May 8-12 & August 21-25, 2011
In 2011, 112 students and 14 doctors divided into 9 groups and traveled to Belize, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico. By the end of the trips, we performed over 9,000 eye exams and distributed 9,898 pairs of prescription spectacles and non-prescription sunglasses!
2011 Trip Totals
Patients: 9,222 Glasses: 7,322 Sunglasses: 2,576 Referrals: 787 Pathology: 1,574
2011 was a year for breaking records! This year saw the highest number of members, trips, patients seen, and glasses distributed ever in the history of SVOSH. Despite one of our May trips being cancelled due to safety concerns, we were able to arrange one more trip in August to make sure every SVOSH member had an opportunity to serve. See what our members have to say about their experience, and view pictures from our most recent trips.
2011 Trip Totals
Patients: 9,222 Glasses: 7,322 Sunglasses: 2,576 Referrals: 787 Pathology: 1,574
2011 was a year for breaking records! This year saw the highest number of members, trips, patients seen, and glasses distributed ever in the history of SVOSH. Despite one of our May trips being cancelled due to safety concerns, we were able to arrange one more trip in August to make sure every SVOSH member had an opportunity to serve. See what our members have to say about their experience, and view pictures from our most recent trips.
Belmopan, Belize
Belmopan Totals
Patients: 718 Glasses: 478 Sunglasses: 143 Referrals: 29 Pathology: 38
Staff Doctor: Dr. Dustin Honeyman
SVOSH Members: Noushin Ahmed, Anna Ablamowicz, Roba Bakir, Brandon Blevins, Molly Camerer, Susan Evans, Kathryn Gault, Lindsay Gould, Jacqueline Kronlage, Daniel Pridemore
"The best part about going to Belmopan, Belize with SVOSH was seeing how even our limited knowledge of eyes and vision could truly help put a smile (and glasses) on so many faces." ---Susan Evans, Class of 2014
"My SVOSH trip to Belize allowed me to use the skills I learned in school to help others and I liked that feeling. I am so lucky to have met so many wonderful people on the trip who encourage me to keep helping others."
---Roba Bakir, Class of 2013
Patients: 718 Glasses: 478 Sunglasses: 143 Referrals: 29 Pathology: 38
Staff Doctor: Dr. Dustin Honeyman
SVOSH Members: Noushin Ahmed, Anna Ablamowicz, Roba Bakir, Brandon Blevins, Molly Camerer, Susan Evans, Kathryn Gault, Lindsay Gould, Jacqueline Kronlage, Daniel Pridemore
"The best part about going to Belmopan, Belize with SVOSH was seeing how even our limited knowledge of eyes and vision could truly help put a smile (and glasses) on so many faces." ---Susan Evans, Class of 2014
"My SVOSH trip to Belize allowed me to use the skills I learned in school to help others and I liked that feeling. I am so lucky to have met so many wonderful people on the trip who encourage me to keep helping others."
---Roba Bakir, Class of 2013
Belize City, Belize
Belize City Totals
Patients: 1,172 Glasses: 440 Sunglasses: 327 Referrals: 85 Pathology: 81
Staff Doctors: Dr. Dan Bowersox, Dr. Marc Taub
SVOSH Members: Kala Brown, Kelly Conyer, Lucas Cook, Joanna Gebhardt, PJ Holden, Blake Jarrard,
Adrienne Pak, Christopher Prough, Tripper Robinson, Rachana Shah, Sarah Thompson, Matthew Willis
Patients: 1,172 Glasses: 440 Sunglasses: 327 Referrals: 85 Pathology: 81
Staff Doctors: Dr. Dan Bowersox, Dr. Marc Taub
SVOSH Members: Kala Brown, Kelly Conyer, Lucas Cook, Joanna Gebhardt, PJ Holden, Blake Jarrard,
Adrienne Pak, Christopher Prough, Tripper Robinson, Rachana Shah, Sarah Thompson, Matthew Willis
Barranquilla, Colombia
Barranquilla Totals
Patients: 1,113 Glasses: 916 Sunglasses: 324 Referrals: 74 Pathology: 270
Staff Doctors: Dr. Kelley Dasinger, Dr. Michael Dasinger
