Access to Ophthalmology Scholarship

WIO is pleased to offer three scholarships for women who are URiM residents in ophthalmology and encourage all that are eligible to apply. We are aware that there are many groups that face adversity in our polarized social climate and groups that face disadvantages in our society. We are focused, however, to address the problem of women who belong to the group that are under-represented in medicine. Our definition of an eligible candidate is a resident whose racial and ethnic identity is under-represented in the medical profession relative to the general population. This includes those persons who identify as African American and/or Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/American Indian, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, and Mainland Puerto-Rican.

These scholarships include complimentary Summer Symposium Registration and a monetary stipend to apply towards the costs of attending the meeting. Applicants must be WIO members and currently enrolled in a residency program.

Recipients

Portrait of a woman with long, wavy dark hair, wearing a navy blue top and a small gold necklace, smiling at the camera with a neutral grey background.
desilva

2026 - Kirsten Da Silva, MD

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khanal

2026 - Rebika Khanal, MD

A woman with long, dark hair wearing a black blazer and dark top, smiling at the camera against a white background.
Panchal

2026 - Bhakti Panchal, MD

A woman with long, wavy dark hair, wearing a black blazer and a headband, smiles at the camera against a gray background.
Livingston

2024 - Chelsea Livingston, MD

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Oluwasola

2024 - Titilola Oluwasola, MD

A woman with medium brown skin and shoulder-length, twisted hair with lighter brown highlights is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a dark top and a delicate necklace, with a plain gray background behind her.
Propst

2024 - Shantara Propst, DO, MS

A woman with braided hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a white coat over a patterned blue top, and the background is a solid blue color.
Andoh

2023 - Joana Andoh, MD

A woman with long blonde hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a blue and white checked shirt and stands in front of a blue, textured background.
Naranjo

2023 - Andrea Naranjo, MD

A smiling woman with dark braided hair, wearing glasses and a navy blazer, is pictured in a professional headshot with a blurred background.
Simmons

2023 - Kirsten Simmons, MD, MHSc

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a green top and drop earrings, smiles at the camera against a dark, blurred background.
Becerra

2022 - Clara Castillejo Becerra, MD

A woman with short curly hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a gray blazer over a burgundy blouse and small earrings. The background is blurred and light-colored.
Ikpoh

2022 - Belinda Ikpoh, MD

A woman with dark braided hair, wearing a dark blazer and a light blue collared shirt, smiles in front of a plain gray background.
Thermozier

2022 - Stephanie Thermozier, MD

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a necklace and a dark top, smiles in front of a plain, light-colored background.
Chiou

2021 - Carolina Chiou, MD

A woman with dark skin and long, twisted braids smiles at the camera. She is wearing a white coat and a striped shirt, with a blue background behind her.
Sopeyin

2021 - Anuoluwapo Sopeyin, MD

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a dark blazer and white stud earrings, smiles at the camera against a plain gray background.
Villegas

2021 - Natacha Villegas, MD

A woman with long straight black hair and dark skin, wearing a white top and a gold necklace, smiles softly against a plain gray background.
Ocran

2020 - Cindy Ocran, MD