Vision To Learn, together with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health), MUSC Children’s Health, and MUSC Storm Eye Institute, have affiliated to bring free vision services to kids in need in South Carolina. With the support of MUSC Health and an incredible outpouring of community support, Vision To Learn launched in Charleston this past September with eye screenings conducted in school auditoriums, exams provided in a mobile vision clinic traveling each day to Charleston County School District (CCSD) Title 1 public schools, and optician-led glasses dispensings following up a few weeks later.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to help students who have, for years, gone without basic eye care — to the detriment of their academic achievement. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full academic and wellness potential,” said Patrick Cawley, M.D., MUSC Health system CEO and Vice President for MUSC Health Affairs. “This program is a great fit with our mission to improve continuity of care for children in need throughout the region, and we look forward to working with other community eye care providers to fill this important need for our community’s children.”
Vision To Learn is fortunate to have a strong partnership with CCSD, including the unwavering support of CCSD Nursing led by Head of Nursing Ellen Nitz. In a survey of 92 school nurses CCSD, 96% of the respondents indicated that mobile vision services that provide free eye exams and glasses at school will benefit students in the schools they represent. When asked to identify barriers preventing families from accessing care with a vision specialist after a referral, 71% checked transportation, 72% lacked money, and 72% lacked knowledge regarding access to care. The VTL model solves these healthcare access issues by bringing services at no charge to the student, family, or school, directly to the students in school.
When Nurse Nitz announced the launch of the program at a CCSD school board meeting, it prompted a standing ovation from the entire school board and school administration. The program will continue to help students in CCSD and plans to offer services to neighboring Berkeley County and Dorchester County school districts in the coming years.
Supporters:
Batson and Diane Hewitt
Carolina Panthers Charities
Ceres Foundation
Charleston County
City of Charleston
City of North Charleston
Duke Endowment
First Citizens Foundation
Hal Cottingham
Henry & Sherry Blackford
Henry B. Smythe Family
Ingevity
John M Rivers Jr. Foundation
Linda Plunkett & Amanda’s Fund
Motley Rice, LLC
MUSC Health
MUSC Health Storm Eye Institute
MUSC Children’s Health
Peter Kellogg Family Foundation
Post and Courier Foundation
Roper St. Francis Physician’s Endowment
Russell Holliday
SC Physician’s Care Charity
Scott Phillips
Stacy & Rana Jordahl
Steve and Emily Swanson
The Dollens Family
The Duke Endowment
TRUIST Foundation
Volvo
Walmart
Press:
Vision To Learn celebrates launch in Charleston County
Seeing is Learning
Launch of Vision To Learn Program in Charleston
Contact:
Vision To Learn, South Carolina
Roberto Hernandez, Program Manager
Questions or concerns: southcarolina@visiontolearn.org
