Sacramento, CA – June 26, 2006 – VSP proudly honors Benna Daugherty, O.D., from Harrisburg, IL, with its 2006 national People First Award for her dedicated humanitarian efforts to provide eyecare in her local community and abroad.

Dr. Daugherty received the award on June 23rd at the 109th Annual AOA (American Optometric Association) Congress & 36th Annual AOSA Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dr. Daugherty's significant contributions to the optometric field and community include regular visits to homebound patients and local nursing homes to provide comprehensive eyecare. She also performs eye exams at no cost for infants through the InfantSEE^TM program and the disadvantaged through her affiliation with VISION USA and the local Lions Club.

Working with the Illinois Baptist State Association, Dr. Daugherty travels to Bulgaria to provide desperately needed eyecare and free glasses to impoverished rural residents. During her two-week visits, she and her team examined over 1,200 patients, most of who had never received an exam in their lives.

"Using our skills to help those less fortunate is a wonderful way of sharing our blessings with others," said Dr. Daugherty. "I appreciate VSP's recognition and their encouragement for doctors to seek out opportunities to give back to their communities. Experiencing the joy of helping others see clearly is one of the many rewards of volunteering."

"VSP is delighted to honor Dr. Daugherty and each regional winner for their commitment to putting people first," said Don Price, VSP Vice President of Provider Relations. "This award expresses our gratitude for the outstanding contributions that private practice VSP doctors across the country make to their local communities."

Regional winners of 2006 People First Awards include: Brian Van Dusen, O.D. Yucaipa, CA; Jack Zarybnisky, O.D. Burley, ID; John Andren, O.D., Harrisburg, PA; Leonard Cherdack, O.D., Miami, FL and Bruce Ousley, O.D., Highland Village, TX.

About VSP
VSP provides eyecare benefit plans that range from comprehensive eye examinations and materials to complete medical and surgical eyecare. With more than 45 million members nationwide, one in seven people in the United States relies on VSP for eyecare health coverage. VSP's Sight for Students program has helped more than 340,000 low-income/uninsured children receive free eyecare services since its inception in 1997. VSP, a company with over $2.2 billion in annual gross revenue, has been recognized by Fortune Magazine for the seventh consecutive year as one of best places to work in America. For more information, visit us online at www.vsp.com.

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