Providing free eye care to low-income individuals
With a 29.8% poverty rate, which is double the national median, Madison County, Florida, is one of the economically poorest counties in the state. Folks there struggle to afford the costs of living, including health care. Hospital and physician office closures have increased throughout the country, leaving communities like Madison County with shortages of doctors and healthcare access.
The eye care needs of folks in low-income, low healthcare access areas are not forgotten by Lisa Oliveri, COA, ABOC, NCLE. Lisa is a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant and American Board of Opticianry Certified eye technician with Bay Area Eye Institute, an ophthalmology practice in Tampa, Florida. She has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of Ophthalmology and Optometry. Lisa volunteers her time and skills to several non-profit organizations, including Professional Opticians of Florida (POF).
For nearly 40 years, POF has been working to advance the profession of opticianry in Florida and protect the health and welfare of the public. Lisa is proactive in POF, arranging their partnership with Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps (RAM) to host free clinics throughout the state of Florida. RAM is a non-profit organization that provides free dental, medical and vision care to communities in need throughout the United States and abroad.
For more than 35 years, RAM has provided medical services to low-income individuals — no ID or insurance required. RAM’s Corps of more than 172,900 volunteers (licensed dental, vision, medical and veterinary professionals) have treated more than 863,700 individuals, delivering more than $174 million worth of free healthcare.
Lisa and her colleagues at POF have partnered with RAM as a “community host group” to arrange and host a “pop-up” free clinic on October 8 & 9, 2022, to serve the disadvantaged people of Madison County. POF volunteers will provide the free-clinic patients with dilated eye exams, glaucoma testing, diabetic retinopathy screening and eyeglass prescriptions. RAM even has a mobile vision lab where patients can pick out frames for their new glasses and have the eyeglasses made on-site. With 16.7% of Madison County’s population having no insurance, the free clinic services are a great blessing and relief to those needing healthcare.
Lisa is working hard to find volunteers and donations. If you are an eyecare professional who would like to make a difference by volunteering, or if you’d like to donate much needed funds for the October pop-up clinic in Madison County, please use the following links:
Clinic Volunteer Registration: https://volunteer.ramusa.org/default.aspx
Donate to Support the Clinic: https://pof.org/event-4747248
Become an Event Sponsor: Email Lisa at pofram(@)pof.org
Your donation will empower, inspire and lead to equipping the Madison County community to serve those in need.
In the words of Stan Brock, the founder of Remote Area Medical: “When together we treat a patient, we change a life. When we treat hundreds of patients, we transform a community. When we transform communities, we can change the health of our nation, one RAM clinic at a time.”
The physicians of Bay Area Eye Institute are delighted to have benevolent, compassionate people like Lisa Oliveri on our staff. We are so proud of Lisa and her giving heart. Her selfless spirit mirrors the caregiving philosophy we all strive for at BAEI. Lisa’s professional endeavors have led to numerous certifications and skills that we encourage for all our technician staff. She is one of many proficient caregivers you will encounter here at Bay Area Eye Institute.
Dr. Berger and Bay Area Eye Institute
Craig Berger, MD opened the Bay Area Eye Institute in Tampa, Florida in 2007, specializing in the treatment of Dry Eye Disease, Glaucoma, Cataract and Cornea Transplant surgery.
Along with Dr. Berger, Doctors Gamell and Kerris, treat and manage a large spectrum of eye conditions and diseases at Bay Area Eye Institute. They accept most health insurances and will accommodate quick new-patient appointments.
The practice focuses on patient satisfaction. Their philosophy is to put the patient first, provide physical and emotional comfort, and strive for the highest care possible. Your time and comfort are paramount. They feel that patient education is an important aspect of treatment and will take the time to explain ocular conditions and treatment plans.
Bay Area Eye Institute employs state-of-the-art technology. They utilize the most modern surgical techniques and technology for cataract, keratoconus, cornea transplantation, and glaucoma and eyelid surgery along with the latest astigmatic and presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses.
Bay Area Eye Institute is conveniently located in north Tampa and is easy to get to from all Tampa Bay area counties. They are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday-Friday. Call them today and ask about setting up a cataract surgery evaluation with Dr. Berger.
