As the year comes to a close, Eyespiring takes a moment to reflect on the people, partnerships, and purpose driving Prevent Blindness Texas forward. In this episode, CEO Heather Patrick and VP of Programs & Community Outreach Monica Guerrero look back on a year of growth, impact, and transformation, while sharing what excites them most about the future of vision health.
Topics Covered
From celebrating milestones and community partnerships to planning for the future, this episode highlights how Prevent Blindness Texas continues to expand access to vision care, and how supporters, volunteers, and advocates can help be the difference.
Check out our Impact Report at https://texas.preventblindness.org/prevent-blindness-texas-impact-report/
⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights
00:00 – Welcome to Eyespiring
Heather Patrick introduces a special year-in-review episode focused on reflection and looking ahead.
01:28 – Why the Work Matters
Monica Guerrero shares powerful client success stories that anchor the organization’s mission and “why.”
04:50 – By the Numbers: A Year of Impact
Over 61,000 individuals screened, 130,000 educated, and 9,200 people connected to eye exams and glasses.
07:11 – Growth, Progress, and What’s Still Needed
Reflecting on how far PBT has come—and the work still ahead across Texas.
08:18 – Call to Action: Volunteers Make It Possible
How community volunteers help expand screenings, education, and outreach statewide.
09:06 – Investing in Vision Care
Why financial assistance for exams and glasses is life-changing for thousands of Texans.
11:33 – Looking Ahead to 2026
Education takes center stage, with growing demand for programs focused on diabetes and vision health.
13:12 – World Sight Day in Action
How PBT amplified global vision awareness through community screenings and events.
15:13 – Fundraising That Fuels the Mission
Highlights from Tee Off to Prevent Blindness, Eye Stroll for Vision, and new DIY4Sight initiatives.
17:18 – Celebrating Leadership & Volunteer Excellence
Recognizing award winners, dedicated volunteers, and board leadership.
20:30 – Collaboration as a Core Value
Why partnerships and shared purpose drive sustainable impact.
23:15 – Dark Dining & Year-End Momentum
A look at PBT’s signature event and the importance of recognizing champions of vision care.
25:18 – Strategic Planning & the Future of Vision Health
Children’s vision, myopia, mental health, and ensuring follow-up care take priority.
28:40 – Be the Difference
Heather shares details about PBT’s year-end campaign and how supporters can make an impact.
29:20 – Closing Reflections & Gratitude
A heartfelt thank-you and a look ahead to new conversations in the coming year.
Episode Summary: In this episode of Eyespiring, Heather Patrick speaks with Melissa Somers, District Nurse for Venus ISD, about her journey from pediatric home health and labor & delivery to school nursing. Nurse Somers shares how vision screenings and partnerships with Prevent Blindness Texas have transformed the lives of students, highlights the unique challenges of school nursing, and emphasizes the importance of advocacy, parent engagement, and community support in promoting eye health.
Topics Covered:
1. Nurse Somers path from LVN to RN and her experiences in pediatric home health, labor & delivery, and school nursing
2. The unique role of school nurses and the relationships they build with students
3. Balancing immediate care with preventative health screenings, including vision and hearing
4. Real-life impact of vision screenings on students’ learning, behavior, and confidence
5. How Prevent Blindness Texas supports school nurses and accelerates vision care
6. Strategies for engaging parents and community members in eye health initiatives
7. The importance of vision advocacy and integrating health into student success
8. Tips for aspiring nurses and school nurses seeking to make a difference in their districts
Nurse Somers story highlights how one nurse’s dedication, compassion, and advocacy can transform the educational experience for students while promoting lifelong vision health.
Timestamps & Highlights:
· 00:00 – Introduction – Heather welcomes listeners and introduces Nurse Melissa Somers.
· 01:08 – Melissa’s Nursing Journey – From LVN to RN; pediatric home health to school nursing.
· 03:08 – Why School Nursing is Special – Creating a safe space and forming long-term relationships with students.
· 04:18 – Lessons from Previous Nursing Roles – Pediatric and labor & delivery experience shaped her calm, resourceful approach.
· 05:47 – From Elementary to High School Nursing – Differences in student needs and responsibilities at different grade levels.
