The Patricia Aiken-O’Neill (PAO) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship to provide funds for an eye bank staff member to attend the EBAA Annual Meeting. EBAA will provide airfare, meeting registration and lodging (up to $2,000) to the recipient. This scholarship honors Patricia Aiken-O’Neill, who served as EBAA President and CEO from 1990-2011.
Scholarship Includes
EBAA will cover the following expenses of the recipient to attend the Annual Meeting (up to $2000).
- Annual Meeting Registration (including Social Event)
- Airfare
- Lodging
Nomination Criteria
- Nominees must be employed at least part-time at an EBAA member eye bank.
- Nominations must be made by the eye bank’s Executive Director
- Only one nomination per eye bank may be submitted
- Submit a complete nomination, including a personal statement from the nominee
Deadline to submit nomination: March 8
Patricia Aiken-O’Neill Scholarship
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Previous Patricia Aiken-O’Neill Awardee
Jared Pappas
Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs Manager
The Eye Bank of Kentucky
“I want to thank the selection committee in choosing me to receive the Patricia Aiken-O’Neill Scholarship. Attending the EBAA Annual Meeting in Dallas was an opportunity I was determined to make the most of. From the Leadership Workshop early on Wednesday morning to the Medical Directors Symposium on Saturday afternoon, I was broadening my eye bank network and filling gaps in my knowledge and experience. The Annual Meeting was the perfect opportunity for me to immerse myself in the global eye banking community. Not only did I meet, in person, my QA peers whilst attending QA workshops but had the opportunity to meet other new attendees from eye banking departments outside my discipline.
Furthermore, the Accreditation Board Meeting and Medical Advisory Board Meeting offered insight into the processes involved in the continued maintenance of accreditation status and the EBAA medical standards. This deeper understanding will prove to be invaluable in maintaining our bank’s compliance and the furtherance of my eye bank QA career as a whole. Lastly, the General Sessions and Scientific Symposium overwhelmed us with a sense of pride in what we have achieved, how far we have come and the future that awaits us. A future that is full of hope, equality and discovery. The EBAA Annual meeting stands alone as a reminder of our mission and why and who we serve. It promotes inclusiveness, openness and support throughout our industry, so that we can all feel part of something greater than ourselves. I left Dallas with a renewed sense of service and empowerment. A feeling that together we can fulfill our commitment to the restoration of sight worldwide. A goal that individually may seem impossible; but collectively, attainable. The EBAA Annual meeting brings us together and together we can achieve anything.”