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Press Release Archives

Published in Tested
Written by Jeff Chou Friday, December 24, 2010
Press Release Archives

April 30, 2008
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY TO CONSTRUCT NEW LEARNING CENTER

APRIL 14, 2008
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY APPOINTS NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER

DECEMBER 19, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY LAUNCHS VISITING PROFESSOR PROGRAM

December 13, 2007
ICO Professor Emeritus Dr. Alfred A. Rosenbloom, Jr. Selected VOSH/International’s
Humanitarian of the Year


November 16, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY ANNOUNCES NEW ALUMNI COUNCIL OFFICERS

November 8, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY DOCTORS RECEIVE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRISTS IN VISION DEVELOPMENT AWARD

November 2, 2007
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO, www.ico.edu) today announced the opening of a 625 square-foot suite dedicated to clinical research initiatives.

October 25, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY HELPS DEFINE PROFESSIONALISM IN EYECARE AT ILLINOIS OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION’S 2007 AWARDS CEREMONY AND CONVENTION

SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY OPTOMETRIST RECEIVES NEI CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD, NIH GRANT TOTALING OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS

September 10, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2007 ALUMNI AWARDS


August 13, 2007
DR. KENT DAUM NAMED VICE PRESIDENT AND DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OF THE ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

JUNE 4, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY’S JANICE SCHARRE HONORED WITH FIRST ANNUAL DR. JOSEPH L. HENRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

May 17, 2007
ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY’S COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN OPTOMETRISTS


 

Press Releases

Illinois Eye Institute delivers donated glasses to 95-year old Chicago woman
in time for Obama inauguration

January 27, 2009 (CHICAGO)— With the Obama inauguration fast approaching, Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) student and Chatham native Bethany Ward joined Vincent Brandys, O.D. of the Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) to deliver donated glasses to a patient in need. Georgia Thomas, a 95-year old woman from Englewood, graciously accepted the donated glasses in time to watch the historic inauguration of Barack Obama.

"It was an honor to be able to help Mrs. Thomas, who has seen so much in her life, witness one of the biggest moments in world history,” said Bethany Ward, who will graduate from ICO in May.

Recently, Thomas’ daughter, a patient of the IEI, reached out to the eye center to find out if an optometrist would consider a house call for her 95 year-old mother. The daughter explained that her mother was immobile and needed an eye exam.

“While this was a unique situation, we were happy to get involved and help,” said IEI Director of Professional and Governmental Relations Dr. Vincent Brandys.

When asked how this type of service was made possible, Dr. Brandys pointed to partnerships and the importance of giving back to the community as explanation for ensuring that someone in need received the appropriate care. The IEI was able to partner with local optometrist Keith Lavallee, O.D., an alumnus of the Illinois College of Optometry, who visited Ms. Thomas in the comfort of her own home to conduct an eye exam. At the conclusion of the donated eye exam, Dr. Lavallee determined that Thomas would benefit from a new prescription. Dr. Lavallee donated the frames and the IEI was able to donate the lenses due to funding that State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3) helped secure for the IEI’s clinical programs.

For more information about the Illinois Eye Institute, visit www.illinoiseyeinstitute.com.

About the Illinois Eye Institute
The Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is a multi-specialty eye center primarily serving patients from the Chicago metropolitan region. With nearly 90,000 patient visits each year, the IEI is one of the largest providers of vision and eye care services in the United States. The IEI is also the onsite clinical training facility of the Illinois College of Optometry and is affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Chicago and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Press Releases

Illinois Eye Institute will dedicate Visual Electrophysiology suite and honor State Senator Mattie Hunter

February 12, 2009 (CHICAGO)— The Illinois Eye Institute, the clinical division of the Illinois College of Optometry, is now home to a state-of-the-art Visual Electrophysiology Service, made possible in part through the generous support of Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago, 3rd District). Senator Hunter will be honored for her support of the advancement of the Illinois Eye Institute on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. as the Visual Electrophysiology suite is dedicated.

Visual Electrophysiology provides sophisticated visual testing as a means of evaluating the electrical activity in the retina and visual cortex. This technology also gives optometrists the opportunity to detect and diagnose inherited eye diseases, which can be potentially devastating.

“Hereditary diseases affect people of all ages and the more than 90,000 patients that we see each year are the ones really benefitting from this technology,” said Illinois Eye Institute Vice President for Patient Care Services and Executive Director Leonard Messner, O.D. “Senator Hunter has been very supportive of the Illinois Eye Institute and as a result, we are able to enhance patient care and better serve the Chicago community.”