SVOSH Members: Ashley Ballard, Joseph Ballard, Andrew Botts, Jeffrey Coats, Kendra Dalton, Katie Kerr-Niermann, Julianne Koch, Megan Kortum, Lauren Krawczyk, Jessica Nichols, Rachel Siegel, Laura Verwilst
"On our trip to Barranquilla, Colombia we saw over 1,000 patients. It was an incredible experience and the clinic exposure we all gained is invaluable. Everyone made us feel extremely welcome especially the Lion's Club, and the gratitude from the people we helped will never be forgotten." ----Rachel Siegel, Class of 2014
"Opened my eyes to how great we really have it." ---Jeff Coats, Class of 2014
Patients: 1,113 Glasses: 916 Sunglasses: 324 Referrals: 74 Pathology: 270
Staff Doctors: Dr. Kelley Dasinger, Dr. Michael Dasinger
SVOSH Members: Ashley Ballard, Joseph Ballard, Andrew Botts, Jeffrey Coats, Kendra Dalton, Katie Kerr-Niermann, Julianne Koch, Megan Kortum, Lauren Krawczyk, Jessica Nichols, Rachel Siegel, Laura Verwilst
"On our trip to Barranquilla, Colombia we saw over 1,000 patients. It was an incredible experience and the clinic exposure we all gained is invaluable. Everyone made us feel extremely welcome especially the Lion's Club, and the gratitude from the people we helped will never be forgotten." ----Rachel Siegel, Class of 2014
"Opened my eyes to how great we really have it." ---Jeff Coats, Class of 2014
Tela, Honduras (May)
Tela (May Trip) Totals
Patients: 1,268 Glasses: 867 Sunglasses: 709 Referrals: 27 Pathology: 171
Staff Doctors: Dr. Andre Lenoir, Dr. John Spencer
SVOSH Members: Seth Baldwin, Sarah Bassett, Nora Cothran, John DeVincenzo, Sara Faulkenberry, Lacey Hedges, Heather Hildebrand, Kathryn Huebner, Mallory Phillips, Priya Sheth, Jessica Sumrall, Brett Miller, Sara Pourheydarian
Patients: 1,268 Glasses: 867 Sunglasses: 709 Referrals: 27 Pathology: 171
Staff Doctors: Dr. Andre Lenoir, Dr. John Spencer
SVOSH Members: Seth Baldwin, Sarah Bassett, Nora Cothran, John DeVincenzo, Sara Faulkenberry, Lacey Hedges, Heather Hildebrand, Kathryn Huebner, Mallory Phillips, Priya Sheth, Jessica Sumrall, Brett Miller, Sara Pourheydarian
Tela, Honduras (August)
Tela (August Trip) Totals
Patients: 1,070 Glasses: 897 Sunglasses: 244 Referrals: 79 Pathology:
Staff Doctors: Dr. Andrew Rixon, Dr. Dan Smith
SVOSH Members: Mary Armanious, Mason Authement, Lindsey Bueche, Tu Bui, Hilary Cox, Leigha Davis, Kaila Egan, Sarah Her, Meaghan Horton, Anna Lammers, Jennifer Pancoast
Patients: 1,070 Glasses: 897 Sunglasses: 244 Referrals: 79 Pathology:
Staff Doctors: Dr. Andrew Rixon, Dr. Dan Smith
SVOSH Members: Mary Armanious, Mason Authement, Lindsey Bueche, Tu Bui, Hilary Cox, Leigha Davis, Kaila Egan, Sarah Her, Meaghan Horton, Anna Lammers, Jennifer Pancoast
May Pen, Jamaica
Jamaica Totals
Patients: 712 Glasses: 707 Sunglasses: 374 Referrals: 212 Pathology: 264
Staff Doctor: Dr. Marc Hudson
SVOSH Members: Ellesse Boiwka, Robyn Christenson, Kyle Dohrman, Elizabeth Dow, JD Elder, Jennifer Elder, Shannon Iwanski, Heather Jones, Christina Schiller, Nathan Stahr, Sarah Sweeney, Samantha Triplett
"My SVOSH trip to Jamaica was an amazing experience! When we pulled up to the clinic on the first day and I saw the line of people out the door waiting for us to arrive, I realized how incredibly important our work is and how much of an impact we can have on other lives. It was so rewarding to see each person smile when we gave them their glasses and they were able to read! The Lion's Club members were wonderful hosts and made sure that we had everything we needed at the clinic and allowed us to experience Jamaica with freshly cooked local food every morning and trips to restaurants and town centers at night. I am looking forward to my second SVOSH trip this year!!"