· 07:10 – Advice for Aspiring Nurses & Early Career Professionals – Importance of empathy, compassion, and finding your calling.
· 09:32 – A Day in the Life of a District Nurse – Balancing urgent care with preventative screenings and health education.
· 11:59 – Challenges in School Nursing Today – Mental health, parent communication, and workflow logistics.
· 13:48 – Vision Screenings & PBT Partnership – Becoming a certified vision screener and the power of early detection.
· 18:18 – Impact Stories – Students whose vision screenings dramatically improved classroom performance.
· 20:05 – High School Screenings – The importance of maintaining vision checks for older students.
· 21:26 – Tips for Nurses Considering Partnerships – Taking the first step with Prevent Blindness Texas.
· 22:39 – Engaging Parents & Community – How volunteers, parents, and teachers can support eye health programs.
· 24:22 – Vision Advocacy in Schools – School nurses bridging gaps in access to care.
· 26:25 – Integrating Health Into Student Success – Early detection of health issues improves learning and behavior.
· 27:32 – Key Takeaways for Students – Feeling cared for, being heard, and understanding that their health matters.
· 28:37 – Final Thoughts – Vision is more than seeing: volunteer, listen, and take every health concern seriously.
· 31:07 – Get Involved with Prevent Blindness Texas – Ways to volunteer, get certified, donate, or support student eye health.
In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Kathleen Murphy joins Heather Patrick to explore how vision care and public health come together to create healthier, more equitable communities.
Dr. Murphy reflects on her journey from social work to global nursing, including her years in the Peace Corps working on public health initiatives in Senegal. She shares how those experiences taught her to see the beauty in unexpected places and the importance of being open to learning from others.
Together, Heather and Dr. Murphy discuss:
1. How early family values of service and advocacy shaped her career path
2. The personal experiences that deepened her understanding of eye health as a foundation for overall well-being
3. The power of partnerships, like those between Prevent Blindness and schools, to address unmet vision needs in children
4. Why equity and connection matter just as much as access to care
5. What it means to be a mentor and teacher, especially for women in healthcare
6. The wisdom of learning to pace yourself and focus on what truly matters
Dr. Murphy’s insight reminds us that health is more than a system, it’s a shared responsibility. Her story is a testament to how one person’s dedication can ripple through communities and across borders, helping others live better, longer.
Timestamps & Highlights:
00:20:22 – Shaping Your Career Path Dr. Murphy emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of your career. She encourages early-career professionals to define what they want and come to the table with ideas, noting that “your fear shouldn’t be about doing it. Your fear should be about not understanding why you have fear and then work on that to get it to the place you want it to be.”
00:21:41 – Joining Prevent Blindness Texas She shares her path from Prevent Blindness Wisconsin to Texas, and how being part of a collaborative organization enables meaningful community impact beyond screenings, focusing on advocacy, resource management, and partnerships.
00:26:12 – Leadership Lessons as a Woman in Charge Dr. Murphy reflects on her experiences leading at the state and national levels, discussing the inner reckoning required when stepping into new leadership roles. She advises other women: embrace the challenge, understand your fear, and leverage trusted colleagues for guidance.
00:30:38 – Eye Health Insights From her work with underserved populations, Dr. Murphy highlights the broader impact of vision on daily life, employability, and safety. She illustrates how simple activities, like grocery shopping, rely heavily on vision and stresses the importance of preventive care.
00:34:58 – Taking Care of Your Eyes She shares practical advice for maintaining eye health: don’t delay annual checkups, use available resources, take screen breaks, and follow evidence-based strategies.
00:37:15 – Vision Through the Lifespan Dr. Murphy discusses eye health from childhood to adulthood, emphasizing screenings for developmental conditions, the impact of chronic diseases like diabetes and thyroid disorders, and the role of vision in overall health and self-realization.
00:41:10 – Global Health Lessons for Local Care She compares global and local healthcare, emphasizing collaboration, creative problem-solving, and maximizing the capabilities of healthcare providers to improve access and outcomes.
00:44:13 – Career Challenges and Growth Dr. Murphy reflects on pivotal moments that shaped her career, including taking on difficult public health initiatives in schools and navigating her unique path outside hospital nursing.