The most common clinical tests performed as part of the Electrophysiology Service are electroretinograms (ERG), electrooculograms (EOG), and visual evoked potentials (VEP). These types of tests measure performance of electrical impulses in the eye and are often the only means of diagnosing hereditary eye disease such as retinitis pigmentosa. In addition, they can also be used to determine visual potential in infants and non-verbal adults and with neurologic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, to aid in the diagnosis of the condition.

“From an education standpoint, it is important that our students are exposed to this technology. The diseases that we can detect can be devastating and the students need to be able to recognize them and make the proper referrals,” said Illinois Eye Institute Electrophysiology Service Coordinator Mary Flynn Roberts, O.D., F.A.A.O.  “We feel very fortunate to be able to serve our patients with this superior technology.”

"The Illinois Eye Institute has always been in the forefront of the medical community in advancements made in eye care, education and research,” said Senator Hunter.  "This advanced and sophisticated method of testing for potentially devastating eye problems and hereditary diseases is remarkable. As a Senator of the Third District and, on behalf of the vast number of people who will benefit from the addition of the Visual Electrophysiology suite, I am pleased to partner with this prestigious Institute.  I am honored to be recognized by this organization and look forward to working with the Institute as it strives to further develop advanced eye care treatment.”

For more information about the Illinois Eye Institute, visit www.illinoiseyeinstitute.com.

About the Illinois Eye Institute
The Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is a multi-specialty eye center primarily serving patients from the Chicago metropolitan region. With more than 90,000 patient visits each year, the IEI is one of the largest providers of vision and eye care services in the United States. The IEI is also the onsite clinical training facility of the Illinois College of Optometry and is affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Chicago and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Press Releases

Cash-strapped Optometry Students Give Back in a Big Way

Illinois College of Optometry students receive a Jenzabar Foundation grant
to impact underserved communities around the world

February 13, 2009 (CHICAGO)— Even in this uncertain economy, Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) students are opening their hearts and wallets to volunteer for domestic and global humanitarian missions through Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH). These missions to underdeveloped communities around the world provide life-changing care for thousands of people in need and allow students to participate in restoring or improving vision while also exposing them to different cultures and diverse eye conditions. The cost of participation limits the number of students who can get involved, but The Jenzabar Foundation announces today that it will award a grant to aid ICO’s student chapter of SVOSH in an effort to subsidize the cost and support the humanitarian work of ICO students.

“When you think about it, here are students that are thousands and thousands of dollars in debt making a decision to volunteer and put together whatever resources they can to join a medical mission trip,” said ICO-SVOSH President Michelle Crist. “We feel very fortunate to receive this grant from The Jenzabar Foundation as it will allow more students to participate in an experience that not only broadens our clinical knowledge, but will also carry over to when we are practicing optometrists.”

This weekend, 25 ICO students will depart for Honduras, the last of nine mission trips for the 2008-2009 academic year. With limited resources and equipment, this group of students will join practicing optometrists and other health care professionals to perform eye/health examinations on an expected 4,000 patients over four days of clinic. The students will not be working in ideal conditions or have state-of-the-art technology available to them. In fact, Crist says that in the past, they have had to use black trash bags to cover up the windows in order to provide more appropriate lighting to conduct the exams. Prior to the mission, students gathered gently used or new glasses, checked and labeled the prescription powers, and prepared the glasses for distribution to patients in Honduras.

“One of our key principles is to extend the role of the Illinois College of Optometry through community service,” said Illinois College of Optometry President Arol Augsburger, O.D. “I am proud to see our student volunteers bring much needed eye care to people in need here in the Chicagoland community, as well as around the world.”

Typically, students become a member of SVOSH their first year and work toward a mission, which they can go on during their third professional year. From fundraising to personal appeals to family and friends, students do what they can to raise the necessary funds to participate in a mission trip. The cost per student can range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the location. Students who complete 40 service hours for ICO-SVOSH prior to their trip will receive $500 from The Jenzabar Foundation grant to offset their expenses. The grant will impact mission trips for both the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years, making it possible for more students to volunteer and provide service to thousands of people in need.

“The Jenzabar Foundation recognizes and supports the good works and humanitarian efforts serving others across the global community,” said Robert A. Maginn, Chairman of the Jenzabar Foundation and CEO and Chairman of the Board of Jenzabar, Inc. “Illinois College of Optometry students are certainly deserving of this grant to help them provide better vision to individuals less fortunate and we are proud to assist ICO with these services.”

