ASIAN AMERICAN
OPTOMETRIC SOCIETY
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Charter Members of the Asian American Optometric Society
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Formerly the Japanese American Optometric Society (JAOS) - Started in 1972 with 35 Charter Members with a vision to promote and maintain a social, cultural, scientific and educational interchange of information and experiences between the members.
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Ronald Akashi, M.D.
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George Dotemoto
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Ron Hayashida
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Henry Hashioka
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Ken Imoto
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Rodger Kame
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Dennis Kawabe
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George Kobayashi
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​John Koyama
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Ryan Koyama
- Sanford Koyama
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John Kuroda
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Ben Marumoto
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Paul Morita
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Ken Murata
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Dennis Nakatani
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Mike Nakamatsu
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Jack Niizawa
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Roy Nishikaw
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Dennis Noda
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Ray Saruwatari
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Tak Shimazaki
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Ken Shiomi
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Takao Shishino
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Paul Sumida
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Masao Takeshita
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Saburo Takeshita
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Gary Tanaka
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Sumio Taniguchi
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Hideo Uba
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David Wakabayashi
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Ken Yamaguchi
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Harvey Yamamoto
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Mas Yasuda
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Sam Otsuji
AAOS Past Presidents
Asian American Optometric Society Presidents
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1970s
1972 Takao Shishino
1973 Takao Shishino
1974 Tak Shimazaki
1975 Tak Shimazaki
1976 David Wakabayashi
1976 Roy Takemura
1977 Roy Takemura
1978 Luke Abo
1979 Luke Abo
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2010s
2010 Aaron Sako
2011 Stacey Gin
2012 Kristal Kawamoto
2013 Shawn Yamamoto
2014 Jeffrey Nishi
2015 Kenny Fukuda
2016 Jason Lam
2017 Andy Kongsakul
2018 Ray Maeda
2019 Jeff Chen
1980s
1980 Steve Kurata
1981 Steve Kurata
1982 Sanford Koyama
1983 Sanford Koyama
1984 Thomas Yamaguchi
1985 Thomas Yamaguchi
1986 Randall Yumori
1987 Randall Yumori
1988 John Hayashida
1989 Lynn Kurata
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1990s
1990 Kendric Kajikawa
1991 Seiju Terada
1992 Seiju Terada
1993 Donald Matsumoto
1994 John Nishimoto
1995 John Nishimoto
1996 Christine Terada
1997 Lynn Matsuda
1998 Trang Nguyen
1999 Trang Nguyen
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2000s
2000 Audra Yoshimura
2001 Audra Yoshimura
2002 Judy Tong
2003 Judy Tong
2004 Greg Kame
2005 Steve Bae
2006 Cindy Siu
2007 Mark Sawamura
2008 Daniel Tang
2009 Long Tran
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2020s
2020 Jacqueline Vu
2021 Irene Flores
2022 Christina Arakaki
2023 Bryan Kimura
2024 Linda Shi
Legends
“On the shoulders of giants…” Isaac Newton
The Asian American Optometric Society has grown beyond the imagination of the founders of the society. The AAOS is now a significant organization among the many organizations in Optometry. At this point in the history of the AAOS, one begins to realize that huge changes have occurred in the organization as well as in the profession of Optometry. These changes have caused the society to grow and remain relevant and important to its members.
The growth of the society is directly attributable to the leadership and foresight of its members. As an official “old guy” member of the AAOS, I propose that the society develop the equivalent of the baseball “Hall of Fame” so that the contributions of the membership to the society and to Optometry in general are not forgotten. It is “on the shoulders of giants” that the Asian American Optometry Society and Optometry has grown to what it is today.
Purpose
To honor and memorialize the accomplishments, by members of the AAOS, that raises the level of the society and/or the profession of Optometry.
Who can be honored?
Members of the AAOS (or previously known as the JAOS) or non-members that have benefitted the AAOS.
What should an honoree do to win the award?
The development of a significant idea, the development of a program, a contribution to the development of either the society or the profession, should qualify.
Who would choose the honoree?
A two-person “Legends” committee composed of an “old guy” who can remember an accomplishment from the past and a member of the Board (Board member or Trustee) would comprise the committee. The committee would make the proposal to the Board for final approval
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AAOS LEGENDS,
Please send an email to Don Matsumoto, O.D. at cdmatsumoto@hotmail.com