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April 2022 Newsletter

This month, President Ciszek discusses the changes and impact brought by the pandemic, we celebrate VOSH/International being awarded the 2022 Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award for excellence in vision and public hea, share information on a clinic for Afghan refugees and honour the memory of Dr Otten from VOSH-NW and Dr Erickson, welcome a new SVOSH chapter from Colombia and much more..

President's Insights

During one of what feels like millions of hours of continuing education hours I have taken in my 29 years of practice, I learned a valuable habit from a practice management consultant. He advised us to... Read the whole article here

VOSH/International receives the 2022 Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award

We are delighted to share the news that VOSH/International is the recipient of the 2022 Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award for excellence in vision and public health. The award recognises significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national and/or international level. This is a great recognition of the commitment of thousands of VOSH volunteers providing vision to those who need it over the years. Our President will receive the award on behalf of VOSH/International at the upcoming Focus on Eye Health National Summit to be held online on July 13-14.Save the date and join us in the celebrations. Read the press release here

A new SVOSH chapter in Colombia

We are delighted to welcome the Optometry program at the Universidad del Sinu Cartagena Section in Colombia as our new SVOSH chapter affiliated to VOSH/International. We look forward to working with you. Bienvenidos!! More information about the school here.

Helping Afghan refugees

How to support refugees start a new life? This is not an easy task but ensuring they can enjoy good vision is an important part of this. VOSH-NW partnered with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Seattle to organise a vision clinic supporting 28 Afghan refugees under the leadership of Dr Larry Otten. He left a legacy of care and compassion. Read the report here

"There is always satisfaction and joy when you can really help someone. Sharing our expertise with people in need, just reinforces an intended purpose of one’s life". Dr Larry Otten.

In memory of Dr Larry Otten, Vice-president of VOSH-NW

Dr Otten sadly left us on April 7th soon after leading the vision clinic for Afghan refugees. Even for those who met him only once, Dr Otten made a lasting impression. "One interaction showed me his compassion, his heart, and his passion for serving the vulnerable. I cannot begin to imagine how many lives he had touched during his lived life. He was a rare soul". Gul Siddiqi- IRC Development Manager.

VOSH/International is honoured to have counted him as a committed and giving VOSH volunteer.

In memory of Dr Todd L. Erickson

VOSH/International wishes to express its sincere condolences to our friend and colleague Dr Melissa Barnett and family on the sudden passing of her husband Dr Todd L Erickson on April 21^st, 2022.

We are grateful for the support Melissa and Todd shown to our work.

Publications from our Latin American chapters

The Community Outreach Program (PACCO) and its impact

A couple of nice articles from our SVOSH-FES-Iztacala chapter. The first one on their Community outreach Program (PACCO) that in 5 years has reached over 45,000 Mexicans in need. Read the whole article here.

Dry Eye among students of the

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico

The second article focuses on the diagnosis of dry eye among the students of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico. The study involved 1311 students of six different careers at the university. More women than men patients had dry eye and 20 cases of demodecosis. Read the whole article here

Miopia: la otra epidemia mundial

Dr Emiliano Teran Bobadillas, faculty adviser of SVOSH-UAS, Mexico discusses the implications and actions taken to address this increasing challenge. He highlights the importance of collaboration between ALDOO (Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics), VOSH/International and others. Read the article on page 66 here

2022 Midyear Meeting

This year we will meet in person in Chicago alongside the AOA’s Optometry’s Meeting. The Board of Directors will take stock of progress made and review priorities. If you are in Chicago please join us on Saturday June 18^th between 8:30 am-3:00 pm at the ICO.

It will be possible to join online via Zoom. This meeting is meant principally for VOSH and SVOSH leaders. If you are interested in attending please send an email to [email protected]

The Education COPE accredited event will take place at the end of June via Zoom

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