Editor’s Note: Images available upon request

About the Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world’s leading urban optometric institutions. Since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, ICO has offered aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession alike. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

About The Jenzabar Foundation
Founded by Jenzabar, Inc., The Foundation issues grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations with similarly aligned missions, and helps promote the activities of grant recipients within their communities and on a global level. Foundation grants are managed by the Foundation itself or through partner organizations. For more information about The Jenzabar Foundation, visit www.thejenzabarfoundation.org.

Press Releases

Illinois College of Optometry announces new office and leadership advancements

March 6, 2008 (CHICAGO)—The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) today announces the creation of an integrated and robust Student, Alumni and College Development Office. In addition to a newly created service unit, ICO also announces the appointments of Mark Colip, O.D. to Vice President for Student, Alumni and College Development and Vincent Brandys, O.D. to Senior Director for Government Relations and Advancement.

The new Student, Alumni and College Development Office combines key services into a more centralized service unit to increase operating efficiency and provide customer service to ICO students, alumni and supporters. As a result, these constituents can expect convenient access to personal and professional resources, increased networking opportunities and enhanced support for programs and services that impact ICO’s mission to provide excellence in optometric clinical education.

“I firmly believe that our faculty and staff are central to what sets ICO apart, so we took advantage of some recent opportunities to really look at the way we were conducting business,” said Illinois College of Optometry President Arol Augsburger, O.D.  “We made a decision not to fill a recently vacated senior leadership position and instead have been able to promote several staff members and create new support staff positions—a real luxury given the uncertain economy.”

As the Vice President for Student, Alumni and College Development, Dr. Colip will leverage 16 years of experience with ICO to lead a multi-faceted service unit to further extend student, alumni, and development relations. He will also draw on his experience in staff management and development to elevate staff to take on new roles and responsibilities as part of a new staffing model. Dr. Colip’s extensive background and expertise encompassing student affairs, fundraising and teaching showcase his ability to act as a student advocate and manage and cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni and supporters for the benefit of ICO. As a graduate of ICO and an active member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, American Optometric Association, and Illinois Optometric Association, Dr. Colip will continue to advance the field of optometry through his new role at ICO.

With the recent establishment of the Illinois Eye Institute Foundation, Dr. Brandys will serve as the fundraising liaison for both the Illinois Eye Institute and its foundation. One of Dr. Brandys first responsibilities as the Senior Director for Government Relations and Advancement is to oversee the fundraising effort of the Illinois Eye Institute Foundation’s Inaugural Gala, which will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009. He will also continue connecting with legislators for support of the Illinois Eye Institute’s mission and programs. Also a graduate of ICO, Dr. Brandys is a past president of the Illinois Optometric Association (IOA) and the recipient of the IOA's 2008 Keyperson of the Year award for his legislative and lobbying efforts on behalf of optometry.

Press Releases

Local Optometry College to Host Graduation and First-Ever “Eye” Ball
Illinois College of Optometry students to receive graduate degrees
and Illinois Eye Institute to offer gala

WHO & WHAT: Illinois College of Optometry, the largest and oldest educational institution dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists in the U.S., is pleased to announce the graduation of 148 of its students.

Saturday, Illinois College of Optometry representatives, students and family members will celebrate students’ four-year quest to become optometrists with a ceremony featuring keynote speaker Peter H. Kehoe, O.D., an ICO alum and president of the American Optometric Association, who currently practices in Galesburg, Illinois.

The celebration will continue Saturday evening with the first-ever “Eye” Ball Gala hosted by the Illinois Eye Institute Foundation at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. More than 300 people will enjoy dinner, dancing and the opportunity to bid on fantastic auction items. NBC-5’s Lauren Jiggetts will be the host of the event and Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, will receive the “Visionary Award” for his work with student vision and learning issues in three major U.S. cities.

WHEN: Commencement
11 a.m., Saturday, May 16
Eye Ball Gala
7 p.m., Saturday, May 16
WHERE: Commencement
University of Chicago Campus
Rockefeller Chapel
5850 S. Woodlawn Ave.

Eye Ball Gala
Ritz-Carlton Chicago
Grand Ballroom, 12th Floor
160 E. Pearson St.
Chicago, Ill.

