VOSH identifies two programs to address preventable blindness

VOSH/International announced two new programs – VOSH Corps and Eye Teach – designed to help achieve the goal of eliminating preventable blindness by the year 2020, an objective of the World Health Organization.

According to a VOSH press release, VOSH Corps is a collaboration with the Brien Holden Vision Institute Public Health Division and is supported by Optometry Giving Sight. Modeled after the Peace Corps program, graduates from North American optometry schools will be recruited to serve in emerging optometric institutions around the world as faculty and program development assistants.

Eye Teach is a teaching and mentoring program developed by the Brien Holden Vision Institute and designed to expand the quality of optometric education around the world, according to the release. The faculty of optometric institutions, along with clinicians participating in sustainable vision programs in developing countries, will be trained to instruct and develop curricula.

These announcements were made at the VOSH/International annual meeting held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, last week.

David McPhillips, OD, was installed as the new VOSH president, replacing Ellis Potter, OD.

The VOSH Humanitarian of the Year Award was presented to Carl Sakovits, OD, for his leadership in transitioning clinics to sustainable eye care.

The Latin American Association of Optometry recognized Greg Pearl, OD, for his support of the development of the profession within Latin America.