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The mission of Prevent Blindness Texas is to prevent blindness and preserve sight. We are leaders and change agents in the eye health space here to empower you!
Hey, it's your eye health experts prevent blindness Texas and welcome to Eyespiring a conversation about all things vision and life. Hi and welcome to Eyespiring. I'm your host, Heather Patrick, the CEO of Prevent Blindness Texas. Today is a special episode because we are gonna look back over the last year, talk about some exciting things that have happened with PBT, and some of our favorite episodes.
Heather Patrick:Monica Guerrero, my VP of Programs and Strategic Relationships is here with me and so just in case this is your first time it's a great episode to join but we are here to prevent blindness and preserve sight.
Heather Patrick:That is our mission, we serve the whole state, and really at the end of the day the work we do is to connect people to the care they need across our great state of Texas. All right, Monica, you ready?
Monica Guerrero:We're ready.
Heather Patrick:All right, Monica, let everyone know how long have you been with prevent blindness Texas?
Monica Guerrero:This June will be twenty four years. Wow. I was trying to do the math. That started in June, I'll never forget that day.
Heather Patrick:Yep. That is awesome. Well we are glad to have you. Monica is a key to everything we do and an incredible teammate and leader for PBT. Alright.
Heather Patrick:So what we heard from the experts over the last year. One theme we have repeatedly heard is that eye health is not separate from overall health, it is essential to it. So when you think about that, well, I believe that is true and something we obviously embrace and promote. Do you think that is the case for everyone else in healthcare? Do you think they see it that way?
Monica Guerrero:I don't think they see it that way until we bring it up. And so I think after having multiple conversations with just our partners across the state, once we start talking about the topic, then it's something that it's sort of like that moment where it's like, you're right. I can't do anything without my glasses, my contact lenses, you know, my kids who wear glasses. Now that I see how much better they're doing in school and just in everyday life, I see what a pair of glasses, how it can make a difference.
Monica Guerrero:And so I think, you know, it's one of those conversations that unless it starts affecting you, you don't talk about it. But I think it needs to be talked about more, right? And so I think this is why PBT is here. That's our goal.
Heather Patrick:Yep. Yep. One of the themes from guests like Doctor. Garza or Doctor. Syed is about, early detection and how important prevention is, and also marrying that with innovation, new technology and equity.
Heather Patrick:Right, so as you think about for us, what does that look like over the next three years? How are we gonna do that?
Monica Guerrero:You know, one of our goals is always to try to bring, eye care and vision care to everyone and not just to those who are underserved. But, you know, I always say screenings, for me are important for everybody, whether you have insurance or not. I think a lot of people are not aware of the vision coverage benefits that they may already have.
Monica Guerrero:And then those that don't have it, the opportunities that they can get by working with Prevent Blindness and applying for our services and getting a free eye screening that we can help them see better. So I think it's equal across the board.
Monica Guerrero:But for me, I think it's always just building that trust for everybody and making sure that everybody in the community is represented.
Heather Patrick:After everything over the past year, if you had to summarize what eye health is whole health means in one takeaway, what would it be?
Monica Guerrero:That vision affects a lot of our body and we just are not aware of it. You know, the conversations that we've had about diabetes, blood pressure, heart, it's all connected. And I think, you know, people really underestimate the importance of a dilated eye exam and always tell them, you know, getting a simple dilated eye exam can tell a lot about you, your health and maybe things that you should be aware of. So, you know, I always tell people like, don't be afraid of the drops.
Heather Patrick:And that is the key takeaway for today. Don't be afraid of the drops.
Heather Patrick:But I really, so one of the episodes that stands out to me over the last year is the one with, Doctor. Jennifer Deakins. And specifically, we have the conversation around, you know, eye doctors are really the only doctor that has the ability to see your vascular health through that eye exam, right, cutting you open. And so it truly is the opportunity to see how your body is doing through your eyes.
Heather Patrick:And that really because we talk about it all the time, The eyes being the windows to your soul, to your health. And we talk about how important eye exams are, not only if you wear glasses, but for everyone. And that really drove home for me, like just to be able to, in that nutshell, really, they do, right? It is they have a clear cut picture into how your body is operating, right? What the health of your body is through that eye exam, through that dilated eye exam.
Heather Patrick:So again, do the drops. All right, so several guests we had reminded us that a child can't learn clearly if they can't see clearly. So when you think about over, you know, the last year, we've talked a lot about, we've talked to some of our school nurses, some of our school partners, When you think about over the last year in those conversations, what stands out to you and what do you want our listeners to remember too?
