VOSH-CT returns to Nicaragua

For 22 years VOSH-CT has offered optometric services to the people of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua. This year between January 6^th and 13^th a 50 people team made up of VOSH-CT, SVOSH-UCBCO, and SVOSH-PCO members traveled to Nicaragua and offered their services to 3963 patients. Read the whole article and enjoy a sample of beautiful pictures here.

SVOSH-UAL joins VOSH-South Dakota in Gomez Palacios, Mexico

For 47 years, VOSH South Dakota has partnered with the Lions Club of Gomez Palacio in the state of Durango. Mexico. This year, students and faculty of the SVOSH chapter at the Universidad Autónoma de la Laguna joined them and together served 1920 patients. Read more about their experience and enjoy some pictures here.

Four VOSH chapters join forces in the Dominican Republic

VOSH-NE, VOSH-IA, VOSH-PA, and VOSH-FUMVISION-DR served about 800 patients in a true spirit of collaboration. Read more about this initiative here.

Supporting optometric education in Lebanon

Our friend, Dr Yazan Gammoh, chair of the World Council of Optometry education committee, Professor Vanessa Moodley, South Africa, and Dr Lina Hawat ran a workshop on Optometry Curriculum Standardization and Quality Assurance for Lebanese government and university officials and other eye care sector stakeholders. The workshop was a collaboration with the Department of Optics and Optometry at the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) and the Vision Care Association (VCA), supported by a WCO educator grant. Attendees discussed the ethics in the health care system, the situation of optometry education in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, and social accountability in optometry education. We look forward to hearing more about this important work.

QuickSee Flip offer for US VOSH chapters

The QuickSee Flip is a one-optical channel device that provides the same ease of use and accuracy as the QuickSee.  Plenoptika is offering the QuickSee Flip to US VOSH chapters on a first come first served basis for a discounted price of $3,000 instead of the standard of $5,000. The units come with the standard one-year guarantee and training. The specifications for the QuickSee Flip can be found here. If your chapter is interested, please contact Oscar Lazaro at oscar@plenoptika.com 

Türkiye and Syria earthquake

On February 6^th, the devasting earthquakes in southern Türkiye and Syria devastated the lives, livelihoods, and heritage of millions of people. Please consider supporting organizations that are offering expert humanitarian and emergency responses to both countries. Our colleagues at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) can be found here. Their office in Seattle, WA which is also a partner of VOSH-NW, is supporting a fundraiser by one of their volunteers here. The White Helmets can help Syria directly