In Case You Missed It: The Eye Institute Has Been Busy in the Community
The Eye Institute (TEI) of Drexel University has been busy over the past few months. Here are some of the exciting events in which our students and doctors have participated in for the community at large:
Day of Service Event
The Eye Institute hosted a service event in February to provide vision care for school-age children who may not otherwise receive it. The event attracted 34 patients ages 5 to 18 and allowed patients to receive much-needed eye care.
Free Retinal Screenings
In conjunction with Wills Eye Hospital and Temple University Department of Ophthalmology, TEI offered free diabetic screenings in March for patients, including same-day results and important diabetic education. All three clinical facilities worked together to screen thirteen patients and complete comprehensive eye exams for three patients. Two patients were additionally referred for further care based on the screening results.
Pop-Up Health Fair
In early May, TEI joined the Community Health Fair at Lingelbach School in providing free vision and eye health screenings at its third annual Pop-Up Clinic. TEI’s Community Outreach Team partnered with the Black Nurses Association to provide care to 39 patients at this event.
Men’s Wellness Day
In May, TEI partnered with Pennsylvania Vision Foundations and Centene Healthcare to screen 185 individuals for glaucoma, vision conditions, and retinopathy, of which 113 patients went on to have full comprehensive eye exams in TEI’s Mobile Unit for Healthcare Resources (MUHR), and 118 eyeglasses were prescribed. Optometric interns and Drexel Medical students assisted our two eye doctors, two residents, and a recent alumnus in completing the exams at this event.
Dornsife Community Dinners
TEI’s Community Outreach team attended the June Dornsife Community dinner to help Drexel Medical students with vision screenings and eye health examinations. TEI’s interns and doctors assisted in examining eight community members and provided them with complimentary eyeglasses.
In July, the Pennsylvania Ear Institute lead audiologist, Dr. Rebecca Blaha, and Dr. Jonette Owen, along with 11 students from Osborne Audiology conducted hearing screenings on approximately 20 people.
Special Olympics Screenings
Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) faculty, alumni and Doctor of Optometry students volunteered at the June Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Clinic in New Jersey. As part of the “Opening Eyes” initiative, athletes were provided with free eye health and vision screenings and a pair of eyeglasses, sunglasses, or sports glasses.
Mobile Unit Summer Events
The Mobile Unit for Healthcare Resources (MUHR), which includes all the essential equipment needed to complete a comprehensive vision exam, as well as hearing and speech-language screenings to children in school districts throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, have several summer events scheduled. They include:
Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) in West Chester – July 24, July 27, July 31, Aug. 17 and Aug. 28.
Dornsife Community dinner in Philadelphia – From 4 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 11.
Community in Action Festival – Noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 22.
Elevate215 School Fair – Philadelphia Convention Center, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. on Sept. 19.