00:47:03 – Future of Eye Health & Nursing She discusses the promise of AI and technology in vision care and the urgent need to address the nursing shortage, highlighting the importance of recognizing and supporting the profession.
00:49:47 – Industry Change Wish Dr. Murphy’s vision for the future: universal access to a basic level of eye care with pathways for treatment when needs are identified.
00:50:23 – Final Advice & Call to Action Her parting message: support Prevent Blindness Texas through, donations, volunteering, and advocacy, to help expand their critical work in eye health.
In this inspiring episode of the Eyespiring Podcast, Heather Patrick sits down with Dr. Adam Martinez, Director of the Integrative Health and Well-Being Coaching Program at the University of Houston. Dr. Martinez shares how coaching can help people align their values, goals, and behaviors to create lasting change not just in their health, but in every area of life.
Together, they explore the connection between integrative health, population health, and behavior change. Dr. Martinez explains how coaching differs from therapy, why asking the right questions matters more than having the right answers, and how the University of Houston is preparing the next generation of coaches to make an impact in their communities.
With warmth and insight, Dr. Martinez reminds us that humility and greatness go hand in hand. Each of us has been created for greatness he says, and when we recognize that truth in ourselves and others, transformation becomes possible.
Key Takeaways
1. Integrative health looks at the whole person mind, body, and spirit, acknowledging that well-being extends far beyond physical health.
2. Health coaching is about listening deeply, building trust, and helping people uncover their own motivation for change.
3. The University of Houston’s program makes professional health coaching education accessible and community driven.
4. Population health connects individual well-being to community outcomes, emphasizing data, equity, and collective progress.
5. Humility is strength, it means recognizing that everyone you encounter is also created for greatness.
Resources & Links
• Learn more about the University of Houston Integrative Health and Well-Being Coaching Program: www.uh.edu/population-health/education/coaching-certificate.php
• Explore Prevent Blindness Texas initiatives: www.preventblindnesstexas.org
• Follow Prevent Blindness Texas on social media: @PreventBlindnessTexas
This episode is a powerful reminder that true health begins with connection to ourselves, to others, and to the purpose that drives us.
✨ Subscribe to the Eyespiring Podcast wherever you listen and join us as we continue empowering you to see the world differently.
In this episode of Eyespiring, Heather Patrick sits down with Leslie Nwankwo, a registered nurse, health educator, and passionate patient advocate living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Leslie shares her personal journey navigating life with progressive vision loss, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she discovered her voice as an advocate for herself and the blind and visually impaired community.
Leslie opens up about the emotional side of vision loss, the isolation, fear, and frustration, and how embracing tools, community, and self-acceptance helped her thrive personally and professionally. She also explains the profound role of advocacy in shaping care, from joining Prevent Blindness Texas’ ASPECTS Patient Engagement Program to speaking at FDA meetings and advocating on Capitol Hill.
This conversation highlights the importance of sharing your story, staying engaged, and using your voice to create change in the vision loss community. Leslie’s experiences are both inspiring and practical, offering insights for anyone navigating life with a disability or looking to make an impact through advocacy.
Key Takeaways
· Vision loss affects every aspect of life, but resilience and adaptation make it possible to stay engaged and “in the game.”
· Community support and self-advocacy are crucial for overcoming isolation and achieving personal and professional goals.
· Sharing your story is a powerful tool, it raises awareness, influences decision-makers, and connects you to advocacy opportunities.
· Patient advocacy can take many forms, from individual conversations with healthcare providers to participating in national forums and policy discussions.
· Tools, technology, and resources are vital in maintaining independence and enabling success with vision impairment.
Leslie’s story reminds us that even in the face of vision loss, using your voice, building community, and staying engaged can create real change.
Subscribe to Eyespiring for more conversations that empower, educate, and inspire in the eye health space.
In this episode of Eyespiring, Heather Patrick welcomes Dr. Janet Garza, optometrist, board member of Prevent Blindness Texas, and national advocate for vision health. Together, they explore the urgent and inspiring work of protecting sight and preventing blindness.
