International Eye Foundation

Universal Health Coverage is a global goal for everyone - developing nations, and wealth nations (USA)! We would do well to share our strategies and experiences on key drivers to improve UHC. Please share your thoughts on strengthening systems, financing reforms, scale and sustainability, training and retaining personnel, expanding infrastructure, supply chain, using new technology, directly engaging beneficiaries, innovative collaboration and partnerships, and generating evidence on what works. These strategies must come together to improve health, specifically eye care.

IEF Announces Partnership with FreeWill: Introducing “Smart Giving”. The International Eye Foundation is entering a promising new chapter! https://lnkd.in/dYGjT4PQ

On World Sight Day, observed globally on October 12, 2023, IEF partners in India screened for diabetic retinopathy in Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, and West Bengal. The screenings were conducted at the technology-enabled vision centers using AI-based fundus camera supported by IEF. The partners who participated in this initiative were - Bansara Eye Care Centre, Shillong; Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi; Susrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre, West Bengal; Udhampur Rotary Eye and General Welfare Foundation, Udhampur; and Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital - India, West Bengal. They screened more than 100 patients in rural India where the vision centers are located. Out of the total screened, nearly 15 were referred to the base hospital for further examination and treatment.

Today we acknowledge Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital in Darayaganj, Delhi. Pictured is one of the Remedio AI Fundus Imaging Cameras provided with IEF support being used for vision screenings on World Sight Day earlier this month.

Today we’re shining a spotlight on our President and CEO, John Barrows! John has been in his current position at IEF since 2020 where he oversees the organization’s strategic development, fundraising, & operations, working closely with various blindness prevention programs. He has been working in international development experience in blindness prevention programming worldwide for over 33 years. He has always strongly advocated for changing how eye health programs build capacity to strengthen leadership, management, and sustainability. Beyond his work with IEF he is the Senior Technical Advisor the the US agency for International Development’s Child Blindness Program and is active in the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) working groups. Thank you John!

Today we’re shining a spotlight on another one of our board members, Billy Parker! Billy began his career in politics, developing a passion for disability employment while serving under the George W. Bush administration as Chief of Staff at the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy. He later shifted to a career in Disability Employment at the National Industries for the Blind and recently launched his own LLC to help businesses and organizations interested in employing disabled individuals. For over 14 years, Billy has worked in the blindness community, advocating for and assisting blind individuals to become successful through meaningful employment. He is passionate about helping others overcome adversity and brings his knowledge and experiences to the IEF board to help the organization reach even more people in need. Billy is originally from a small town in North Carolina where he developed a love for BBQ and Basketball, among other sports. He coaches his son’s basketball team and shares his love of 90s music with his daughter. Thank you Billy Parker! We are excited to start this journey together! Best, John Barrows

Today we’re shining a spotlight on IEF’s Program Manager, Caira Grey-Johnson Caira has over 8 years of experience leading and supporting teams within small and large nonprofits, in the US and abroad. For 4 years, she developed and managed her consultancy, focusing on various interventions in healthcare and civil rights causes. She is enthusiastic about her work in International Development and continuing to improve lives around the world. Caira is a native of The Gambia and is fluent in Krio, Wolof, and English. She is also a proud mother of one, and loves the outdoors and learning about new cultures.

Today we’re acknowledging the Society for Promotion of Eye Care & Sight (SPECS) and their work through the Bansara Eye Care Centre in Shillong, Meghalaya as they take part in the clinical trials of the Remedio AI Fundus Imaging Cameras. SPECS acts as the charitable wing of Bansara Eye Care Center, one of IEF’s partner hospitals providing comprehensive eye care in India.

Today we’re shining a spotlight on Jennifer K. Smith! Jen started working with IEF in April 2020, shortly after the launch of her accounting and tax services company, Jennifer K. Smith, CPA, LLC. Having originally joined at the start of the pandemic to assist with their audit, she was struck by the warmth and longevity of the staff and has since become their outsourced Director of Finance, where she handles all financial planning, strategy, and reporting. Prior to joining IEF, she was the Chief Financial Officer at the Strathmore Hall Foundation. Outside of her work she loves running, motorcycles, white-water kayaking, and her two big cats Tahiti and Dunkin.

Happy #WorldSightDay! This year's theme is "Love your eyes at work". Today we turn the world's focus towards caring for our eyes in the workplace to reduce eye strain and combat preventable blindness. Pictured: Raheem Rahmathullah at the Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital WSD point. #WorldSightDay2023