2023 Focus on Eye Health Summit Presentations

2023 Focus on Eye Health Summit Presentations

The Focus on Eye Health National Summit brings together diverse stakeholders across the vision and eye health community to stimulate a national dialogue around emerging and current population health trends and topics such as equity, research, surveillance, access, prevention, service integration, program development, and dissemination of professional best practices.

The Focus on Eye Health Summit logo

SESSION 1: Opening Remarks & Keynote Presentation – Why the Eye? Advances in Eyecare and the Impact on the Patient

The goal of the keynote is to discuss how recent innovations are advancing eye care and how these innovations are impacting the patient.

Presentation Slides

Jeff Todd, president & CEO, Prevent Blindness

Jeff Todd
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness
(Moderator)

Neil M. Bressler, MD Editor in Chief, JAMA Ophthalmology Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Neil M. Bressler, MD
Editor in Chief, JAMA Ophthalmology
Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

SESSION 2: Why the Eye? Making an Impact With the Stories We Tell

The goal of this session is to discuss through a roundtable format how data, social media, and patient advocacy can be used to tell a story around the importance of vision and eye health.

Kevin D. Frick, PhD Professor, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

Kevin D. Frick, PhD
Professor, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School (Moderator)

Sila Bal, MD, MPH Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellow, Harvard Ophthalmology

Sila Bal, MD, MPH
Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellow, Harvard Ophthalmology

Patrice Marie Hicks, PhD, MPH Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan

Patrice Marie Hicks, PhD, MPH
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan

Christina Gill Global Family Coordinator, Know the Glow Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Christina Gill
Global Family Coordinator, Know the Glow
Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

SESSION 3: The Rising Visionary Award

The Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award is presented annually to a student or resident in a health-related field who submits the best overall application and essay addressing the 2023 Focus on Eye Health Summit theme: Why the Eye?

Presentation Slides

Jim McGrann Board Chair, Prevent Blindness

Jim McGrann
Board Chair, Prevent Blindness (Moderator)

Christina Ambrosino MD Candidate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Christina Ambrosino
MD Candidate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

SESSION 4: Why the Eye? Reimagining How We Engage Communities from Identification into Care – Children and Adults

The goal of this session is to discuss through a roundtable format how communities overcome barriers from identification to care by addressing access, cultural and language barriers, transportation, and use of telemedicine.

Tami Garcia President & CEO, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Tami Garcia
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Verian Wedeking Program Director, OHSU Casey Eye Institute Community Outreach

Verian Wedeking
Program Director, OHSU Casey Eye Institute Community Outreach

Mayhoua Moua Executive Director, Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health, Inc.

Mayhoua Moua
Executive Director, Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health, Inc.

Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH Vision Science Graduate Program Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH
Vision Science Graduate Program Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

Mercedes Hernández, MPH, CHES Director of Child and Family Health, East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

Mercedes Hernández, MPH, CHES
Director of Child and Family Health, East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

SESSION 5: 2023 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health & Closing Remarks

The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national and/or international level.

Presentation Slides

Jim McGrann Board Chair, Prevent Blindness

Jim McGrann
Board Chair, Prevent Blindness (Moderator)

Jeff Todd, president & CEO, Prevent Blindness

Jeff Todd
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness
(Moderator)

Dean A. VanNasdale, Jr., OD, PhD, Associate Professor at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Optometry

Dean A. VanNasdale, OD, PhD, FAAO
Associate Professor, The Ohio State University College of Optometry

SESSION 1: Opening Remarks & Keynote Presentation – Why the Eye? Innovative Mental Health Approaches

The goal of this session is to discuss the importance of and share actionable steps for integrating mental health into the vision and eye health community, share examples of how mental health has integrated in other health areas, and end with lessons learned and key takeaways for the vision and eye health community.

Presentation Slides

Jeff Todd, president & CEO, Prevent Blindness

Jeff Todd
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness
(Moderator)

Julian Eaton, BSc, MSc, MBBS, MRCPsych Mental Health Director, CBM Global Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Julian Eaton, BSc, MSc, MBBS, MRCPsych
Mental Health Director, CBM Global
Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

SESSION 2: Why the Eye? Forum on the Public Health Connection Between Mental Wellness and Vision

The goal of this forum is to discuss the importance of integrating mental health and vision and eye health; provide an overview of findings from the Prevent Blindness mental health task force; discuss in a roundtable with various providers around awareness, training, and resources available and needed; explore an integrated care model; and learn from the patient experience.

