UPIKE Newsroom

The University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) held its awards luncheon honoring the Class of 2026 in the Health Professions Education Building on May 1.

Haleigh Morgan Shelton, O.D., received the Dean’s Award, presented to a graduating student who has shown outstanding leadership while maintaining high academic standards.

Shelton also received the Pioneer International Senior Leadership Award, presented to a graduating student who has helped pave the way for not only their classmates and schoolmates, but also incoming students.

Fate Lyn Brunswick, O.D., was awarded the President’s Award presented to the Class of 2026 Valedictorian.

Brunswick also received the Dr. Pierrette Dayhaw-Barker Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Area of Medical Sciences, awarded to the KYCO graduating student with the highest GPA in the areas of medical science: anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry and microbiology.

Amra Turkes, O.D., received the Board of Trustees’ Award presented to a graduating senior who earned the highest score on Part One of the National Boards.

Turkes was also awarded the Eschenbach Low Vision Student Award, presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding clinical application, exceptional aptitude and interest in the field of low vision.

Julia Renee Otman, O.D., was awarded the Earl T. Reeder Memorial Award, presented to a graduating student who is pursuing a residency and has a desire to join academia.

Matthew McCall, O.D., was awarded the Dr. Michael and Kelly Bacigalupi Family Award

for Advanced Therapeutics presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated special interest and skill in the area of advanced therapeutics and laser treatment by optometrists.

Deanna Nicole Dale, O.D., received the Ibironke Family Legacy & Leadership Award instituted in 2020 by Josephine Ibironke, O.D., MPH, in honor of her parents, children and siblings.

This award is presented to a graduate who consistently exemplifies discipline, empathy, dedication and humility in service to all patients.

Dale was also awarded the College of Optometrists in Vision Development Award of Excellence, presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated strong interest

and clinical skills in the area of vision therapy.

Bryan Ramirez, O.D., was awarded the Dr. Ronald McCoy Community Service Award, presented to a graduating student who exemplifies Dr. Ronald McCoy’s commitment to community service.

Jonathan David Droke, O.D., was awarded the Dr. Caitlynn Estevez and Estevez Family Award

presented to a graduating student from one of the 21 U.S. coalfield states who has maintained good academic standing and demonstrates a positive attitude, willingness to learn and strong clinical professionalism. This award honors students who reflect the hard work and resilience

that define coalfield communities.

Carliegh R. Deitsch, O.D., received the Beta Sigma Kappa Highest Grade Point Average Award, presented to the graduating Beta Sigma Kappa member with the highest GPA.

Deitsch was also awarded the VSP Vision Private Practice Award, presented to a graduating student based on academic achievement, clinical and patient care and leadership

qualities with a special focus on private practice.

Lauren Jene Richey, O.D., was awarded the AEG Visionary Optometry Student Award, presented to a graduating student who has a clear vision for their career and contributions to the profession.

Richey also received the Good-Lite Pediatric Vision Care Award, presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated a high passion and excellence in pediatrics and binocular vision.

Savannah Leigh Upshaw, O.D., received the Dedication to Transforming the Delivery of Eye Care Award, presented to a student who demonstrates leadership both personally among their peers and professionally within the optometry field to transform the delivery of eye care for years to come and lead this profession to even greater heights. This award is sponsored by EyeCare Partners.

Joel Baidoo, O.D., was awarded the Contact Lens Clinic Excellence Award, presented to a graduating student for outstanding enthusiasm and achievement with gas permeable contact lenses in the clinical environment. This award is sponsored by the Gas Permeable Lens Institute.

Shawn Busche, O.D., received the Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care, presented to a graduating student who has outstanding clinical patient care as demonstrated by the student’s

overall knowledge in the contact lens field and skillful, considerate and professional care of their contact lens patients.  This award is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

Bruin Thomas Jones, O.D., was awarded the Kentucky Optometric Association Advocacy Award

The KOA Advocacy Award is presented to the graduating KYCO student who is a vocal advocate for organized optometry, seeks to advance and protect the profession and demonstrates outstanding dedication and contribution to the profession, the Kentucky Optometric Association and the legislative process.

Joshua Charles Weller, O.D., received the Metro Optics Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care, presented to an outstanding clinician who has demonstrated excellence in contact lens patient care, including the student’s overall knowledge in the contact lens field and skillful,

considerate and professional care of their contact lens patients.

Hannah Lyn Budde, O.D., was awarded the Metro Optics Excellence in Contact Lens Skills

presented to a graduating student who has shown exceptional skills in the fitting of gas permeable and specialty contact lenses.

James Alexander Lemarr, O.D., received the MyEyeDr. Senior Excellence Award, presented to a graduating student who has exemplified excellence in patient care, showcases exceptional

leadership and a commitment to being a life-long learner with a special focus on corporate practice.

Lauren Emily Bailey, O.D., was awarded the National Vision Senior Award, presented to the graduating student who has a grade point average of at least 3.25 and demonstrated service

throughout their schooling through outreach programs offered by the school or through other avenues.

Austin Dewayne Orion Thomas, O.D., was awarded the Pioneer International Senior Excellence Award, presented to a graduating student who has shown excellence in care, compassion and consideration for not only their patients, but also for the field of optometry.

Gabriel Alexander McCuiston, O.D., received the Southern Council of Optometrists Clinical Excellence Award, presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding clinical performance.

Anna Elizabeth Rowe, O.D., was awarded the Optelec Excellence in Low Vision Award, presented to a graduating student who has excelled academically or has contributed to a university service, and has a special interest in low vision.

Devyn Hallie Nathan Mandala, O.D., was awarded the CooperVision Bright Fellows Contact Lens Leadership Award, presented to a student’s commitment to expanding their contact lens education through academic events, industry conferences, and state optometric association meetings.