September 2021
Dear NEHEP Partners,

September is both Healthy Aging Month and Hispanic Heritage Month — the perfect opportunity to champion intersectional thinking. In that spirit, we’re using this month’s newsletter to highlight resources about healthy aging and resources for Hispanic/Latino people.

As we celebrate our older adults and Hispanic/Latino communities, we also want to thank you, our partners. We wouldn’t have been able to have a successful NEHEP Partnership Summit without your valuable input and participation.

Finally, we want to congratulate a long-time NEHEP Planning Group member, Dr. James Tsai, on being named President of the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO)! IJCAHPO will benefit greatly from Dr. Tsai’s leadership as he creates a strategic vision to promote awareness of the allied ophthalmic professions.

Best,
Devina Kuo Fan, MPH
Director, National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP)
National Eye Institute
Promote mentorship with the Diversity In Vision Research & Ophthalmology (DIVRO) Summer Internship Program
NEI seeks interns for its DIVRO summer program — specifically for science students from traditionally underrepresented groups who are seeking research opportunities at the NIH. DIVRO provides hands-on research training and mentoring to prepare interns for careers in ophthalmology and vision science. For more information, contact Dr. Cesar Perez-Gonzalez (cesarp@nei.nih.gov) or visit the website.
Support a nationwide effort to prevent falls
People with vision loss are at a higher risk for falls. Falls Prevention Awareness Week is from September 20 to 24, and the National Council on Aging aims to raise awareness that falls are preventable! Use this toolkit — available in English and Spanish — to promote falls prevention on social media, in the press, and with policy makers.
Meet the needs of people with vision loss in healthcare settings
The American Foundation for the Blind created new resources for healthcare workers who may have contact with people with vision loss. These resources — including videos, handouts, and pre and post-tests — are free and a great introduction to disability inclusion.
Increase awareness of potentially blinding retinal conditions
Millions of people in the United States have a high risk for retinal conditions and may not realize it. In response, the American Society of Retina Specialists launched the “See for a Lifetime. See a Retina Specialist.” educational initiative. It features resources and tools for increasing patients’ awareness of treatable retinal diseases.
Calendar of Events
Boost your ophthalmic knowledge at IJCAHPO’s Annual Continuing Education (ACE) Program
From November 12 to 14, IJCAHPO is holding their ACE Program in New Orleans and virtually for all Allied Ophthalmic Personnel. The 3-day event features a collection of innovative lectures, sessions, demonstrations, and networking opportunities. IJCAHPO is also offering on-site certification exam prep courses this year.
Other Resources
Resource: Hadley's new workshop series offers practical tips and emotional support for anyone navigating changing vision.
Resource: IJCAHPO promotes Manual Teórico-Práctico en Oftalmología, a practical guide to opthalmic assisting, written in Spanish.
Resource: The CDC’s Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Healthy Eyes is a resource — available in English and Spanish — that provides vital information to help people with diabetes reduce their risk of eye health complications.
Resource: The National Alliance for Hispanic Health’s About Our Health resource provides key findings from a community health study of Hispanic/Latino people.
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