Young Petia visits IEF from Bulgaria

"We don't have any ophthalmologists specializing in plastic surgery in Bulgaria, so this is fascinating for me to see" said young Petia Moutaftchieva, a medical student from Bulgaria. She is the grand-daughter of IEF's Bulgaria country representative Prof. Petja Vassileva, a distinguished ophthalmologist who also trains ophthalmologists in Sofia. This was her first time in the US. She visited IEF and was toured the private practice of Dr. Frank Ashburn and Dr. Paul Gavaris in Washington, DC. Petia observed two eyelid repairs performed by Dr. Gavaris and his daughter, Dr. Lauren Gavaris, at the Surgi-Center, "something I don't see very much in Bulgaria". A highlight was the tour of the National Library of Medicine on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD where Petia got a library card and looked up many scientific articles on Publine authored by her grandmother! She also viewed the very special room of ancient medical texts dating from before 1501 AD, the oldest being an Arabic text on digestive diseases dated 1049 AD. We hope young Petia follows in the footsteps of her distinguished grandmother and great-grandfather and becomes an ophthalmologist. Whatever she decides, she has a bright future!

Photos: Left: V Sheffield, Petia Moutaftchieva, Dr. Frank Ashburn

Right: Dr. Paul Gavaris, Petia, Dr. Lauren Gavaris

Victoria M. Sheffield

President & CEO

Kathryn Leckey Thanked for Service on IEF Board

Kathryn Leckey is presented with the IEF "globe award" by Board Chair Dr. James P. Ganley at IEF's Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors on June 18, 2009. Kathryn has served IEF as a Board member for twelve years, chaired our annual gala the Eye Ball, and participated in many events that support our work. Dr. Ganley noted her "...dedicated commitment to IEF's mission of saving sight."

Onchocerciasis Treatment Continues in Cameroon.

IEF supported the treatment of 802,351 persons with Mectizan® during 2008 in two Provinces in Cameroon, reports Mr. Patrice Nkwelle, IEF’s Project Director in Cameroon.

With the generous support of the Mectizan® Donation Program (MDP), the Lions SightFirst Program, the Lions Coalition, Cameroon, and the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC), over 1.1 million persons living in hyper and meso-endemic communities in Adamaoua Province in the north and South Province in the south are targeted for annual treatment with Mectizan®.

During May and June, 802,351 persons living in 3,330 communities received over 2.27 million Mectizan® tablets through a network of 6,672 Community Directed Distributors (CDDs). Each Province has achieved 100% geographic coverage and an average therapeutic coverage level (total population at risk) of 72%. Among the population at risk and eligible to receive treatment, the coverage level averaged 87% for both Provinces. Adamaoua Province has finished its 10th and South Province its 5th annual distribution cycle under the APOC Programme. Congratulations to Patrice and his dedicated team and to the Lions Coalition Cameroon for their continued dedication and hard work!

John Barrows

June 2009

IEF receives 4 stars - Charity Navigator

Savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars. Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator, has awarded IEF their coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management. This "exceptional" designation from Charity Navigator differentiates IEF from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.

In a letter from Ken Berger, President & CEO of Charity Navigator, congratulating IEF on achieving this, the highest rating, he recognized the Internation Eye Foundation for the way the organization executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms other charities in America.

Wendy Codd
June 9, 2009

Dr. Nam visits Washington DC

Dr. Namperumalsamy (Dr. Nam), Chairman of the Aravind Eye Care System, India was in Washington DC attending the Global Health Council meeting last week May 28, 2009. Dr. Nam accepted the Gates Award for Global Health in 2008 on behalf of Aravind. Raheem Rahmathullah, Sustainability Specialist (left) and John Barrows, Director of Programs (center) from IEF met with Dr. Nam (right) over lunch to "catch up" and discuss program ideas to address to growing worldwide problem of diabetic retinopathy.