Awards

Bicentennial Medal - 2020

School of Optometry Foley House Basement Key Award - 1995

About Steven Hitzeman

Dr. Steven Hitzeman graduated IU with a B.A. in Biological Sciences in 1972 and an O.D. in 1976.

In 1995, he was presented with the Indiana University School of Optometry Foley House Basement Key Award which recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and/or service to the IU School of Optometry.

He is an associate clinical professor and has been on the faculty of the Indiana University School of Optometry for over three decades. Presently, he is director of the Sports Vision Program at the School of Optometry. He served as director of clinics, director of residencies, and director of external rotations for 15 years before resigning those roles in 2009.

He is past-chair of the American Optometric Association's Sports Vision section and chair of Screening Services for the AOA Sports Vision section. He is chair of the AAU Junior Olympics Screening Program that he spearheaded and served on the vision screening teams for the 1991, 1995, and 1999 International Special Olympic games and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Hitzeman is former president of the Indiana Optometric Association, being elected to that position in 2007.

In addition to his other responsibilities at the School of Optometry, he teaches sports vision in the optometry program, provides clinical instruction regularly in the school's clinics, and conducts screenings of athletes for all sports in the Indiana University Athletic Department.

In 2000, the Indiana Optometric Association recognized him as Optometrist of the Year in Indiana. He was awarded this honor for outstanding service to the IOA, the AOA, and the profession in the areas of teaching, community service, and volunteerism. In past years, he taught continuing education courses for the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry, the National Athletic Trainers Association, the American Academy of Sports Medicine, the Indiana Optometric Association, and other state association meetings. He served as the keynote lecturer at the International Conference of Athletic Training and Health at the National College of Physical Education and Sports, Taipei, Taiwan.

In 2005, Hitzeman was awarded the American Optometric Association's Sports Vision section Sports Vision Optometrist of the Year at the AOA Congress.

In 2020, Steve Hitzeman was presented the Bicentennial Medal for his distinguished service to Indiana University.