156th Wing optometrist bridges healthcare gaps, earns national award
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alex Garcia, an optometrist assigned to the 156th Medical Group, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, was named the Reserve/Guard Optometrist of the Year by the Armed Forces Optometric Society during the 2026 AFOS Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept. 15–20, 2026.
The national award recognizes an Armed Forces optometrist serving in the National Guard or Reserve component, spanning the Army, Navy, or Air Force, who demonstrated outstanding service and made significant contributions to advancing the optometry profession in both military and civilian healthcare settings.
“This honor reflects the dedication of the teams I serve alongside and the trust our patients place in us,” said Garcia. “ As a Guard optometrist, I’m proud to support our Airmen wherever the need exists.”
Garcia received the honor following exceptional service across multiple extended temporary duty assignments over the past 13 months, filling critical provider shortages.
He completed six months of temporary duty assignments across three separate two-month rotations, to support Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, an installation that serves approximately 11,000 active-duty members and military dependents to provide essential optometric care.
“Clear vision is essential to mission readiness,” said Garcia. “Being able to provide support meant helping Airmen get the care they needed to perform their duties safely and remain ready for their assignments.”
Additionally, Garcia completed a two-month TDY at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. During this rotation, he provided optometric care to nearly 600 service members completing permanent change of station requirements, alleviating provider shortages and ensuring warfighters remained medically ready for follow-on worldwide assignments.
Beyond military service, Garcia supervises the Optometry Clinic at the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System in Puerto Rico.
In this role, he became the first optometrist at the VA Hospital in Puerto Rico to achieve full, unrestricted clinical privileges, including prescriptive authority, establishing a historic milestone that paved the way for fellow VA optometrists across the island to pursue equivalent clinical credentials.
“Expanding clinical privileges creates more opportunities for optometrists to serve our veterans,” said Garcia. “I’m proud to help open that path for colleagues across Puerto Rico and provide care for those who have served.”
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