Dates 3-2-25 through 3-8-2025
The Arizona chapter of VOSH traveled to Sonora, Mexico to the town of Miguel Aleman to take part in a vision clinic in association with the Rotary Club, Hermosillo Pitic and the local government health division. Miguel Aleman is a town of about 35,000 residents with an economy centered around agriculture and municipally associated with the much larger state capital of Hermosillo. The group stayed in Hermosillo and traveled the 45 minute drive into Miguel Aleman every morning Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The local government health division, Sedesson, qualified and informed the citizens that were in need of eye care while the Rotarians organized much of the equipment transport and assistance of the Mexican high school volunteer translators. The Rotarians also facilitated setting up the clinic and dispensing nonprescription reading glasses and sunglasses.
The clinic was organized into several stations, following typical patient flow. Registration was first, where government health representatives recorded identifying and health information. Patients then proceeded to Auto Refraction, followed by the education station which included a 15-minute audio presentation on health recommendations and the examination process.
Next was visual acuity, followed by Triage, where optometrists and students determined the patient’s next steps. Refraction and Ocular Disease stations were next, operated by optometrists and students, with two ophthalmologists from Midwestern University and one from Hermosillo joining for part of the week.
After the ocular disease station, patients visited the Optical station to select donated frames, which will be fitted with prescription lenses by a Mexican optometrist. Adjacent were the Reading Glasses and Sunglasses stations, where Rotarians dispensed donated glasses. The Pediatric station, overseen by a Mexican optometrist specializing in pediatrics, handled children’s examinations with optometry students.
Optometry students from the US and Mexico were divided into groups and rotated through six stations for a well-rounded experience.
Our combined volunteer group of 139 consisted of 34 optometry students, 16 doctors, 36 translators, 37 volunteers, and 16 Rotarians. There was a prevailing sense of kindness and willingness to serve that makes this experience truly special and is a testament to the goodness of each individual who participated. 1854 patients examined and 76 people were referred for cataract surgery. 1,046 prescription glasses have been ordered and are in the process of being filled, while 455 pairs of reading glasses and 353 sunglasses were dispensed.
Dr. David Stacy, a past president and long time member, gifted his personal diagnostic kit as an award to inspire the legacy of VOSH-AZ in our younger generation of volunteers.
A heart-felt thanks to all who participated, organized, and facilitated this remarkable undertaking. We hope to see you again!