VOSH/International Board at Annual Meeting, Boston, Ma Oct.15, 2011
VOSH/INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
| ? | VOSH/International (V/I) established in 1971 is a non-governmental, non sectarian, apolitical organization dedicated to the provision of eye and vision care services for those who are below poverty level and without access to local eye care. We may work with religious or government groups that are committed to tolerance. |
| ? | VOSH/International is comprised of an elected Board and of appointees representing 32 regional chapters and 29 student chapters in the United States, Canada, Honduras, India, Africa, South America and the Netherlands. Chapter members and its partners are optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, and lay volunteers. On December 6, 2001 VOSH/International signed a declaration with the World Council of Optometry and the World Health Organization to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. Each year VOSH Chapters average between 80 and 90 missions serving in excess of 100,000 people. |
| ? | VOSH set up clinics in disaster areas including Bosnia, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and India, as well as treating hurricane and oil spill victims in Louisiana, Houston and New Orleans. |
| ? | VOSH recognizes the importance of sustainability, and has helped establish permanent eye clinics in Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti, Mexico and Peru. |
| ? | VOSH programs provide eyeglasses, treat eye disease and refer/perform eye surgery.The mission and vision of VOSH as an organization has evolved over the years, now including short-term missions, establishment of permanent clinics, educational activities, research, and partnering with other NGOs in public service projects. Nicaragua has been chosen as an area of special interest for advancement of vision care over the coming years, as it is one of the most underserved areas in Latin America. Part of this effort is supported by a generous grant from Walman Optical. |
| ? | VOSH projects draw experts from fields important to each project. These experts volunteer their time and knowledge to projects, developing educational modules, presenting continuing education courses, providing hands-on training in specialty areas, and examining patients. |
| ? | VOSH's greatest strength is its membership. Many eye care educators, researchers, students and clinicians are chapter members. We also have lay persons who translate and dispense eye glasses. Get involved! Join VOSH International or help us with a monetary contribution. |
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VOSH/International Board of Directors and Officers
October 2012-October 2013 (Alphabetically) Michael K. De Rosier, OD Director Dr. De Rosier received a BS in General Science in 1981 from Oregon State University and a BS in Visual Science in 1981 from Pacific University, and a Doctor of Optometry in 1983 from Pacific University College of Optometry. Dr. De Rosier has been in private practice in the state of Washington since 1983. He served as President of the VOSH Northwest chapter from 2004-2009 and is their immediate Past President. Dr. De Rosier has led or participated in 7 VOSH missions in Central America and Samoa. He is a Fellow of VOSH International, currently serves as a Director on the VOSH International Board until 2012. Dr. De Rosier is currently a board member of the Rotary Club of Deer Park, WA and was the President in 1988. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tracy Matchinski, OD, FAAO Director  Dr. Matchinski graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1995 and completed her residency at the William Feinbloom Low Vision Rehabilitation Center of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1996. She splits her time between The Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired and the Low Vision Rehabilitation Services at the Illinois Eye Institute. She has been practicing Low Vision Care for 16 years and has a special interest in pediatric Low Vision Rehabilitation. She is a Low Vision Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry and has lectured both nationally and internationally on Low Vision Rehabilitation. She is a chapter author in the low vision textbook Essentials of Low Vision Practice, and is involved in several research projects including portable electronic magnifiers at the National Eye Institute EP Hemianopic Lens multi-center clinical trial. Dr. Matchinski is currently the Chief of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Service at the Illinois Eye Institute and the Low Vision class coordinator for third year optometry students. She is faculty advisor to SVOSH. She also is active member of the Illinois chapter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, www.vosh-illinois.org. Dr Matchinski can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . David R. McPhillips, OD, F.A.A.O. Vice President  Dr. McPhillips is currently in private practice in Horsham, Pennsylvania and serves as the Director of Eye Care Services to the Genesis Health Systems Geriatric and Rehabilitation Center. Dr. McPhillips received his O.D. from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and a B.S. from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Ursinus College. Dr. McPhillips has served in internships in various areas, including in Hospital-based Optometry in Contact Lenses and Primary Care Optometry. Additionally, Dr. McPhillips is the past President of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and