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This was no ordinary medical checkup, which many children approach withtrepidation. The setting for this event, co-sponsored by the Patriots and theBoys and Girls Clubs of Boston, was a familiar location well loved by the kids-- the Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chelsea, MA -- and "the atmosphere at theevent was amazing," according to Michelle Perez, the Jordan Center's directorof operations.
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"The children were excited, and the representatives from Davis Vision'sCambridge Eye Doctors and the Patriots were enthusiastic and very engaged withthe children who participated. Everyone really enjoyed the day," said Perez.Tom Rosa, Davis Vision's senior vice president, Store Operations andMarketing, agreed, adding, "All of our associates were thrilled to participatein such a great event."
Good vision is essential for children's physical and intellectualdevelopment and can be ensured only through regular comprehensive eyeexaminations. "A comprehensive eye examination can diagnose not only therefractive errors that may impede a child's development, but also suchchildhood eye disorders as amblyopia, which can cause irreversible vision lossif it is not treated," said Joseph Carlomusto, Davis Vision's president andchief executive officer. "Poor vision affects academic performance; however,many families cannot afford to have their children examined by an eye careprofessional."
To address these needs, "Davis Vision reaches out regularly to thecommunities that we serve, to do our part to help alleviate these problems,"added Laura Dyer, Davis Vision's assistant vice president, Strategic Eventsand Community Relations.
The Davis Vision evaluation was the first eye screening that many of theattending children had ever experienced, and 46 of them were in need ofcorrective eyeglasses and follow-up care. Every child who did not pass thevision screening is being scheduled for a free follow-up eye examination andfree prescription eyeglasses at a local Cambridge Eye Doctors office.
"Unfortunately, many of these kids may not have received the needed visioncorrection in a timely manner if it hadn't been for the screening," said Rosa."Our hats are off to the Jordan Boys and Girls Club organization for helpingto make these positive outcomes a reality."
"We strive to be a valuable community resource, and relish any opportunityto provide our members with medical care and other needed services," said JoshKraft, executive director for the Jordan Boys and Girls Club.
Davis Vision has a long history of involvement in local community outreachprograms. To follow the great success of its vision screening clinicssponsored throughout 2007, the company has scheduled a full slate of clinicsfor 2008. Screenings are planned for Buffalo, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Harrisburg,PA; Carlisle, PA; and Houston, TX, as well as various YMCA locationsnationally. More screening clinics will be added to the 2008 schedule in themonths ahead.
About Davis Vision
Davis Vision, Inc. currently serves more than 55 million membersnationally and was the first vision care preferred provider organization toreceive accreditation from The Joint Commission during its PPO accreditationprogram. Davis Vision's provider network-credentialing program has beencertified by the NCQA.
The company administers vision services through an extensive network ofnearly 45,000 participating providers, including ophthalmolog
