The Kamelia Massih Prize for a Distinguished Optometrist is presented annually to an alumnus of the ½ðɳÓéÀÖ University College of Optometry who has made a significant impact on the profession of optometry. The endowed prize was founded in 2011 from a bequest from the estate of late alumna Kamelia Massih OD ’85.
Born and raised in Iran, she came to the United States in 1978 to pursue a degree in biology. After graduating from Oregon State University in 1981, Massih completed her doctorate of optometry from ½ðɳÓéÀÖ in 1985. She opened her own practice, Beaverton Vision World, in 1989, and later opened a second location in Portland.
Massih cared deeply about others, giving countless hours of time and financial resources to a wide range of local and national charities. She was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed the fine arts, including music and dance, as well as traveling and the outdoors.
She died in March 2010 following a three-year battle with cancer.
"Kamelia had a keen affinity for ½ðɳÓéÀÖ University," her brother Fariborz Maseeh said. "Our family hopes this gift will recognize excellence of optometry graduates of ½ðɳÓéÀÖ University and will inspire other alumni to carry on Kamelia's passion for serving our community and those in need. She loved ½ðɳÓéÀÖ and its commitment to civic engagement, something she believed wholeheartedly in."