--- Tina Schiller, Class of 2014
Patients: 712 Glasses: 707 Sunglasses: 374 Referrals: 212 Pathology: 264
Staff Doctor: Dr. Marc Hudson
SVOSH Members: Ellesse Boiwka, Robyn Christenson, Kyle Dohrman, Elizabeth Dow, JD Elder, Jennifer Elder, Shannon Iwanski, Heather Jones, Christina Schiller, Nathan Stahr, Sarah Sweeney, Samantha Triplett
"My SVOSH trip to Jamaica was an amazing experience! When we pulled up to the clinic on the first day and I saw the line of people out the door waiting for us to arrive, I realized how incredibly important our work is and how much of an impact we can have on other lives. It was so rewarding to see each person smile when we gave them their glasses and they were able to read! The Lion's Club members were wonderful hosts and made sure that we had everything we needed at the clinic and allowed us to experience Jamaica with freshly cooked local food every morning and trips to restaurants and town centers at night. I am looking forward to my second SVOSH trip this year!!"
--- Tina Schiller, Class of 2014
Guanajuato, Mexico
Guanajuato Totals
Patients: 1,208 Glasses: 1,076 Sunglasses: 164 Referrals: 78 Pathology: 252
Staff Doctors: Dr. Silvana Abadeer, Dr. Roselyn Ahua
SVOSH Members: Andrew Brauer, Stacey Canton, Amy Combs, Sam Johnson, Nicole Kosciuk, Rinku Patel, Alyssa Paul, Jordan Paul, Christie Puglis, Sarah Rosinski, Joel Weis
“The 2011 Guanajuato trip was by far the most busy of any that I have attended. Our hosts were incredibly welcoming and gracious; the people we helped were unanimously appreciative. We witnessed an area of great need and came to know local heroes who sacrificed greatly to ensure we had all the tools to be successful. This was SVOSH’s first visit to Guanajuato, and it’s a testament to the hard work of the Guanajuato Lion’s Club that it went every bit as smoothly as a trip to one of our perennial destinations. The 2011 Guanajuato trip was what SVOSH is all about.”
---Andrew Brauer, Class of 2012
Patients: 1,208 Glasses: 1,076 Sunglasses: 164 Referrals: 78 Pathology: 252
Staff Doctors: Dr. Silvana Abadeer, Dr. Roselyn Ahua
SVOSH Members: Andrew Brauer, Stacey Canton, Amy Combs, Sam Johnson, Nicole Kosciuk, Rinku Patel, Alyssa Paul, Jordan Paul, Christie Puglis, Sarah Rosinski, Joel Weis
“The 2011 Guanajuato trip was by far the most busy of any that I have attended. Our hosts were incredibly welcoming and gracious; the people we helped were unanimously appreciative. We witnessed an area of great need and came to know local heroes who sacrificed greatly to ensure we had all the tools to be successful. This was SVOSH’s first visit to Guanajuato, and it’s a testament to the hard work of the Guanajuato Lion’s Club that it went every bit as smoothly as a trip to one of our perennial destinations. The 2011 Guanajuato trip was what SVOSH is all about.”
---Andrew Brauer, Class of 2012
Umán, Mexico
Umán Totals
Patients: 1,015 Glasses: 1,095 Sunglasses: 201 Referrals: 91 Pathology: 347
Staff Doctors: Dr. Ginger Delafosse, Dr. Jennifer Holman
SVOSH Members: Catherine Abbott, Luke Bell, Jeanne Chen, Adam Fonesca, Heidi Fouch, Sarah Gore, Stephanie Hahn, Jessica Hildebrand, Linh Hong, Celisha Merriman, Rachel Miller, Kristin Schick, Katelyn Shea, Long Van
"Serving while in Uman was a remarkable experience--I learned a great deal about my profession and better yet, experienced the joy of interacting with people of an amazing culture. " ---Kristin Schick, Class of 2014
"I would greatly recommend going on a SVOSH trip to any student considering it. It was so wonderful to realize that even after just one year of optometry school, I was still able to help so many people. My skills have improved greatly and it was so much fun getting to know the people of Uman. The local Lion's Club and the Mayor of Uman were absolutely amazing in their aid and their hospitality. They worked very hard to make sure the clinic ran as smoothly as possible, but still took the time to make sure we enjoyed ourselves and saw the sights. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience and I look forward to future trips!" ---Linh Hong, Class of 2014
Patients: 1,015 Glasses: 1,095 Sunglasses: 201 Referrals: 91 Pathology: 347
Staff Doctors: Dr. Ginger Delafosse, Dr. Jennifer Holman
