EyeOn Patients - Illinois College of Optometry

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Vision of Hope Health Alliance Reaching out to those who cannot afford vision care In November 2003, the Illinois Eye Institute established the Vision of Hope Health Alliance, a community service program that provides comprehensive eye care to uninsured, low-income adults in Chicago. Many of these patients also suffer from underlying diseases that contribute to their eye problems, and the Alliance helps to connect these patients to primary healthcare providers. Building on the highly successful Vision of Hope program (launched initially with grants from the State of Illinois and the Washington Square Health Foundation), the Alliance is a network of partnering agencies that identify uninsured clients in need of primary eye care and refer them to IEI. Through gifts and grants from philanthropic sources and an in-kind commitment from IEI, VOHHA patients That includes her husband. Though he’s a member of the faculty, his interaction with students stems largely from working with them in the clinic. In addition to his allegiance to patients, Messner says he prioritizes practice in part so he can work with students. “It’s a great place for me to be,” he says. “That’s where I really feel the pulse of the institution, in terms of students, patients, faculty and staff.” The Outreach Messner’s other priorities include increased emphasis on outreach programs at IEI. With Eileen Gable, OD, Medical Director of Charitable Services, heading the effort, IEI’s commitment to the underserved has taken new dimensions. A turning point came in 2001, when more than $350,000 was given for the Vision of Hope program to provide eye care to 11 ICO Matters / Spring 2005 receive examinations, treatment of eye disease, glasses, other devices, relevant health information and follow-up care. The Eye Institute then links those in need of medical services to partnering Federally Qualified Health Centers who accept VOHHA patients for primary health care. During the pilot year of the VOHHA program, more than 400 uninsured patients were served and 79 percent needed eyeglasses (provided for free). Eighty-two percent was found to suffer from or have an increased risk for eye disease. And 55 percent warranted referrals to partnering health centers for medical care to address high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. The results have been significant, with many cases of not only improved eyesight, but improved quality of life. uninsured patients at IEI. Since then, services have proliferated, with programs for children, seniors and the visually impaired currently in place. And the VOH program itself has grown, joining forces with community health centers to become the Vision of Hope Health Alliance in 2003. According to Taylor, who provides pediatric low vision services at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired under a Lions Foundation of Illinois grant, “The clinic keeps growing as a good community service. We can serve the entire range, from infants to people over 100.” The Eye Institute can also increasingly serve as a conduit for people who need eye surgery. A partnership with the University of Chicago not only facilitates referrals between the two institutions, but offers research and clinical opportunities for faculty, students and residents.
Behind the scenes at the Fait Family Eyewear Center Valerie Kattouf, OD ’95, is IEI’s Medical Director of the University of Chicago Clinics. She spends one day a week in the U of C’s pediatric specialty unit and works to facilitate interdisciplinary clinical opportunities. She is also lead investigator for IEI’s Pediatric Outreach Program (see stories on pp. 14 and 15). All along, members of both the ICO and U of C communities have been excited about the partnership. Plans for furthering it through research and clinical programs continue to be developed. The Future Plans for marketing the Eye Institute also continue to be discussed. Messner has launched a broad internal marketing program geared toward enhancing patient relations, and last fall he appointed Vince Brandys, OD ’90, to serve as Director of Professional Relations. Brandys’s job is to keep local and regional practitioners informed about the resources and initiatives at the Illinois Eye Institute. That’s because those resources and initiatives continue to grow. Messner wants IEI to “be a center of excellence, a point of referral for optometrists and other physicians,” he says, “but also a first-rate primary eyecare clinic. Our challenge is to balance the nuts and bolts with the high-tech. But, I’m lucky, there are really great people working here who are up for the job.” ◆ Spring 2005 / ICO Matters 12
Page 1 and 2: Magazine of the Illinois College of
Page 3 and 4: Board of Trustees James R. Butler,
Page 5 and 6: A Message from the President “Mom
Page 7 and 8: Philip Hottel, OD ’48, has made a
Page 9 and 10: dents and patients - to reflect adv
Page 11: Customer Service Representatives (l
Page 15 and 16: A Great Return When Valerie Kattouf
Page 17 and 18: Obituaries 1920 E.D. Newman has pas
Page 19 and 20: Welcome aboard! New Trustees bring
Page 21 and 22: Leadership Circle Leadership Circle

EyeOn Patients - Illinois College of Optometry

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