Access to vision and eye care remains one of the greatest unmet health needs in the United States. Community health centers are uniquely positioned to improve access to these services, but in 2023, less than 3% of the 31.5 million patients accessed vision services. Unfortunately, many community health centers seeking to establish or expand eye clinics experience barriers recruiting eye care providers due to provider shortages and competition with other practice settings. Once hired, many early-career providers find themselves quickly thrust into a leadership role without the support they need to flourish. As part of our ongoing Eye Health & Vision Care program, ACU recently held a two-part webinar series to educate community health center leaders and optometrists about strategies to recruit and retain a thriving eye care workforce.
Educating CHC Leaders Through Optometry School Partnerships
Part One educated community health center leaders on optometry training programs and strategies to engage optometry schools in recruiting eye care providers. Dr. Amy Moy from the New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, MA and Dr. Christine T. Pham from the Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry, in Pomona, CA shared how their respective training programs partner with community health centers to provide crucial vision services to their patient populations, and train students and residents.
Webinar Faculty
Amy Moy, OD, FAAO, FNAP
Senior Director, Community Health Health Initiatives and Optometric Compliance
Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry
Attending Optometrist, Martha Eliot Health Center
New England College of Optometry
Christine T. Pham, OD, FAAO
Assistant Professor of Methods and Procedures
Attending Optometrist, ChapCARE by AltaMed
Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
From Optometrists to CHC Leaders
Part Two educated optometrists on the skills and knowledge needed to become community health center leaders. In this panel discussion, 4 community health center optometry directors shared insight into the skills and competencies needed to grow an eye clinic and considerations for growing and retaining a team.
Webinar Faculty
Ashley Burns, OD
Director of Optometry
Coastal Family Health Center
Debi Sarma, OD
Director of Eye Care Services
Codman Square Health Center
Derek Williams, OD
Director of Vision Services
Great Lakes Bay Health Center
Meagan Baker, OD, FAAO
Director of Vision Services
Cherry Health
Additional Resources
- You can also find more information about ACU’s eye health and vision programming on our website or by contacting ACU’s Program Director, Luke Ertle, at lertle@clinicians.org.
- Interested in networking with others interested in community-based optometry? Join the FQHC and Community Optometry Facebook group.
- ACU offers free eye care provider job postings on its career center for all FQHCs and look-alikes. For more information, contact ACU’s Program Director, Luke Ertle, at lertle@clinicians.org.
This webinar series was made possible by the generous support of Centene.
