HISTORY
Screening Eyes Early is modeled after the pediatric vision screening program developed in the Tennessee Lions Eye Center Outreach Program under the guidance of Dr. Sean Donahue at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee during the late 1990's. Lions Clubs International Foundation was interested in making the vision screening program a model for Lions Clubs.
LionsSEE makes its way to New York...
Blythedale Childrens Hospital in Valhalla NY is dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, care and treatment of children with complex medical and rehabilitative needs and is a community resource for children with a variety of medical concerns. Personnel at Blythedale had a great deal of experience in evaluating children's vision. Together, LCIF, District 20-R1 Lions and Blythedale Children's Hospital formed a collaborative effort to establish a screening program to service the needs of children in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties.
Lions Screening Eyes Early at Blythedale began with LCIF awarded Core4 program funds, contributions and volunteer power from the Clubs of District 20-R1, Blythedale's commitment of space and office support along with the services of Barbara Ladenheim, PhD as Director of the program under the guidance of Dr. Joelle Mast, Blythedaleís Chief Medical Officer. SPIKE the Lion, drawn by a local high school student, became the mascot of the program. Lions SEE at Blythedale blossomed; between the first session in March 2004 and the last in March 2007, Lion volunteers screened more than 5400 children and 543 were referred for treatment. Lions SEE at Blythedale was a great success, and the Lions were eager to broaden the effort. Unfortunately, other commitments prevented Blythedale from housing a state wide vision screening project and a decision was made to move Lions SEE to Buffalo.
Lions SEE at Blythedale laid the groundwork for the current multiple district New York State project - LionsSEE, Inc. based at the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute in Buffalo. LionsSEE, Inc. runs under the medical guidance of Dr. James Reynolds and is managed by a Board of Directors composed of Lions representing districts throughout of New York State. LionsSEE, Inc. carries on the Lions enthusiasm and mission:
To decrease childhood blindness through early detection and treatment of the most common vision disorders that cause Amblyopia; insuring that all children of New York State will be able to SEE their future
Each step of the way, no matter where a program is based, the importance of providing vision services to children has immeasurable rewards!
LionsSEE makes its way to New York...
Blythedale Childrens Hospital in Valhalla NY is dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, care and treatment of children with complex medical and rehabilitative needs and is a community resource for children with a variety of medical concerns. Personnel at Blythedale had a great deal of experience in evaluating children's vision. Together, LCIF, District 20-R1 Lions and Blythedale Children's Hospital formed a collaborative effort to establish a screening program to service the needs of children in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties.
Lions Screening Eyes Early at Blythedale began with LCIF awarded Core4 program funds, contributions and volunteer power from the Clubs of District 20-R1, Blythedale's commitment of space and office support along with the services of Barbara Ladenheim, PhD as Director of the program under the guidance of Dr. Joelle Mast, Blythedaleís Chief Medical Officer. SPIKE the Lion, drawn by a local high school student, became the mascot of the program. Lions SEE at Blythedale blossomed; between the first session in March 2004 and the last in March 2007, Lion volunteers screened more than 5400 children and 543 were referred for treatment. Lions SEE at Blythedale was a great success, and the Lions were eager to broaden the effort. Unfortunately, other commitments prevented Blythedale from housing a state wide vision screening project and a decision was made to move Lions SEE to Buffalo.
Lions SEE at Blythedale laid the groundwork for the current multiple district New York State project - LionsSEE, Inc. based at the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute in Buffalo. LionsSEE, Inc. runs under the medical guidance of Dr. James Reynolds and is managed by a Board of Directors composed of Lions representing districts throughout of New York State. LionsSEE, Inc. carries on the Lions enthusiasm and mission:
To decrease childhood blindness through early detection and treatment of the most common vision disorders that cause Amblyopia; insuring that all children of New York State will be able to SEE their future
Each step of the way, no matter where a program is based, the importance of providing vision services to children has immeasurable rewards!