active in the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry, the Pennsylvania Vision Conservation Institute, and the Philadelphia County Optometric Society. He was named Optometrist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and the Philadelphia County Optometric Society on three occasions and has received numerous honors and recognition throughout his career. Dr. McPhillips has authored many publications and lectured extensively, primarily in the area of geriatric and pediatric optometry. Dr. McPhillips is active and served on many committees in the Rotary Club and the Horsham Chamber of Commerce. He has been a member of VOSH since 1987 and is the co-founder of the Pennsylvania and Delaware chapters. He has led or participated in over 30 medical missions. Dr. McPhillips currently serves as President-Elect of VOSH International until 2013 and will be President from 2013-2015. Dr. McPhillips can be contacted at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Clive Miller Director  Clive Miller is the Global CEO with Optometry Giving Sight. He has been with the organization since 2006. He has worked in the not for profit sector for 25 years with high profile health and human rights organizations. He lives in Sydney but spends quality time in the USA each year where he greatly enjoys working with his Denver based colleagues to mobilize support from the Optical community in support of the mission and vision of Optometry Giving Sight. Mr. Miller is MBA qulified and currently serves as a Director on the VOSH International Board. Mr. Miller can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Greg Pearl, OD Immediate Past President Dr. Pearl grew up in rural, upstate New York, attended the University of Oklahoma as Zoology major and received his doctorate from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1983. Dr. Pearl practices in suburban Los Angeles and volunteers two half days per month at the LA Free Clinic. He took his first VOSH mission to Venezuela in 1989 and was so inspired by the experience that he chartered the VOSH/California chapter later that year with several colleagues. He has led or participated on 28 week-long VOSH missions to Venezuela, Costa Rica, El Salvador and mainland Mexico. He also flew forty weekends with the Flying Samaritans to provide optometric service to their eight rural clinics in the Mexican state of Baja Norte and started a non-profit optometric clinic in San Quintin, Baja in 1998. Dr. Pearl continues to enjoy introducing SCCO and Berkeley students to the challenges of humanitarian service on a couple of VOSH missions each year and working with the FUDEM organization in El Salvador that VOSH/California helped create and continues to promote. His greatest interest now is in establishing sustainable eye clinics in other areas of need. He is currently leading the VOSH efforts to develop clinics in Managua, Nicaragua and Tijuana, Mexico. Dr. Pearl also volunteers with RAM about 4-8 days per year. He is the Immediate Past President of VOSH International and will serve in that capacity until 2013. Dr. Pearl can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . C. Ellis Potter, OD, FAAO, FVI President  Dr. Potter, a graduate of the University of Kansas and Southern College of Optometry, is in private practice in Iola, Kansas. As a member of the Kansas Optometric Association, Dr. Potter has served on numerous committees as well as Editor of the Kansas Optometric Journal. He was recognized as Optometrist of the Year in 2006. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomat of the Primary Care Section. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the Primary Care Section. He has been active in his local Rotary club and in 2007-2008 served as District Governor of Rotary District 6110. He is a member of the Rotary Action Group for Avoidable Blindness. In 2008, Dr. Potter and Rotarians from his Iola club formed the Vision Quest International Foundation, whose purpose is the education and alleviation of Refractive Error Blindness. He is President of the Foundation. Dr. Potter is a member VOSH-Kansas, a Fellow of VOSH International and has led or participated in eight VOSH medical missions. Dr. Potter currently serves as the President of VI, commencing 2011, serving until 2013. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . John Spencer, OD Director Dr. Spencer received a BA in Biology and Theology in 1985 from College of St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota. In 1989, he received a Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Spencer was licensed in California, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in the summer of 1989; he has been in a multi-specialty group medical practice with Allina Medical Clinic in West St Paul, Minnesota since 1995. In 1999, Dr. Spencer spent the calendar year at The University of Auckland (New Zealand) as a clinical supervisor and assistant Clinic Director. For the 2002 calendar year, Dr. Spencer returned to The University of Auckland as a clinical supervisor as well as an instructor in Ocular Disease and Ocular Pathology. Dr. Spencer has led or participated in 14 VOSH missions (most of those with VOSH-INTL treasurer Charlie Covington) in Central America, South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Dr. Spencer currently serves as a Director on the VOSH International Board and will serve until 2013. