May 8, 2024 — Prevent Blindness will host the 13th annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Summit July 10-11 as a virtual event, open to all at no cost. The theme for this year, “Being Seen and Heard,” aims to amplify and educate the importance of a person-centered approach to vision health interventions, research, communications, and care.
The agenda addresses a variety of topics including the impact of social determinants of health on increased or decreased eye health disparities; innovative strategies, emerging technologies, surveillance, and collaborative approaches that promote eye health; and engaging individuals to reduce barriers to care and foster meaningful policy, research, and programs.
Keynote speaker Stacey B. Lee, JD, professor of law and ethics at the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, will kick off the event on Wednesday, July 10, with her presentation, “The Patient Voice,” followed by a reaction panel and discussion. Other presentations taking place on July 10 include “Vision Research and the Citizen Scientist,” and “Seeing and Hearing Children’s Vision Needs.”
Additionally, World Council of Optometry president and Prevent Blindness Board of Directors Emeritus member Sandra S. Block, O.D., will formally present the 2024 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health and the Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award to the nonprofit Mission for Vision and clinical instructor and Ph.D. candidate Erica Shelton, O.D., respectively.
National Health Council chief executive officer Randall L. Rutta and Coalition for Health AI CEO Brian Anderson, M.D., will kick off Thursday, July 11, by discussing the importance of person-centered approaches to artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of health care in a fireside chat, “The Human Side of AI in Health Care.” Other presentations taking place July 11 include “The Many Eyes in Artificial Intelligence” and “Visible Voices: Vignettes of Being Seen and Heard.”
“The year’s Focus on Eye Health Summit will once again convene leaders, experts, and stakeholders who are passionate about advancing the vision and eye health of our nation and our world,” says Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.
To learn more about the virtual event, click here.