Dr. Garza brings forward real stories from her practice, including patients whose outcomes might have been different with earlier care, and she highlights the importance of prevention, education, and advocacy. The conversation spans from the role of nutrition in vision, to challenges in chronic diseases like diabetes and glaucoma, to the importance of mental health when facing vision loss.
Listeners will also hear about Dr. Garza’s path into optometry, her early volunteer work with Prevent Blindness, and her growing involvement with the national organization, where she helps train primary care doctors on the importance of integrating vision into overall health.
Finally, Heather and Dr. Garza discuss the future of vision care, the role of technology and access, and why collaboration across all of healthcare is the key to progress.
Key Takeaways:
Resources & Links:
If you’re passionate about making a difference in vision health, this episode will inspire you to take action.
Subscribe today and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!
In this powerful conversation, Heather Patrick talks with Carol Enneking, author of The Rebalancing Act, about her personal journey through keratoconus, multiple cornea transplants, a breast cancer diagnosis, and what it means to live a balanced life. Carol shares lessons in self-advocacy, the surprising ways medications can affect vision, and why prioritizing health is essential for long-term well-being.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Carol’s journey with keratoconus and four cornea transplants
• How breast cancer treatment unexpectedly impacted her vision
• The critical role of advocacy in navigating the healthcare system
• The link between eye health and overall health
• Why women often put themselves last — and how to change that
• The inspiration behind The Rebalancing Act and its message for women everywhere
Timestamps
• 00:03:00 – Carol’s early diagnosis and journey with keratoconus
• 00:06:20 – The impact of cornea transplants and medical advances
• 00:18:45 – Eye health as a solvable problem — if we act now
• 00:24:30 – Breast cancer, tamoxifen, and unexpected vision loss
• 00:28:40 – The importance of advocacy and proactive healthcare
• 00:37:00 – Women, self-care, and the need to prioritize ourselves
• 00:43:45 – Key takeaways from The Rebalancing Act
• 00:45:45 – Reflections, lessons learned, and letting go of perfection
Resources & Links
• Get The Rebalancing Act by Carol Enneking: https://carolenneking.com/book/
• Learn more about Prevent Blindness Texas: https://texas.preventblindness.org
• Follow Eyespiring for future episodes: https://eyespiring.transistor.fm
A dialogue between Heather Patrick President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Texas and Jeff Todd President and CEO of Prevent Blindness. Listen in as Heather Patrick sits down to talk with Jeff Todd about their role as CEO’s, the challenges and rewards of being in the space and trends across eye health.
Dr. Segu is currently a clinical professor, director of the clinical teaching fellowship program, and clinic director for the Houston vision collaboration project-See to Succeed for the University of Houston College of Optometry. She is sharing her perspective about eye health as an optometrist.
We are sitting down with Monica Guerrero Vice-President of Programs and Community Outreach to talk about the eye health and vision programs Prevent Blindness Texas provides.
We are diving into why eye health is important with Dr. Misha Syed on this episode of Eyespiring. Dr. Syed serves as Assistant Dean for Educational Affairs, John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB, and as Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Ophthalmology. Tune in to find out what advice she is sharing about eye health and what puts you at higher risk for eye disease.
This week’s episode of Eyespiring features Jill Ames, Manager at the Alcon Foundation. Jill is a seasoned social impact professional with over a decade of experience in strategic charitable giving and partnership development. She is sharing what the landscape looks like for eye health, what has changed and what changes interest her the most.
On this episode of Eyespiring is Dr. Jane Edmond! Dr. Edmond is the Wong Family Distinguished University Chair and Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Director of the Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute, and Interim Vice Dean for Professional Practice, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. Hear what she has to share about eye health and what drives her as an ophthalmologist!
Get to know Prevent Blindness Texas! The mission of Prevent Blindness Texas is to prevent blindness and preserve sight. Our vision, is vision, making healthy eyes a priority in Texas. We want to inspire you to be bold in taking care of your health and making vision a priority in your life. We will talk about health, challenges, best practices, vision, leaders in the space, trends, vision loss, community, support networks and the connection of vision that brings us all together. We are leaders and change agents in the eye health space here to empower you! Make sure you follow today so you don’t miss an episode.