Presentation Slides:

Silverstein | Varadaraj | Grutzmacher

Moderator

Steven M. Silverstein, PhD Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center

Steven M. Silverstein, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center

Patient Perspective

Carol Johnson Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Carol Johnson
Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Public Health Case Around Mental Health and Vision

Varshini Varadaraj, MD, MPH Research Associate, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

Varshini Varadaraj, MD, MPH
Research Associate, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

Vision Loss and Mental Health Issue Brief

Julie Grutzmacher, MSW, MPH Director of Patient Advocacy & Population Health Initiatives, Prevent Blindness

Julie Grutzmacher, MSW, MPH
Director of Patient Advocacy & Population Health Initiatives, Prevent Blindness

Provider Roundtable Discussion

Melissa Taussig, MA, LCPC Private Practice Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Melissa Taussig, MA, LCPC
Private Practice

K. Thiran Jayasundera MD, MS Paul R. Lichter Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan

K. Thiran Jayasundera MD, MS
Paul R. Lichter Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan

Rochelle Neutra, MSN, FNP-BC Patient; Provider; Advocate; Prevent Blindness ASPECT Program Graduate

Rochelle Neutra, MSN, FNP-BC
Patient; Provider; Advocate; Prevent Blindness ASPECT Program Graduate

Kelly Scherer, OD Director of Clinical Services, The Lighthouse Chicago

Kelly Scherer, OD
Director of Clinical Services, The Lighthouse Chicago

Patient Perspective

Larry Woodard Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Larry Woodard
Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

SESSION 3: Why the Eye? Policy Opportunities and Obstacles Around Vision and Mental Wellness

The goal of this session through a fireside chat is to identify the separate and mutual policy obstacles and opportunities that exist within the vision and eye health and mental wellness communities, and to determine how both communities can work together to ensure patients facing vision loss are connected to the mental health care they need to maintain well-being.

Jennifer Dexter Vice President of Policy, National Health Council

Jennifer Dexter
Vice President of Policy, National Health Council (Moderator)

Sara D. Brown, MPA Director of Government Affairs, Prevent Blindness

Sara D. Brown, MPA
Director of Government Affairs, Prevent Blindness

Angela Kimball Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, Inseparable

Angela Kimball
Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, Inseparable

DAY 1: Wednesday, July 12, 2023

SESSION 1: Opening Remarks & Keynote Presentation – Why the Eye? Advances in Eyecare and the Impact on the Patient

The goal of the keynote is to discuss how recent innovations are advancing eye care and how these innovations are impacting the patient.

Presentation Slides

Jeff Todd, president & CEO, Prevent Blindness

Jeff Todd
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness
(Moderator)

Neil M. Bressler, MD Editor in Chief, JAMA Ophthalmology Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Neil M. Bressler, MD
Editor in Chief, JAMA Ophthalmology
Professor of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

SESSION 2: Why the Eye? Making an Impact With the Stories We Tell

The goal of this session is to discuss through a roundtable format how data, social media, and patient advocacy can be used to tell a story around the importance of vision and eye health.

Kevin D. Frick, PhD Professor, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

Kevin D. Frick, PhD
Professor, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School (Moderator)

Sila Bal, MD, MPH Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellow, Harvard Ophthalmology

Sila Bal, MD, MPH
Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellow, Harvard Ophthalmology

Patrice Marie Hicks, PhD, MPH Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan

Patrice Marie Hicks, PhD, MPH
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan

Christina Gill Global Family Coordinator, Know the Glow Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Christina Gill
Global Family Coordinator, Know the Glow
Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

SESSION 3: The Rising Visionary Award

The Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award is presented annually to a student or resident in a health-related field who submits the best overall application and essay addressing the 2023 Focus on Eye Health Summit theme: Why the Eye?

Presentation Slides

Jim McGrann Board Chair, Prevent Blindness

Jim McGrann
Board Chair, Prevent Blindness (Moderator)

Christina Ambrosino MD Candidate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Christina Ambrosino
MD Candidate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

SESSION 4: Why the Eye? Reimagining How We Engage Communities from Identification into Care – Children and Adults

The goal of this session is to discuss through a roundtable format how communities overcome barriers from identification to care by addressing access, cultural and language barriers, transportation, and use of telemedicine.

