The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is honored to announce Andrew Vanacore and Dr. Amber Naqvi as the 2026 recipients of the Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship, a fund established to support future leaders in low vision optometry and ophthalmology.

Created in memory of Bill Mattingly, the scholarship reflects a commitment to advancing compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals living with visual impairments. The scholarship supports students and professionals whose work focuses on improving independence, quality of life, and functional outcomes for patients with low vision.

“This scholarship recognizes academic excellence and passion for patient care in the niche field of low vision optometry and ophthalmology,” said Julie Mattingly. “We are proud to support emerging leaders in the field with a financial award that helps with conference travel and student expenses tied to their academic programs. One of my favorite moments is corresponding with past recipients who in turn are writing letters of recommendation for the next generation of applicants.”

Advancing Research and Patient Care

Andrew Vanacore is a third-year combined OD/MS student at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. His thesis research in the Dougherty Lab focuses on developing strategies to train drivers with vision impairment to obtain their bioptic license, helping expand mobility opportunities for individuals with low vision.

Vanacore’s interest in low vision care was inspired by his grandmother’s experience with central vision loss and the impact her optometrist had on helping her maintain independence and quality of life.

Reflecting on the scholarship, Vanacore shared:

“This scholarship represents both a meaningful recognition of my commitment to low vision care and encouragement to continue pursuing my passion for improving the lives of patients with visual impairment.”

Expanding Access and Advocacy

Dr. Amber Naqvi is currently completing her Low Vision and Ocular Disease Residency at the Illinois College of Optometry, where she serves as an attending optometrist and laboratory instructor for optometry students.

Her work focuses on vision rehabilitation and improving access to care for underserved and special needs populations through nonprofit, community-based, and international clinical experiences. She is especially passionate about interdisciplinary low vision care, patient advocacy, and education for future clinicians.

For Dr. Naqvi, the scholarship represents affirmation of the values that led her to the field.

“Receiving the Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me because it reflects the values that drew me to low vision care in the first place — compassion, patient-centered care, and restoring hope and independence,” she said. “It reinforces my commitment to helping individuals with visual impairment remain hopeful and recognize what remains possible.”

The Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship Fund continues to support the next generation of leaders committed to improving the lives of individuals with visual impairments through innovation, advocacy, and compassionate care.

For more information about the Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship Fund or to support the fund, visit:
https://pdnfoundation.org/give-to-a-fund/bill-mattingly-memorial-scholarship-fund