Edition 2022

International Optometrist of the Year Award 2022

Janet L. Leasher, OD, MPH, FAAO, FNAP, is a professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1986. In 1999, she obtained her Master’s in Public Health in International Health and Development from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

In 2007, she was named Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and in 2017 she was recognized as a Fellow of the National Academy of Practice in Optometry. She was named Professor of the Year 2022 by NSU College of Optometry and has been nominated as University-wide Distinguished Professor of the Year.

Her connection with UPC-FOOT began when she served as the North American coordinator of the UNESCO Chair in Visual Health and Development from 2004 to 2016. During those years, she visited FOOT-UPC many times, collaborating in the development of courses, educational seminars, and cooperative projects.

In addition to teaching in public health, she conducts research focused on program evaluation, global epidemiology, and global access to quality eye care, publishing over 75 articles with more than 65,000 citations.

She currently serves at the United States National Eye Institute as a member of the National Eye Health Education Program planning group and actively participates in several international optometry and public health associations.

Janet L. Leasher

OD, MPH, FAAO, FNAP

Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. Specialist in public health, global epidemiology, and access to eye care.