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . James Monroe Vaught, OD Director  Dr. Vaught has been in private practice for over 25 years in Conway, South Carolina. Dr. Vaught attended Furman University, graduating in 1977 with a BS in Chemistry and in 1978 with a MS in Chemistry. He attended the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry and received his Doctor of Optometry in 1983. Dr. Vaught devotes much of his time to political and legislative efforts as it relates to the field of optometry. He has served and held office on numerous national and local committees, including legislative action committees and has worked with many states to expand legislation relating to the practice of optometry. He is currently serving as President Elect for SC Optometric Association for second time. Dr. Vaught is active in local civic clubs, church committees, and local government committees, including providing complimentary eye examinations for needy patients through the Lions Club, Friendship House, InfantSee and Vision USA. He is currently serving on the following AOA Committees; Chair of the Federal Legislative Action Keyperson Committee, Federal Legislative Action Response Committee, and Federal Advocacy Group executive Committee. Dr. Vaught also serves on the American Board of Optometry Executive Committee. Dr. Vaught has participated in 6 Vosh missions. He will serve as a Director on the VOSH International Board until 2012. Dr. Vaught can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Les Walls, OD, MD Director  Dr. Walls has been in optometric education for over 30 years and is an avid supporter of VOSH for students as he feels it is a most valuable service to humanity and an education for the students. He is both an optometrist and a medical doctor but has devoted most of his professional career to optometry. His latest endeavor for a VOSH trip was to Chile where he and the VOSH team saw approximately 1,800 patients in 7 days. He has served on the VOSH International Board of Directors for the past year and is a member of the newly developing VOSH Oklahoma Chapter. Dr. Walls currently serves as a Director on the VOSH International Board and will serve until 2013. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ellen Weiss, OD Director  Dr. Ellen Weiss is a partner at Millard Family Eyecare in Omaha, Nebraska and has a special interest in pediatric optometry. She is a consultant for visually impaired children in seven area school districts, and is a clinical Preceptor for students through the Pennsylvania School of Optometry. Dr. Weiss is the current president of the Heart of America Contact Lens Society, president of Nebraska VOSH, and has participated in fifteen VOSH mission trips. She is past president of the Nebraska Optometric Association, is the founding Clinical Director for Nebraska Special Olympics/Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes, and is past president and an active member of the Millard Lions Club. She can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
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VOSH/International Administrative Officers Dale Cole, OD, FVI Past President, Historian  Dale K. Cole, OD is from Kansas, graduated in 1969 from U of Houston College of Optometry, was stationed at Walter Reed in the army for 2 years as an optometrist and moved to Salina, KS in 1971 where he practiced for 35 years, retiring in 2006. He has been active with VOSH-Kansas since early 1980?s?served at co-chairman of VOSH-Kansas for about 15 years and was VOSH/International President in 2004-2006. He has participated in over 25 VOSH missions. Dr. Cole was honored as the 2008 Optometrist of the Year by Kansas Optometric Association and as the 2006 Optometrist of the Year by the Heart of America Contact Lens Association. Photography has been a big part of his life since the mid-80?s and he just recently published a ?coffee-table? style book of his photography entitled ?Journeys?Around the World??a composite of 18 USA states and 17 foreign countries. The book is dedicated to the many VOSH volunteers that have served the less fortunate around the world. Many of his photos from various VOSH missions can be seen on *Amazon or at his website www.dalecolephotos.com Dr. Cole can be contacted a This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Charles H. Covington, Sr., FVI Treasurer Charles Covington completed a 24-year career as an Auditor with the American Automobile Association in 1997. In 1995, he and fellow Lion John Gehrig went with VOSH Ohio on their first VOSH mission to the Ukraine. From that experience, he and John founded the Florida Chapter of VOSH (now VOSH Southeast Chapter). VOSH Florida was the first Chapter formed by two lay people, a lawyer and an auditor, rather than optometrists, a feat that proved to be quite a challenge for two people not in the profession. In 1996 Charlie led the first VOSH mission with the newly formed Chapter to the Dominican Republic. Today, the Chapter has expanded to cover five States; South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi and is one of the largest, if not the largest, Chapters in VOSH. Since those early days, Mr. Covington has led over 30 missions all over the world. In 1997, he served as a Vice President for VOSH International and currently serves as the Treasurer of VOSH International, a post he has held since 1999. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Todd Fleischer Newsletter Mr. Fleischer is currently the Newsletter Editor for the VOSH International monthly newsletter. He is the Communications Director for the Kansas Optometric Association in Topeka, Kansas and also serves as the Executive Director for Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. Mr. Fleischer?s background is in print communications and he enjoys designing print publications, which he does for both organizations. