Sight For Souls Granted Prestigious Award For Work In Ethiopia

Aug 26th, 2014

Sight for Souls is excited to announce that it was chosen to receive the prestigious XOVA (Excellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award). The XOVA award program is sponsored by Novartis Pharma and Alcon and is intended for medical specialists who have devised initiatives that are expected to have significant impact in unmet needs in the field of ophthalmology and optometry. The award is for 50,000 Euros to train the foundational staff (mid-level ophthalmic personnel) for the Discovery Eye Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our plan calls for dividing the clinic into seven groups. Seven key persons, the first employees and directors, will each receive training abroad and in Ethiopia to lead the respective divisions. Our vision for high quality, high volume eye care services is extremely dependent on the success of these individuals, so we are thankful to Novartis and Alcon for making this funding opportunity available and for selecting Sight for Souls to receive this award. Dr. Demissie Tadesse will oversee the implementation of the award. On September 11, Dr. John Kempen flew to London to receive the XOVA award and to present Sight for Souls plan for training leaders in our blindness alleviation work in Ethiopia.