‘Alin Torosian awarded 2024 Scholarship in Memory of Hisaka’

VSP Ventures, in partnership with Brookside Optometry, is pleased to announce Alin Torosian as the recipient of the ,500 Dr. Craig Hisaka Memorial scholarship. Torosian, a student in the class of 2026, was selected from participants in UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science’s Business Management Immersion Program (BMIP) for her outstanding essay detailing her experience and insights from the program.

Expressing gratitude for the scholarship, Torosian stated, “I am honored to have been chosen for the Dr. Craig Hisaka Memorial Scholarship. This program has not only provided me with valuable mentorship but also financial support as I pursue my goal of becoming an optometrist.”

This scholarship, sponsored by VSP Vision, is awarded to students participating in the BMIP, which gives second and third year optometry students the opportunity to shadow practice owners for 2-3 days in network practices that are part of VSP Premier Edge. The aim of the program is to educate students on the business aspects of owning a private practice.

President of VSP Ventures, Kathleen Steele, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting private practice optometry. “We are proud to sponsor the Dr. Craig Hisaka Memorial Scholarship and we congratulate Alin Torosian for being selected as this year’s recipient following her participation in the Business Management Immersion Program,” Steele said.

Brookside Optometry, the initial practice to join the BMIP, was founded by Dr. Craig Hisaka in 1998. Dr. Hisaka, a dedicated advocate for private practice and former adjunct professor at UC Berkeley School of Optometry, passed away in 2019. His legacy is honored through this scholarship.

Over the past decade, VSP Vision has awarded more than .5 million in scholarships to optometry students. To find out more about scholarship opportunities, visit the VSP Provider Hub website.