UMSL Student Earns Prestigious Optometry Scholarship
Third-year student Annie Kikhamsouk receives the J. Pat Cummings Scholarship for her academic and clinical work.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Scholarships
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Annie Kikhamsouk, a third-year optometry student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, has been awarded the J. Pat Cummings Scholarship sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision. Additionally, she and classmate Hiba Zaidi were selected as 2026-27 Johnson & Johnson ACUVUE Student Interns.
Why it matters
The scholarship recognizes students who excel in both clinical involvement and academic pursuits while contributing to the optometry field. Through these internships, recipients gain hands-on training with advanced lens fitting technologies at corporate manufacturing facilities.
The J. Pat Cummings Scholarship is awarded annually to second- or third-year students based on academic performance and patient involvement. As part of her internship, Kikhamsouk maintains experience in clinical settings, including seeing 4 or 5 patients on a busy day.
The players
Annie Kikhamsouk
She is a third-year optometry student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis who serves as treasurer for two student organizations.
Hiba Zaidi
She is an optometry student selected alongside Kikhamsouk for the 2026-27 Johnson & Johnson ACUVUE Student Internship.
University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry
This educational institution in St. Louis provides clinical training and academic programs for future optometrists.
Johnson & Johnson Vision
This global healthcare company sponsors the J. Pat Cummings Scholarship and maintains manufacturing facilities in Florida.
The details
Kikhamsouk was selected by faculty at the UMSL College of Optometry for her extracurricular leadership and commitment to patient care. Along with Zaidi, she attended a specialized weekend training program at the Johnson & Johnson Vision manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
Timeline
Late September 2026: Kikhamsouk and Zaidi visited the Johnson & Johnson Vision facility.
2026-27: Kikhamsouk and Zaidi serve as J&J ACUVUE student interns.
2027: Kikhamsouk expects to perform fourth-year externships.
Culture Shift
The student's involvement in the American Optometric Student Association highlights the broader professional networking and leadership development encouraged for optometry students during their clinical training. These industry-integrated programs represent a growing trend of bridging academic study with corporate-led practical experience.
As Kikhamsouk prepares for her fourth-year externships, she plans to provide humanitarian eye care through international trips. This dedication to service reflects the clinical rigor and community outreach focus maintained by students within the local UMSL program.
The takeaway
Students looking to advance their careers should prioritize a balance of academic achievement and extracurricular leadership to qualify for industry-sponsored awards. Developing relationships with professional organizations early can provide students with early access to corporate internship opportunities.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational opportunities in the Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by STLtoday.
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