Named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans for 2015, University of Nebraska Medical Center ophthalmologist, Mike Feilmeier, M.D., joins the ranks of Olympic athletes, presidents and professional entertainers.
“To be included in this year’s group of recipients is an incredible honor. I am merely one of many individuals who have dedicated their life to the pursuit of seeing that no one lives needlessly in darkness,” Dr. Feilmeier said. “It has been the singularly most rewarding aspect of my professional career, and I look forward to dedicating the rest of my life to helping bring individuals out of the darkness and back into the light.”
Dr. Feilmeier is medical director of the Prevention of Global Blindness Division at the Truhlsen Eye Institute at UNMC and a physician with Midwest Eye Care. He is one of just a few ophthalmologists in the country to complete a fellowship in global blindness prevention.
Since joining UNMC in 2010, Dr. Feilmeier has led eight trips to Haiti, Ethiopia and Nepal and performed more than 1,400 sight restoring surgeries.
“Each year, the United States Junior Chamber recognizes individuals who exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people. Dr. Feilmeier’s tireless mission to cure blindness, his commitment to provide the gift of sight to those less fortunate, and his dedication to teaching others so they may help in the cause, is the reason we are proud to honor him,” said Laura Chesney-Gadd, director of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans program.
For more than 75 years, the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) has recognized 10 young men and women – aged 18-40 – who best exemplify the highest attributes of the nation’s emerging generation.
The 2015 Ten Outstanding Young Americans will be honored at the 77th annual black-tie awards ceremony to be held March 28, in Nashville, Tenn.
“These 10 individuals being honored are truly accomplished in their fields, in giving back to their communities, and in promoting that service to humanity is the best work of life,” said Jennifer Ray, 95th president of the U.S. Jaycees.
“These 10 individuals represent the best of the best and are individuals we should strive to emulate in our everyday actions. They remind all Americans that no problem is too difficult when handled with grace, ingenuity, courage, and determination," Ray said.
The United States Jaycees Class of 2015 Ten Outstanding Young Americans Honorees include:
Catherine Draeger, 36, Founder, Shielded Hearts
Milwaukee, Wis.
Dallas Eaton, 26, CoFounder/CEO, United Luv
Billings, Mont.
Michael Feilmeier, M.D., 36, Ophthalmologist
Omaha, Neb.
Missy Franklin, 19, US Olympic Athlete
Centennial, Colo.
Ronda Zelezny-Green, 31, Ph.D. Student, Mobile Learning Expert
London
Major Tucker Hamilton, 35, Experimental Fighter Test Pilot, United States Air Force
Arlington, Va.
Chad Houser, 39, Executive Director/Executive Chef, Café Momentum
Dallas, Texas
Bivian “Sonny” Lee, III, 33, Founder/President, Son of Saint Foundation
New Orleans, La.
Brad McKee, 29, CoFounder/President, Disposable Heroes Project
Hammond, La.
Special Agent Emmanuel Merhan, 37, Federal Law Enforcement Officer/Special Investigator, United States Air Force
Germany
To learn more about the 2015 Ten Outstanding Young American honorees, the program, or the 77th Annual Banquet and Ceremony event, please visit www.usjaycees.org/toya.
About Ten Outstanding Young Americans Program
The Ten Outstanding Young Americans program (TOYA) is one of the oldest and most prestigious recognition programs in America. Annually since 1938, The United States Jaycees has sought out the 10 young men and women (under the age of 40) who best exemplify the finest attributes of America’s youthful achievers. Previous honorees include Bill Clinton (1979), John F. Kennedy (1946), Dick Cheney (1976), Kurt Warner (2010), Wayne Newton (1977), Gale Sayers (1969), Elvis Presley (1970), Michele Tafoya (2001), and Ruth Riley (2014).
About the Jaycees
Leadership development through community involvement has been the basis of the Jaycees since its inception in 1920. The goal of the not-for-profit organization is to provide members a means to reach their full potential through networking and personal growth opportunities, and is ideal for proactive young people ages 18 to 40. Members enhance a variety of leadership, management and communication skills as they work together to plan and run civic and individual development activities that affect positive change in their home communities and throughout the world.
To learn more about the Jaycees visit www.usjaycees.org.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu and follow us on social media.
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