Staff Spotlight: Alena Hackett, Community Outreach Coordinator, The Eye Institute

What is your official title at Drexel?

Clinical Community Outreach Coordinator, The Eye Institute of Drexel University

What is your job?

The biggest part of my job is to ensure underserved school children receive the vision care they need. I schedule and manage the School Vision Program team. I also interact with community leaders to make sure the public knows about the resources our clinical facilities have to offer.

Who do you interact with most on a daily basis?

I work closely with the School Vision Program team: Brandy Scombordi-Raghu, OD, director of optometric clinical outreach, and Steve Lee, Joanne Packer and Corina Elston, who serve as optometric technicians and assistants in the program. This also includes many (Doctor of Optometry) student interns and adjunct faculty, who are clinical preceptors. I communicate with a lot of school nurses! I also help the Elkins Park Campus marketing team with community events and clinical activities.

What is your typical day like?

I start my day early at home answering emails. When I get to The Eye Institute, I have a lot of conversations with school nurses to help the underserved kids in the greater Philadelphia area. I spend much of my time making all the activities — vision screenings, exams for the schools and community, and resource tables — fit into our schedule.

How do you see your work fitting into the big picture of the missions of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry?

All the work I do is to serve our patients and engage with the community. Proper vision care can change a young person’s life. If you can’t see the blackboard, you can’t learn! Our goal is to be in the schools and community to help young people have a better experience.

What are your favorite and least favorite tasks?

My favorite part of my job is when I get to go to a school and see how excited the kids are to get eyeglasses. I don’t get to go out too often, but it is very heartwarming. My least favorite part is when I have to tell schools or event organizers “no.” We want to help everyone, but unfortunately there are not enough hours in a day.

What is your educational and previous work background? How did those prepare you for what you do now?

Before working at The Eye Institute, I was a small business owner. I worked with fine chocolate as a chocolatier and owned a specialty candy store. Prior to that experience, I attended Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. I think working with the public for many years has helped me learn how to talk to strangers. Engaging with the public is definitely an acquired skill! I think everyone should be required to work a retail job at least once in their life. 

When you are working on site, do you bring your own lunch or eat out?

I always bring my own lunch. I usually eat at my desk and do a crossword puzzle.

What’s one piece of Philly culture that you return to over and over again, and why?

Just outside of Philadelphia is the Brandywine River Museum, which showcases many of the Wyeth family’s artwork. I love that there is a place so close to a big city that honors the countryside and the artists who loved it. Being from the Philadelphia area, I have to say that football season is my favorite time of year: Go Birds!