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About the Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world’s leading urban optometric institutions. Since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, ICO has offered aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession alike. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

About the Illinois Eye Institute
Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is the clinical division of the Illinois College of Optometry. IEI is a nonprofit, multi-specialty eye center that provides comprehensive eye care to individuals of all ages from the Chicago area and beyond, regardless of their financial status. It is designed and staffed to meet general ocular health and visual needs and provide highly specialized optical services. The IEI has over 90,000 visits annually from a largely low-income, medically underserved patient population and provides charitable services and outreach programs to assist people in need, through its foundation. For more information about the Illinois Eye Institute, visit www.illinoiseyeinstitute.com.

Press Releases

American Optometric Association President Welcomes Illinois College of Optometry Graduates to Profession

Dr. Peter Kehoe delivers commencement speech to Illinois College of Optometry graduates

May 20, 2009 (CHICAGO) — Dr. Peter Kehoe, president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), encouraged the 148 graduates of the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) to make a difference locally and nationally by providing excellent care and getting involved in optometric associations. Dr. Kehoe, an ICO alum who currently practices in Galesburg, Illinois, spoke at the May 16, 2009, graduation ceremony and was awarded the Doctor of Science in Optometry D.O.S..

“Optometry matters, we matter, we change and we save lives,” said Dr. Kehoe, a 1984 graduate of ICO. “We make a difference, and we are an incredible profession in health care where patient outcomes are everything…and the future of health care sways in the balance. When we show up in Washington D.C. to sit at the discussion table for Medicare and Medicaid, it matters.”

As the 2008-2009 president of the AOA, Dr. Kehoe has strengthened optometrists’ position in the public health care arena. He has focused on generating greater public awareness of optometry’s role in preventing vision loss and positioning optometry as the primary eye care provider within the U.S. health care system. He also has challenged every AOA optometrist to defend and safeguard the profession for the public health, and to continue developing tools aimed at building doctor of optometry entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. He extended this challenge to the ICO graduates, urging them all to become “optocrats.”

“‘Optocrats’ are neither Republican nor Democrat,” Dr. Kehoe said. “We are doctors of optometry on the front line of eye and vision care who understand that what is good for the patient is good for the profession; and what’s good for the profession is good for the industry; and what’s good for the industry is good for the globe. We work hard to ensure that patient-centric eye health care will prevail.”

Also in attendance were former ICO presidents Drs. Alfred Rosenbloom and Charles Mullen, Illinois Optometric Association President and ICO alum Dr. Robert Blumthal and former AOA President and ICO alum Dr. Vic Connors, who had the honor of “hooding” his son during the ceremony.

The class of 2009 represented 23 states and nine Canadian provinces and was 66 percent female. Twenty percent of the class graduated with high honors and 61 scholarships and awards amounting to $250,000 were recognized during the ceremony.

About the Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world’s leading urban optometric institutions. Since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, ICO has offered aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession alike. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

Press Releases

Illinois College of Optometry Faculty Receive Inaugural Award
Dr. Janice McMahon, Dr. Steve Beckerman awarded Editor’s Commendation
for Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association

June 23, 2009 (CHICAGO) — Two Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) professors – Dr. Janice McMahon and Dr. Steve Beckerman – received the inaugural Editor’s Commendation for Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association. The award was for their paper titled, “Testing safety eyewear: How frame and lens design affect lens retention.”

“Our faculty members have a long track record of contributing to the body of optometric knowledge through scholarly activity,” said Arol Augsburger, O.D., president of ICO. “Professors McMahon and Beckerman have poured their years of experience into researching and writing this award-winning paper.”

The aim of the study was to determine the role that frame and lens design play in lens retention during high-impact testing of safety eyewear that advertises conformance to the performance-based standard. The study found that among the sample of safety spectacles, failure from high-mass impact resistance testing rarely occurred. To view the complete study, visit www.optometryjaoa.com.

“This paper was the most downloaded paper from Optometry’s Web site last year,” said Paul Freeman, O.D., editor of Optometry. “I appreciate the hard work and diligence doctors McMahon and Beckerman contributed to bringing the research conclusions in this paper to the profession.”

Dr. McMahon completed a Primary Care Residency at the ICO in 1999 and remained as a full-time faculty member. She works in the primary care setting. She also participates in labs, lectures, pediatric outreach, external sites and the residency program.

Dr. Beckerman maintains a solo optometric practice in Glenview, Ill. and is a part-time faculty member of the ICO in the areas of primary care, binocular vision/pediatrics and sports vision. He has authored nine peer-reviewed papers and more than 20 peer-reviewed abstracts in the areas of binocular vision, sports vision and optics.

