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NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2020 CHANG HUMANITARIAN AWARD
The time has come again to celebrate the inspirational work being done by your colleagues in ophthalmology in the global battle against treatable cataract blindness and disability.
We need your assistance to find worthy candidates who demonstrate a commitment to service and volunteerism. We're looking for those ophthalmologists doing exceptional humanitarian work to alleviate
needless global blindness. Do you know an inspirational individual or organization that merits special recognition and support?
We are excited to open nominations for the 3rd annual
ASCRS Foundation Chang Humanitarian Award. Founded in 2017 with a generous endowment from David & Victoria Chang, the award was created to honor and recognize the significant humanitarian efforts of a leader working in the area of cataract blindness, whether
domestically or across the globe.
The winner will receive the award at the 2020 ASCRS Annual Meeting, and a $50,000 prize will be made in their name to a charitable ophthalmology organization of their choosing. Ready to nominate
a worthy candidate? Begin the process
here.
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DR. BARB ERNY ON THE ICO BOARD EXAM REVIEW COURSE IN ETHIOPIA
Beginning in 2018, Barb Erny, MD, has worked as the Foundation’s Medical Liaison for International Programs. This Spring she had the opportunity to observe the ICO Board exam review course in Ethiopia,
which is sponsored in part by the ASCRS Foundation. Here’s a portion of the article Dr. Erny wrote for
our blog about her experience:
Despite these obstacles, the reviews of the course were extremely positive, both from the residents and the speakers. Personally, I enjoyed lecturing on cataract/lens, socializing
with the residents and seeing them work together to review the subject matter. The real evidence of success, however, came later when we received the results of the exams. In one year, the pass rate in Ethiopia for optics, refraction and instruments increased
by 25%, for visual science by 13% and for clinical ophthalmology by 15%. Compared to the total number of test takers in approximately 80 countries, the Ethiopian residents performed better than average in all three sections and blew it out of the water with
an 87% pass rate in visual science compared to 57% worldwide!
The ASCRS Foundation is committed to working with our NGO partners and in- country ophthalmologists to provide quality training. In just a few years Ethiopia has grown to have
five residency programs and every sub-specialty (except neuro-ophthalmology), and next year will start to offer fellowships. Your contributions are not only used to directly help impoverished patients, but also go toward ophthalmology education. Helping residents
pass their board exams provides the foundation for sustainable, locally sourced eye care.
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APPLY NOW FOR THE YES INTERNATIONAL SERVICE GRANT
Are you a young doctor looking to make a difference in communities across the globe? In July, the ASCRS Foundation opened the application period for its inaugural
YES International Service Grant, an award intended to inspire young eye surgeons to become involved with global eyecare on a long-term basis. The award will allows those selected to work closely with partner community eyecare programs, teaching institutions,
and health care systems outside the United States. Grantees will work with the ASCRS Foundation and its international partners (HCP, ORBIS, SEVA, and others) to develop a customized international volunteer plan.
The grant application is open to ASCRS members who are third year residents or fellows, or in their first five years of practice. This ASCRS Foundation grant will cover 2-4 weeks of travel expenses,
room and board, and administrative costs associated with the international work. Grantees will be required to attend the 2020 and 2021 ASCRS Annual Meetings, and will receive complementary registration, as long as they remain ASCRS members in good standing.
Also, as part of their status as YIS Grant awardees, they will be encouraged to share their success stories to encourage volunteerism in the larger ophthalmic community.
Click
here to apply. The 2020 application period closes September 20th, 2019.
HELPING THOSE MOST IN NEED THROUGH OPERATION SIGHT
When wait-listed
Operation
Sight patients were asked “What would you tell an Operation Sight volunteer surgeon?” They had this to share:
“This program could change my life and allow me to regain my independence. You are helping those who do not have the resources to help themselves.” Wait-Listed Operation Sight Patient,
Harrison, TN
“You are helping the less fortunate to have a healthy and fulfilling life. It is a blessing to have others help those who are most in need.” Wait-Listed Operation Sight Patient,
Houston, TX
“The gift of sight is a wonderful thing. I know I’m going to appreciate my new-found eye sight if I’m lucky enough to be chosen.” Wait-Listed Operation Sight Patient,
Reidsville, NC
These are just some of the many needy patients hoping to benefit from charitable cataract surgery through Operation Sight, the ASCRS Foundation's U.S.-based charitable cataract surgery program.
The ASCRS Foundation is currently preparing for its 4th annual
National Sight Week initiative, October 20-26, where the goal is to complete as many charitable cataract surgeries as possible, and increase the overall awareness of the Operation Sight program.
For more information on Operation Sight or National Sight Week, please contact us at [email protected].
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