November 2023 Newsletter

2023 is almost gone and this month President Santiago discusses the power of alliances to leverage our impact, we welcome a new school chapter in Vietnam, invite you to a COPE course on Eye care for Asian patients, share a reflection by our Executive Director on World Children’s Day and an interesting resource produced by WCO Public Health committee to mark this day. We also share requests from our chapters, congratulate ALDOO on the launch of their online course, and say thanks to some of our great volunteers who make this work happen.

President's Insights

VOSHERS invest considerable effort and resources towards providing eye care, education, and support to our chapters. However, our resources are not limitless, and we often require additional financial support to accomplish all of our goals. Read the whole article here.

La versión en español aquí.

News from our chapters

Welcome to our first SVOSH chapter in Vietnam

We are delighted to welcome the School of Optometry at Hanoi Medical University, Vietnam as our 106 chapter. Optometry in Vietnam is developing rapidly, and we look forward to learning from and supporting our colleagues in this part of the world.

They are busy organizing a myopia conference in December. Good luck and welcome to VOSH!

AMIGOS SVOSH-PUCO fall newsletter

How do they do it? This super-active SVOSH chapter shares its Fall Newsletter with important news on their work. Congratulations.

Read the whole newsletter here.

Volunteers needed

VOSH-Southeast goes to Zambia

This humanitarian clinic is scheduled between February 17^th to 24^th, 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia. Volunteers will be hosted in the facilities of Family Legacy. VOSH-SE needs 6 optometrists and opticians. After the clinic, interested volunteers can visit this beautiful African country including Victoria Falls and national parks.

If interested, please contact:

Glenn Lashley at gmlashley99@gmail.com

Mobile: (386) 846-6293

VOSH-Santa Cruz seeks volunteers for Ecuador, Peru and Mexico

In 2024 VOSH-Santa Cruz is planning clinics in Cuenca, Ecuador (May 24-June 5/11), Lima, Peru (August 2nd-11/16) and Mexico in mid-November. If interested in volunteering, please contact:

Father Pierre Labine at pierre.labine@sympatico.ca or visit

www.voshohv.org

Thank you to our volunteers

Tour de Tucson fundraiser

On Saturday, November 18th, Dan Twelker, OD PhD, and former President of VOSH/International, completed the Tour de Tucson bicycle ride raising $1,130 from 19 kind supporters. VOSH/International uses the donated funds to support teaching clinics and international SVOSH chapters. Funds raised by Dr Twelker last year contributed to implementing the second teaching clinic in Cap Haitien for the graduating class of the Haiti School of Optometry in Port au Prince, Haiti. VOSH/International continues to work towards supporting the Haitian SVOSH-UEH-EO chapter.

Book the date

Eye care in Asian patients in the US and China - COPE 87562-PB

Join us for another fascinating COPE course to get an overview of common ocular conditions seen in the US and in China including important cultural considerations when providing care to Asian patients. Gain a deeper understanding of myopia control in China.

You can download the flyer here

A reflexion on children's vision and peace

Our Executive Director shares this article with her personal views on children’s vision and peace to mark World Children's Day.

You can read the whole article here

News from our partners

ALDOO launches course ESAL

ESAL stands for Education, Public Health, Advocacy, and Leadership in Spanish. It is an initiative of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO) to support the development of optometry through a tailored training package designed for and by Latin Americans. The launch was on November 11^th. VOSH and SVOSH chapters of this region can participate in the course for free. You can watch the launch by clicking the image.

El lanzamiento del curso ESAL de ALDOO fue el pasado 11 de noviembre. ESAL es un curso diseñado por y para Latinoamérica. Los capítulos VOSH y SVOSH de la región puede participar del curso de manera gratuita. Vea el lanzamiento haciendo click en la imagen.

WCO launches Pediatric Resource

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) launched its Pediatric Resource, a clinical resource for optometrists in celebration of World Children’s Day.

Read the news release here and access the resource here.

VOSH Humanitarian of the Year featured in Angels in Medicine

Angels in Medicine is a website that features the incredible work people in healthcare do to improve the health of the world, especially those with little access to quality healthcare. VOSH Humanitarian of the Year Award has been featured in it. Check it out here and other inspiring stories too.

IAPB global event goes to Mexico

Between 25 to 27 June 2024 IAPB's 2030 In Sight Live will take place in Mexico City. More information here. You can read IAPB regional news here.

La reunion global de IAPB se llevara a cabo entre el 25 al 27 de junio del 2024 en la ciudad de Mexico, Mexico. Mas información aquí. Noticias de las regiones de IAPB se encuentran aquí.

We depend on generous donations to implement our work. Please keep us in mind at this time of the year. Thanks in advance. More information contact vosh@vosh.org

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