Advancing Eye Health Through Data, Community, and Policy: Spotlight on the Rising Visionary Award Honoree
November 20 @ 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - EDT
Join us for an engaging discussion on how integrating social determinants of health (SDOH) into vision and eye health research, programs, and policy can reduce disparities and expand access to care. Speakers will highlight the role of data, community engagement, and cross-sector partnerships in identifying and addressing barriers to eye health in underserved populations.
Dr. Patrice M. Hicks, Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award recipient, will share insights from her work applying SDOH research to inform policy and clinical practice. Dr. Karen Allison will explore how public health data drives effective strategies to reach those most at risk. Phillip Goglas II will close out the session with a look at how federal policy and funding priorities shape our approaches to public health, including national vision and eye health initiatives. He will discuss the vital role of advocacy in influencing those decisions.
This virtual event is supported by funding from:
Platinum: Alliance for Aging Research, PhRMA
Gold: Amgen, BIO, BrightFocus Foundation, Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation, Genentech
Moderator
Jeff Todd
President & CEO
Prevent Blindness
Jeff Todd serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight for people of all ages. Since its founding in 1908, Prevent Blindness has advanced eye health and safety by educating the public, advocating for equitable access to eyecare, promoting early detection of vision problems, and supporting patients and care partners.
Joining Prevent Blindness in 2003, Jeff held roles as Director of Public Health and Chief Operating Officer before becoming President and CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, the organization has launched the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health, promoting comprehensive pediatric eye care; led an annual national summit as a forum for the exchange of ideas relating to vision and public health; produced pivotal research on the prevalence and cost of vision problems in the U.S.; and advocated for the Early Detection for Vision Impairment in Children Act, currently under Congressional review.
Beyond Prevent Blindness, Jeff is an active leader in the vision and public health sectors. He serves on the Boards of the National Health Council (Immediate Past Chair), the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (North America Regional Director), and Vision 2020 USA (Past Chair). He is also a past chair of the Vision Care Section of the American Public Health Association and former member of Howard Brown Health.
Earlier in his career, Jeff led statewide health and safety programs in Indiana’s Governor’s Office, spearheaded national youth development initiatives, and directed the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center.
Originally from Indiana, Jeff earned a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law–Indianapolis, an M.S. in Communications from Butler University, and a B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He currently resides in Chicago and is a member of the District of Columbia (DC) Bar Association.
Speakers
Karen Allison, MD, MBA, FACS
Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Flaum Eye Institute
University of Rochester Medical Center
Karen Allison MD, MBA, FACS is a board-certified ophthalmologist at the Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester. She earned her medical degree from Rutgers Medical School and completed her residency in ophthalmology at the SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, she pursued a fellowship in Glaucoma at the Oschner Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 20 years of experience in teaching residents, she currently holds the position of Chief of Glaucoma at the University of Rochester’s Flaum Eye Institute. Additionally, she serves as the Glaucoma Fellowship Director and leads the Population Medicine Glaucoma Division at the institute. Dr. Allison is actively engaged in population medicine research as a member of the Population Medicine Research Committee, as well as in diversity and equity research at the University of Rochester’s Flaum Eye Institute.
Karen Allison, MD, conducts clinical research both locally and internationally through her collaborations with many other researchers. She is a founding member of the African Hereditary Research Consortium, AfriGen – African Glaucoma Research Group and chair of the Glaucoma division of the Population Medicine Research Group. She is founder of the Pan African Glaucoma Association and the Minority Mentorships Program at the University of Rochester. She has authored “Why Am I Not 20/20” an educational book for patients and has co-authored many manuscripts and book chapters. She is involved in mentorship programs nationally and internationally and has mentored over 500 persons during her career.
Dr. Allison has received numerous accolades for her contributions, including recognition as one of the leading physicians globally, designation as a Top Ophthalmologist in New York, and various awards for distinction and community service. She is a board member of many organizations and expert advisor to many organizations including Prevent Blindness.
Philip Goglas II, MPAP
Managing Partner
Health and Medicine Counsel
Philip Goglas II has worked with patient organizations for a decade focusing on expanding research and educating policymakers on the challenges of the chronic disease community. In addition to Prevent Blindness, Philip represents the HBCU medical, dental, veterinary and pharmacy schools. Additionally, he focuses on minority health and health disparities research, legislation and policy. Philip has expertise in the appropriations process and advancing critical priorities of the chronic disease community through Congress. Philip previously worked for two New York House of Representatives members giving him direct exposure to the legislative process. Philip graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.A. in Government and Politics and from American University with a Master of Public Administration and Policy.
Patrice M. Hicks, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor
University of Michigan Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Dr. Patrice Hicks is an ophthalmic epidemiologist whose research focuses on the social determinants of health and social risk factors related to eye care and vision health outcomes. Specifically, her work highlights the implications of the neighborhood and built environment on both acute and chronic eye disease. She received her PhD in Population Health Sciences with an emphasis in Clinical and Translational Epidemiology from the University of Utah, where she was funded by an NIH T32 Institutional Training grant. Dr. Hicks completed her postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Michigan, and she was also a University of Michigan K12 Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) Fellow.