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . John A. Gehrig, Esq., F.V.I. Legal Counsel  John Gehrig graduated from Harvard University in 1958 and the University of Michigan Law School in 1963, and then practiced law in Cincinnati for 19 years before moving to Florida. Arriving in Florida, he took a Masters in International Law at the University of Miami and then went to work for Orange County, Florida, where he became County Attorney. Mr. Gehrig?s first VOSH trip was with VOSH Ohio in 1995. Upon his return, he and fellow Floridian, Charlie Covington, started VOSH/Florida. Mr. Gehrig served as President of VOSH/Florida for nine years and is still a very active member. Over the last 14 years, Mr. Gehrig has participated in about twenty-five VOSH missions, John served the VOSH International Board as a Vice-President and since 2004, he has assumed the duties of General Counsel to the Board of VOSH International. Mr. Gehrig is also a VOSH Fellow. He is an active Rotarian and an Elder in his family (Presbyterian) church. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ruth S. McAndrews, OD, F.V.I. Past President, Newsletter Co-Editor  Dr. McAndrews is currently in private practice in Davenport, Iowa. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa and a Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Iowa Optometric Association. Dr McAndrews was a recipient of the Iowa Young O.D. of the Year in 1982 and the Iowa O.D. of the Year in 2002. She has also served on the Iowa Board of Optometry Examiners (1988-1994) and the Mississippi Valley Optometric Association (past president). Dr. McAndrews is involved in community service through the Grace Lutheran Church, community band, local business organizations, and the Iowa City Noon Lions Club. She has been involved in VOSH International, serving as its President in 2005-07. Dr. McAndrews is a Fellow of VOSH International. Dr. McAndrews has served as the treasurer and past president of VOSH/Iowa and has participated in over 30 VOSH missions. She is currently the co-editor of the VOSH/International newsletter and can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Natalie C. Venezia, Esq. Secretary  Ms. Venezia is an attorney and practiced in the field of business litigation for 14 years. She was a partner with the law firm of Post, Kirby Noonan and Sweat in San Diego, California, when she retired from the firm in December 1998. She continues to practice law selectively. Ms. Venezia obtained her Jurist Doctorate from the University of San Diego in San Diego, California and her BS degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Community service and volunteerism have always played an important role in Ms. Venezia?s personal and professional life. Since 2001, Ms. Venezia has led or participated in 10 VOSH missions with VOSH Illinois. Since May 2007, Ms. Venezia has served as Board Administrator to VOSH International and is currently the Board Secretary. Since 2002, Ms. Venezia has led or participated in medical missions for Carle Clinic and Operation Rainbow, non-profit organizations whose mission is to provide free reconstructive surgery for children who have cleft lips or cleft palates. She can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Deborah Wright-DeMaderios Annual Meeting Coordinator  Deborah Wright had a successful 25-year career at Hewlett Packard. After retiring from HP, Deborah founded Wright Media to continue her work in event planning, project management and philanthropic work. As a person who was born with extreme myopia, Deborah knows what it is like to have poor vision. When she went on her first VOSH trip in 2002 to Chihuahua Mexico she was "hooked" and wanted to help the VOSH in any way she could. Deborah has been the Trip Coordinator for several VOSH trips and has organized and managed several RA.M. (Remote Area Medical) and CareNow free clinics throughout California. She is also an active member of the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis, Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and is President of the Hermosa Beach Sister Cities Association and on the VOSH California Board of Directors. Ms. Wright can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Harry I. Zeltzer, OD, D.O.S., F.A.A.O., F.V.I., Past President, Executive Director  Dr. Zeltzer is the Executive Director of VOSH International and is its Webmaster. He is also Past President of VOSH International. Dr. Zeltzer serves on the Board of Directors of Friends of ASAPROSAR (Assoc. of Salvadoran Rural Health), is the Co-Founder and Past President of VOSH-ONE (Of New England) and a Life Member of AOA, AAO, and the New England College of Optometry (NECO). Dr. Zeltzer has received numerous honors throughout his career, including Doctor of Ocular Science from NECO, Alumnus of The Year, VOSH/International Lifetime Achievement Award and the Essilor Humanitarian of the Year Award. Dr. Zeltzer also owns the US patents for the ZELTZER X-CHROM Soft Lens for color deficiency. He practiced optometry in Waltham, Mass for 35 years while serving at the US Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Natick Lab. During WW11 he served in the Occupation of Japan. He has led missions in the Americas, Eastern Europe and Africa since 1986. Dr. Zeltzer can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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