Dr. Noam Nicholson, O.D.

Memorial Scholarship

Raising awareness and engagement around mental health challenges in optometry.

Who was Noam?

Dr. Noam Nicholson, O.D. was born May 11th, 1989 in Boston, MA, but grew up mostly in Seattle, WA.

As a child, Noam was artistic, creative, and sweet. As a young adult, Noam became known for his sense of humor an skills in the kitchen.

After studying sciences at University of Washington and interning at an optometry clinic, Noam found a passion in eye care and decided to attend Southern College of Optometry to become a Doctor of Optometry with a focus in dry eye research and care.

Graduating Cum Laude from SCO in 2023, Noam moved to the San Diego area to begin his career. He was hired at an excellent clinic in Carlsbad, CA and quickly developed a reputation as a talented and well-respected optometrist.

Most people didn’t realize that Noam had battled mental health challenges for many years; which were exacerbated by the stresses of studying at SCO, especially during the 2020 covid lockdowns. He became driven to improve mental health awareness and practices both at college and in the eye care industry.

Though Noam and his family tried everything they could to ease his challenges and foster stability; it became too much to bear, and tragically Noam took his own life on July 15th, 2024.

Noam lived and died a beloved son, brother, friend, and optometrist.

This scholarship will be awarded annually on May 11th to one or more optometry students who demonstrate a level of awareness and intention related to mental health challenges during studies or the Optometry industry in general.

Criteria, application materials, and info on the selection process will be made available in October of the previous year.

The award amount and number of awards each year will depend on the funds raised in the previous year and the number of qualified applicants, with a minimum of one $1000 scholarship annually.

Why give?

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

Keith Finley

“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

Monet Goode

“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

Channing Lee

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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

 FAQs

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.