the goal of working for the Veterans Affairs Low Vision Rehabilitation Department.