Tami Garcia President & CEO, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Tami Garcia
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Verian Wedeking Program Director, OHSU Casey Eye Institute Community Outreach

Verian Wedeking
Program Director, OHSU Casey Eye Institute Community Outreach

Mayhoua Moua Executive Director, Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health, Inc.

Mayhoua Moua
Executive Director, Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health, Inc.

Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH Vision Science Graduate Program Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

Ellen K. Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH
Vision Science Graduate Program Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

Mercedes Hernández, MPH, CHES Director of Child and Family Health, East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

Mercedes Hernández, MPH, CHES
Director of Child and Family Health, East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

SESSION 5: 2023 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health & Closing Remarks

The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national and/or international level.

Presentation Slides

Jim McGrann Board Chair, Prevent Blindness

Jim McGrann
Board Chair, Prevent Blindness (Moderator)

Jeff Todd, president & CEO, Prevent Blindness

Jeff Todd
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness
(Moderator)

Dean A. VanNasdale, Jr., OD, PhD, Associate Professor at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Optometry

Dean A. VanNasdale, OD, PhD, FAAO
Associate Professor, The Ohio State University College of Optometry

Day 2: Thursday, July 13, 2023

SESSION 1: Opening Remarks & Keynote Presentation – Why the Eye? Innovative Mental Health Approaches

The goal of this session is to discuss the importance of and share actionable steps for integrating mental health into the vision and eye health community, share examples of how mental health has integrated in other health areas, and end with lessons learned and key takeaways for the vision and eye health community.

Presentation Slides

Jeff Todd, president & CEO, Prevent Blindness

Jeff Todd
President & CEO, Prevent Blindness
(Moderator)

Julian Eaton, BSc, MSc, MBBS, MRCPsych Mental Health Director, CBM Global Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Julian Eaton, BSc, MSc, MBBS, MRCPsych
Mental Health Director, CBM Global
Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

SESSION 2: Why the Eye? Forum on the Public Health Connection Between Mental Wellness and Vision

The goal of this forum is to discuss the importance of integrating mental health and vision and eye health; provide an overview of findings from the Prevent Blindness mental health task force; discuss in a roundtable with various providers around awareness, training, and resources available and needed; explore an integrated care model; and learn from the patient experience.

Presentation Slides:

Silverstein | Varadaraj | Grutzmacher

Moderator

Steven M. Silverstein, PhD Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center

Steven M. Silverstein, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center

Patient Perspective

Carol Johnson Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Carol Johnson
Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Public Health Case Around Mental Health and Vision

Varshini Varadaraj, MD, MPH Research Associate, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

Varshini Varadaraj, MD, MPH
Research Associate, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

Vision Loss and Mental Health Issue Brief

Julie Grutzmacher, MSW, MPH Director of Patient Advocacy & Population Health Initiatives, Prevent Blindness

Julie Grutzmacher, MSW, MPH
Director of Patient Advocacy & Population Health Initiatives, Prevent Blindness

Provider Roundtable Discussion

Melissa Taussig, MA, LCPC Private Practice Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Melissa Taussig, MA, LCPC
Private Practice

K. Thiran Jayasundera MD, MS Paul R. Lichter Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan

K. Thiran Jayasundera MD, MS
Paul R. Lichter Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan

Rochelle Neutra, MSN, FNP-BC Patient; Provider; Advocate; Prevent Blindness ASPECT Program Graduate

Rochelle Neutra, MSN, FNP-BC
Patient; Provider; Advocate; Prevent Blindness ASPECT Program Graduate

Kelly Scherer, OD Director of Clinical Services, The Lighthouse Chicago

Kelly Scherer, OD
Director of Clinical Services, The Lighthouse Chicago

Patient Perspective

Larry Woodard Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

Larry Woodard
Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program Graduate

SESSION 3: Why the Eye? Policy Opportunities and Obstacles Around Vision and Mental Wellness

The goal of this session through a fireside chat is to identify the separate and mutual policy obstacles and opportunities that exist within the vision and eye health and mental wellness communities, and to determine how both communities can work together to ensure patients facing vision loss are connected to the mental health care they need to maintain well-being.

Jennifer Dexter Vice President of Policy, National Health Council

Jennifer Dexter
Vice President of Policy, National Health Council (Moderator)

Sara D. Brown, MPA Director of Government Affairs, Prevent Blindness

Sara D. Brown, MPA
Director of Government Affairs, Prevent Blindness

Angela Kimball Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, Inseparable

Angela Kimball
Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, Inseparable

Past Summits