About the Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award
The Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award recognizes significant efforts by an individual or group of individuals to improve public health approaches for children’s vision and eye health at the state or national level. The award was established in 2014 by the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health Advisory Committee to commemorate Dr. Bonnie Strickland and her groundbreaking work to establish a comprehensive system for children’s vision in the United States. Strickland served as Director of the Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs, Maternal and Child Health Bureau before her retirement in 2014.
The award consists of a commemorative plaque, recognition, and a 30-minute presentation at the October 29 event. The award recipient will be featured on the NCCVEH website with an overview of their innovative approaches to children’s vision and eye health systems. An all-volunteer committee for the Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award will review nominations and select the award winner.
“Eye Thrive,” has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award, specifically for its “Wraparound Vision Services” program.
Eye Thrive’s mission is to give children, specifically low-income kids throughout the St. Louis, Mo. metropolitan region, the ability to thrive through access to essential vision care. It accomplishes this by providing the following vision services:
- Free on-site vision screenings performed by NCCVEH-certified staff.
- Access to services through Eye Thrive’s two Mobile Vision Clinics, fully equipped optometry centers providing comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses made on-site and dispensed the same day to children. Duplicate pairs are provided for children with high prescriptions or developmental needs.
- A medical referral program that provides referrals to quality Medicaid-qualified and/or low-cost specialists for children in need of additional follow-up care.
- An eyeglass replacement program that provides free, no-questions-asked replacement glasses delivered to the child’s home or school.
- An Electronic Medical Records system to track patient care and medical information from year to year, allowing for continuity of care.
A child receiving glasses through the Eye Thrive Wraparound Vision Services Program
Eye Thrive has built partnerships with over 100 high-need schools and community centers throughout the St. Louis metro region. Before the launch of their second Mobile Vision Clinic in June 2025, Eye Thrive served 17,747 children in low-income communities during the 2024-2025 school year, providing free screenings, nearly 4,800 comprehensive eye exams, just under 6,000 pairs of prescription glasses, and 168 medical referrals.
