Dr. Rich Castillo, founding dean of the College of Optometric Medicine at UNC Pembroke, has been honored with the Heart of America Eye Care Congress’ (HOAECC) 2025 Vision Service Award for his outstanding dedication and service to the field of optometry.

The award recognizes his contributions to advancing optometric education, patient care and the profession. Dr. Castillo’s innovative approach to curriculum development and student mentorship has earned widespread recognition.

Castillo was presented the award in Kansas City, Missouri, at the 64th annual Heart of America Eye Care Congress, held Feb. 7-9. The HOECC provides continuing education, professional networking and the latest advancements in eye care.

“I was very humbled to receive this award,” Dr. Castillo said in a press release. “I’m in the company of some people who have done a lot to move the profession forward, so it was humbling for me to be considered.”

Castillo is the founding president of the American Society of Optometric Surgeons, a Diplomate of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. He is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Optometry.

Castillo joined UNCP in July 2024 as the founding dean of the university’s newly approved College of Optometric Medicine. UNCP is the first and only university in North Carolina to grant this specialized four-year degree.

Castillo is leading UNCP’s efforts toward earning accreditation for the optometry program with the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). He will also guide the college’s efforts to establish a community clinic, ensuring students have access to hands-on patient experience under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty.

UNCP received approval in May 2024 from the UNC System Board of Governors to establish an optometry program. Castillo was appointed in July after serving as senior director of clinical examination development and administration with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Before that, he served three decades at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry as a clinical professor, assistant dean and chief of surgical services.

With Dr. Castillo’s leadership and the program’s commitment to academic quality, the future of optometry at UNCP is bright.

“We are hitting all the milestones,” Castillo said in a press release. “Regarding accreditation, we are at stage 2 eligibility, which means we are preparing to submit a self-study that we’ve been putting together for the past few months. Once that is submitted, a committee of doctors from the ACOE will visit campus and review the self-study. Once we receive pre-accreditation status, we can begin recruiting students.”

 UNCP plans to welcome its first optometry class in the fall of 2027. The program will be housed in a new $91 million health sciences building, which is set to break ground later this year.