SVOSH Members: Catherine Abbott, Luke Bell, Jeanne Chen, Adam Fonesca, Heidi Fouch, Sarah Gore, Stephanie Hahn, Jessica Hildebrand, Linh Hong, Celisha Merriman, Rachel Miller, Kristin Schick, Katelyn Shea, Long Van
"Serving while in Uman was a remarkable experience--I learned a great deal about my profession and better yet, experienced the joy of interacting with people of an amazing culture. " ---Kristin Schick, Class of 2014
"I would greatly recommend going on a SVOSH trip to any student considering it. It was so wonderful to realize that even after just one year of optometry school, I was still able to help so many people. My skills have improved greatly and it was so much fun getting to know the people of Uman. The local Lion's Club and the Mayor of Uman were absolutely amazing in their aid and their hospitality. They worked very hard to make sure the clinic ran as smoothly as possible, but still took the time to make sure we enjoyed ourselves and saw the sights. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience and I look forward to future trips!" ---Linh Hong, Class of 2014
Valladolid, Mexico
Valladolid Totals
Patients: 946 Glasses: 846 Sunglasses: 90 Referrals: 111 Pathology: 151
Staff Doctors: Dr. Gary Collins, Dr. Angela Howell
SVOSH Members: Utham Balachandran, Savannah Brunt, Jennifer Craig, Deanna Dowler, Alisha Duffy, James Grant, Paul Grigonis, Rajinder Kaur, Priya Patel, Christopher Pena, Chelsea Spalding
"I am so glad I had the opportunity to serve the people of Valladaloid, Mexico through SVOSH at SCO. The Lions that hosted us were extremely welcoming and the people we saw were so appreciative and thankful for our time and help. Even though we had language barriers, we were able to provide vision to hundreds of people in less than a week. Seeing our patients’ reactions for the first time after giving them the glasses they’ve needed for years was priceless. We also saw diseases that we may never get a chance to see here in Memphis. It was an amazing learning experience!"
---Priya Patel, Class of 2014
"My first SVOSH trip is something I will remember for the rest of my life. The number of people we helped and the joy you get from giving someone the gift of sight is unlike any other experience." ---Rajinder Kaur, Class of 2014
Patients: 946 Glasses: 846 Sunglasses: 90 Referrals: 111 Pathology: 151
Staff Doctors: Dr. Gary Collins, Dr. Angela Howell
SVOSH Members: Utham Balachandran, Savannah Brunt, Jennifer Craig, Deanna Dowler, Alisha Duffy, James Grant, Paul Grigonis, Rajinder Kaur, Priya Patel, Christopher Pena, Chelsea Spalding
"I am so glad I had the opportunity to serve the people of Valladaloid, Mexico through SVOSH at SCO. The Lions that hosted us were extremely welcoming and the people we saw were so appreciative and thankful for our time and help. Even though we had language barriers, we were able to provide vision to hundreds of people in less than a week. Seeing our patients’ reactions for the first time after giving them the glasses they’ve needed for years was priceless. We also saw diseases that we may never get a chance to see here in Memphis. It was an amazing learning experience!"
---Priya Patel, Class of 2014
"My first SVOSH trip is something I will remember for the rest of my life. The number of people we helped and the joy you get from giving someone the gift of sight is unlike any other experience." ---Rajinder Kaur, Class of 2014
2010-2011 Executive BoardBrett Miller, President
Heather Hildebrand, Vice President Andrew Brauer, Secretary Kendra Dalton, Treasurer |
Jessica Nichols, Int'l Missions Coordinator Sarah Rosinski, Int'l Missions Coordinator Christie Puglis, Fundraising Coordinator Daniel Pridemore, Lab Coordinator Jared Quesenberry, Regional Missions Coordinator |
More Pictures and Stats from Previous Trips:
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2010 Photos and Stats
International: Barranquilla, Colombia Mazatlán, Mexico Mérida, Mexico Lima, Peru May Pen, Jamaica Belmopan, Belize Minsk, Belarus 2009 Photos and Stats
International: Mérida, Mexico Villahermosa, Mexico Belmopan, Belize Barranquilla, Colombia May Pen, Jamaica Minsk, Belarus Local: Pidgeon Forge, Tennessee, USA |
2008 Photos and Stats
International: Barranquilla, Colombia Mérida, Mexico Los Mochis, Mexico Villahermosa, Mexico Mazatlán, Mexico May Pen, Jamaica |