Two fourth-year students at the University of Houston College of Optometry — Madeline Fossitt and Uyen Ha — have received the VSP and American Academy of Optometry Foundation Practice Excellence Scholarship. The national award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, excellence in patient care, and dedication to the profession.

Fossitt said the recognition motivates her to continue raising the bar.
“Receiving the VSP and AAOF Scholarship is an incredible honor that validates the dedication I’ve put into my coursework, patient care, and research at UHCO,” she said. “It reminds me why I chose optometry and inspires me to continue moving forward in my journey as an optometrist.”

She added that her clinical training at UHCO has shaped her perspective on what quality patient care should look like. Fossitt plans to enter private practice, where she hopes to provide patients with the time and attention they deserve.

For Ha, the scholarship affirms the values that guide her path in optometry.
“It is validation that others see value in my goals and are willing to support my pursuit of them. Knowing that my vision resonates with others encourages me to keep moving forward,” she said.

Ha’s externship at Hope Clinic, a community health center serving Houston’s immigrant population, was especially influential. Many patients faced language barriers, and as an immigrant herself, Ha said the experience underscored the importance of culturally competent care.

Looking ahead, she hopes to open a clinic in Houston dedicated to serving non-English-speaking patients, particularly in the Vietnamese community, ensuring that quality eye care is both accessible and respectful.