President Nate introduced today’s speaker, Dr. Joe Myers, an optometrist with University Health Services at the U of M Kellogg Health Center and co-founder of the Eye Health Institute. Joe’s name was mentioned to us as a possible speaker by DG Rick Caron. We are so glad he was able to share with us the work he and the U of M have been doing to address eye health in Jamacia.
In 1996, Myers, alongside an eye-care team including Dr. Richard Cross, traveled to Jamaica to conduct vision screenings and provide glasses for those in underserved communities. With ancestry tracing back to Jamaica, both doctors desired to return to help. They were met by a large need for ocular care.
In 2001, Joe and Dr. Cross founded the Eye Health Institute (EHI), a nonprofit clinic that aims to provide comprehensive quality eye care and ocular health services to the people of Jamaica. He received his optometric degree from the Ferris State College of Optometry, now the Michigan College of Optometry. He came to U-M more than 25 years ago and is still enjoying his position at UHS in addition to working with the clinic.
Joe showed a series of slides of the eye clinics (shown at right) consisting of pre-constructed walls that made into clinic spaces and erected on cement slabs of various sizes.
Joe said he remains active with EHI and continues to visit Jamaica with a large group, spending two to three weeks working at the clinic and overseeing pod installation. He describes EHI as being one of the best-equipped clinics in Jamaica thanks to donations, with advanced technology such as electronic charting, surgeons on staff who can perform cataract surgery, and the ability to facilitate the best they can for the government to provide glaucoma medications. On a day when the clinic is conducting eye exams, doctors may see 40-50 patients, and when conducting cataract screenings, they may see as many as 70-100. In several cases, doctors have saved lives by finding tumors.
Thank You Note – Prez Nate read a letter from Crime Stoppers thanking us for our recent contribution.
Lenawee Humane Society – Remember to go to the Humane Society’s Facebook page and you can click on the link to Amazon.com and purchase supplies for the organization that they desperately need to assist them in caring with stray dogs they have taken in recently.
Dues are Due – All dues are due by the end of January. Checks do not need to be e-mailed but simply dropped off to her at a meeting or to Secretary Allen.
Neighbors of Hope – Kathy Williams reported that the women’s’ & children transition housing using the former Herrick Manor in Tecumseh is closer to becoming a reality as the Tecumseh City Council approved moving forward. Continue to keep this group in their prayers.
DATES TO REMEMBER - JANUARY – Vocational Service Month
January 25 – Vocational Lunches – This year’s sole location will be Gleaners. We would like to thank Jesse Pizana from D & P Communication and Luke from the Sam Beauford Workshop who offered to host but all those who signed up were asked to go to Gleaners who is providing all lunches.
January 26 - The Great Pasty Project – A number of members have signed up to help members from the Morning Club prepare pasties at the First United Methodist Church on January 26th. There will be 2 shifts: 8am-10am and 10am to 12 noon. A sign-up sheet was passed around. Those walking will gather at the Citizen’s Gas Blue Flame Room.
January 26 – Ribbon Cutting at new Child Advocacy Center – An open house is scheduled for Friday, January 26th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 122 S. Broad Street. The official ribbon-cutting will begin at 4:30pm. Hope we can have a large turnout of Rotary members since we contributed financial assistance as well as elbow grease towards this important effort.
January 27 – Morning Club’s Annual Celebrity Wait – At the Lenawee Country Club.
February 9 – Annual Walk for Warmth – REMEMBER: It will begin at 1:30pm with registration. Patty reminded members to post the flyers she passed out last week. Pledges and donations are welcome (Checks to be made out to: Community Action Agency). Patty said that those who will be walking will be done within a half hours’ time. All of the money raised, she said, stays in Lenawee County as it will go the Community Action Agency!
February 22 – The Art of Mingling – More info coming.
February 22 – Meet the Governor-Elect – This event will be hosted by the Southgate Rotary Club at noon and your opportunity meet next year’s DG, Paul Sincock. Please let President Nate know if you would be interested in attending.
Upcoming Club Program Presentations
Jan 25 - Vocational Service Day (NO REGULAR MEETING AT THE COUNTRY CLUB) Feb 1 - Michael Neal-professor from Adrian College Feb 9 - Anne Sherman, Hospice of Lenawee Feb 16 - Chuck and Nate follow up on strategic plan Feb 22 - Melissa Growden from Siena Heights University - Meet & Greet
GUESTS: Jr Rotarians Lauren King and Katie Whaley who introduced their replacements Abby and Simon also from AHS; Patti Ellerholz who is joining the club as the club approved her membership; former member Kathryn Sala who is also going to return as a member of our club!
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President Nate introduced today’s speaker, Dr. Joe Myers, an optometrist with University Health Services at the U of M Kellogg Health Center and co-founder of the Eye Health Institute. Joe’s name was mentioned to us as a possible speaker by DG Rick Caron. We are so glad he was able to share with us the work he and the U of M have been doing to address eye health in Jamacia.
He received his optometric degree from the Ferris State College of Optometry, now the Michigan College of Optometry. He came to U-M more than 25 years ago and is still enjoying his position at UHS in addition to working with the clinic.
