(L to R) Jason Lake, OD, general manager of PERC Alliance, 2026 Golden Opportunity Award recipients Alelujah Ramirez, OD, and Jessi Sampson, OD, and Fabrizio Uguzzoni, president Americas professional solutions, EssilorLuxottica, at the 2026 Golden Opportunity Awards ceremony at Optometry’s Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz.
ST. LOUIS—PERC Alliance and The AOA Foundation’s Optometry Cares have announced Alelujah Ramirez, OD, of Houston, Texas, and Jessi Sampson, OD, of Sutton, W.Va., as recipients of the 2026 Golden Opportunity Award, presented during Optometry’s Meeting and AOA+ in Phoenix, Ariz. Now in its third year, the Golden Opportunity Award provides $50,000 in financial support to emerging optometrists pursuing independent practice ownership with emphasis on underserved populations and underrepresented individuals within the profession. Established in honor of Dr. David Golden, the award reflects his commitment to entrepreneurship, independent optometry, and expanding access to quality eyecare where it is needed most.
The 2026 application cycle attracted a record number of applicants, making this year’s selection process the most competitive in the program’s history, the groups advised. Applicants underwent a comprehensive review process, including evaluation by an independent selection board and finalist interviews designed to assess leadership potential, community impact, business vision, and commitment to serving populations with limited access to care.
“The growth of this program is a testament to Dr. Golden’s vision and the passion so many optometrists have for independent practice ownership,” said Dr. Jason Lake, general manager of PERC Alliance. “We are incredibly grateful to every applicant who shared their stories, aspirations, and commitment to serving their communities.
“The caliber of this year’s applicants made the selection process exceptionally difficult,” Dr. Lake continued. “While many applicants demonstrated a desire to improve access to care, Dr. Ramirez and Dr. Sampson distinguished themselves through thoughtful, well-developed business plans and a clear vision for creating sustainable practices. Their plans demonstrated not only a commitment to service, but a strong foundation for long-term success, making them outstanding recipients of this investment.”
Dr. Ramirez is a first-generation optometrist and daughter of immigrants who is launching Iris Eye Care & Eyewear in Houston, Texas, the announcement stated. Her vision for a bilingual, community-focused practice is centered on expanding access to quality eye care while helping address longstanding language, access, and continuity-of-care barriers in an underserved community.
“This award means more to me than I can fully express—it is a validation of the vision I have carried since optometry school and a reminder of why independent practice ownership matters so deeply to me,” said Dr. Ramirez. “Growing up in an immigrant household, I witnessed the barriers families face when navigating a healthcare system that wasn’t built with them in mind, and Iris Eye Care is my answer to that gap. The Golden Opportunity Award gives me the resources and confidence to build something lasting for my patients and my community.”
Dr. David Golden.
Dr. Sampson is returning to her rural West Virginia hometown to establish a new independent practice focused on addressing significant access-to-care challenges in Appalachia, the announcement stated. Her practice will serve a community where residents currently lack a local eyecare provider within 100 miles, helping bring quality vision care closer to home.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as a recipient of the Golden Opportunity Award,” said Dr. Sampson. “Coming from a rural background, I understand firsthand the challenges many communities face in accessing quality eyecare, and this award is a meaningful affirmation of the impact independent practice can have on expanding access to care. I am grateful for this recognition and excited for the opportunity to serve my community for years to come.”
Together, these recipients exemplify the purpose of the Golden Opportunity Award, empowering entrepreneurial optometrists who are committed to strengthening independent practice while improving access to care in communities that need it most, the groups shared in the announcement. Through investments in emerging practice owners like Dr. Ramirez and Dr. Sampson, the groups stated, the award continues to honor Dr. Golden’s belief that independent optometrists play a vital role in the health and vitality of their communities.
“This program would not be possible without the support of our donors and sponsors,” added Dr. Lake. “We are especially grateful to EssilorLuxottica, whose support as our premier sponsor has helped turn Dr. Golden’s vision into a lasting legacy for the profession. We also extend our sincere appreciation to CooperVision for its continued support of this important initiative and the doctors it serves.”
For more information about the Golden Opportunity Award, click here.