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About the Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world’s leading urban optometric institutions. Since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, ICO has offered aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession alike. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

Press Releases

Former Illinois College of Optometry President Selected as
2009 Inductee to National Optometry Hall of Fame

Dr. Charles Mullen Recognized for Contributions to the Profession

June 24, 2009 (CHICAGO) — Former Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) president Dr. Charles Mullen will be inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame in recognition of his many significant additions to the profession. Dr. Mullen will be inducted the evening of Friday, June 26, 2009, in Washington, D.C., at Optometry’s Meeting®, the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association.

“The ICO community is proud of Dr. Mullen and congratulates him on his deserved induction into the Optometry Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Arol Augsburger, president of ICO. “We’re pleased to see Dr. Mullen recognized for his longtime commitment and many advances to the eye care community.” Dr. Mullen served as president of ICO from 1996 to 2002.

Dr. Mullen will join 46 other individuals who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception. The mission of the Optometry Hall of Fame is to recognize distinguished men and women who have made exceptional and enduring lifetime contributions to the optometry profession.

Building institutions of quality education, forming national healthcare policy and strengthening urban communities through quality optometric and ophthalmic care are a few of Dr. Mullen’s notable contributions to the optometry profession.

Dr. Mullen has planned and redesigned the profession for the past 40 years. From 1970 to 1976, he worked in the president’s office at The New England College of Optometry as special assistant for clinical development. Dr. Mullen next went on to serve as executive director of the Eye Institute at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry from 1976 to 1990. He then became the director of the Optometry Service for the Department of Veteran Affairs in Washington, D.C. from 1990 to 1996, until he became president of the Illinois College of Optometry.

An instrumental figure in moving optometry to the forefront of primary eye care, Dr. Mullen understood that optometry and ophthalmology were complementary and worked to extend care to underserved populations.

“ICO remains grateful to Dr. Mullen for his leadership and for helping to make ICO the thriving, well-respected institution that it is today,” said Dr. Augsburger. “Very few people receive this honor and we all share in congratulating Dr. Mullen.”

About the Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world’s leading urban optometric institutions. Since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, ICO has offered aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession alike. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

Press Releases

Illinois Eye Institute Hosts First-Ever “Eye Ball” Gala

June 24, 2009 (CHICAGO) — The Foundation of the Illinois Eye Institute (IEI), the clinical division of the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), hosted the first-ever “Eye Ball” gala in combination with ICO’s May 16, 2009, graduation.

More than 300 people enjoyed dinner, dancing and the opportunity to bid on auction items at the Ritz Carlton Chicago. Lauren Jiggetts of NBC-5, Chicago’s news affiliate, hosted the event and Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, received the “Visionary Award” for his work with student vision and learning issues in three major U.S. cities.

“We’re pleased that our first-ever gala was a success,” said Dr. Vincent Brandys, senior director of governmental relations and advancement for IEI. “The gala provided an opportunity for the IEI Foundation to gain exposure among new audiences and showcase the many charitable programs we offer to current and prospective donors.”

Donors contributed to the gala by purchasing tickets, participating in the silent and live auctions and buying raffle tickets. The gala also provided the opportunity for IEI guests and staff to network with NBC’s Lauren Jiggetts, her father and former Chicago Bears player Dan Jiggetts, and Paul Vallas. All three are committed to helping IEI next year to ensure the gala remains a success.

“The IEI Foundation is dedicated to finding new ways to broaden its reach and help a greater number of people through the charitable programs it provides,” said Dr. Brandys. “The ‘Eye’ Ball gala is one way we will continue to attract new audiences and additional donors to the Foundation.”

# # #

About the Illinois Eye Institute
Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is the clinical division of the Illinois College of Optometry. IEI is a nonprofit, multi-specialty eye center that provides comprehensive eye care to individuals of all ages from the Chicago area and beyond, regardless of their financial status. It is designed and staffed to meet general ocular health and visual needs and provide highly specialized optical services. The IEI has over 90,000 visits annually from a largely low-income, medically underserved patient population and provides charitable services and outreach programs to assist people in need, through its foundation. For more information about the Illinois Eye Institute, visit www.illinoiseyeinstitute.com.

About the Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world’s leading urban optometric institutions. Since its founding in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, ICO has offered aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will advocate for patients and the profession alike. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

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