Monica Guerrero:I think the important takeaway, especially from our school nurses is helping the community and especially parents understand that children are not aware that they may have a vision problem. And so a lot of times they're going school years without being able to see, and a simple vision screening can make a huge difference.
Heather Patrick:And why? What bad vision impact for a child potentially?
Monica Guerrero:Yeah, know I think about the kid who says or who comes back, or the parent who comes back and says, now I understand why they kept asking to be moved up to the front of the classroom. Couldn't see from far away. And now they're not having to do that because they can see. It's also a proud moment to hear whenever, the parents start talking about how the kids you don't have to remind them anymore to put on their like I know my daughter. I don't have to remind her anymore to put on her glasses.
Monica Guerrero:It's just part of her routine. And it took a while, but if you get them into the practice of eyeglasses are important, you can't go to school day without seeing them, it becomes important to them. Right? And so it's really relaying the importance of that message to not just a parent, but to the child who's wearing the glasses. But yeah, the amount of kids I don't know they can't see, it's always, know, our vision screenings are a couple of minutes and whenever it's time to start covering the right eye and the left eye and at that point where they realize they can't see, for me, it never gets old.
Monica Guerrero:It never gets old. I'm just like, how did they do it? How did they go all the way through the fifth grade without being able to see? And for them, it's always at that moment when they realize they can't see. And it's almost like they're trying to process, I can't see, so what do I do next?
Monica Guerrero:How am I gonna be helped? Am I gonna be able to do better in school after getting my glasses? But it's sort of like this run of emotions that just kind of goes through their head and you're going along with them. And all this happens like in four or five minutes and you're like, Oh my gosh, what a rush. But then whenever you hear the nurse say, you know, the world of a difference those glasses make once they got them, especially if we're that person or we're that organization that's helping them to receive the care that they need makes it even more special. You know,
Heather Patrick:yeah, I think about the kids that struggle and their behavior, they act out and again, their confidence, right? It everything changes that moment that they realize, you know, this isn't me, this is I can't see and things change for them then, right. And I think that is, it is the miracle of glasses, right, for couple $100 to change that pathway truly for a child, you know, to go forward in their learning journey, I think is worth the investment every single time.
Monica Guerrero:Right, and prevent blindness just doesn't help with the vision screenings, but if the school nurse encounters barriers to receiving care for the students, that's where we also come in. And so whether it's cost, lack of knowledge, just really helping the parent to understand, that's also part of our role.
Heather Patrick:So when you think about kind of over the past year and certainly over the years you've been doing this, what do you think are the key points, you know, both Nurse Summers and Doctor. Lohman talked about and you just said it too, kids don't know what they don't know and frankly parents don't know what they don't know either. If you didn't wear glasses or you don't have to go through this process, right, you may not know what the signs and symptoms are. So we talked a lot about that too and I think it can be a little scary when you realize, oh right there is an issue, so what happens? How do I get help?
Heather Patrick:But what are kind of the three things that stand out to you if parents only remember three things, what would you tell them are the key points for children's vision?
Monica Guerrero:If they are, if they have just become aware that their child has a vision problem, it's important to keep up with it every year. So one of our messages is to tell them, you know, getting a pair of glasses is not a one time deal. Like you have to try to come to us if you need help or if you need a resource to be able to go every year because prescriptions change. You may have a child who has plus two and then the following year it just goes up and up and up. So if they need the resource, they can come back to us and don't be afraid.
Monica Guerrero:So the second message is do not be afraid to come and ask us for help. This is what we're here for. We're here to support your needs and whatever we can do to help as far as your eye care. And then the third is if you don't understand, if you need help understanding when you take your child to go get the eye exam, don't be afraid to come and ask us for help on maybe it's questions that you should be asking, Or maybe you start noticing things that are different about your child before and after receiving glasses. But if you need help coming up with questions to ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist, we can also help to support that part.
Heather Patrick:Yeah. So over the years, especially this past year, what do you think has changed the most in serving families and children?
Monica Guerrero:I have seen there is an increasing need. You know, we have read, we know there are reports out there that you know there are increasing rates of children who are needing eyeglasses and eye care, and we're seeing it in our screenings. I mean, COVID, we started seeing the referral rates go up. You know, that's, you know, that we're here for them if we need to support them. But also the schools.
Monica Guerrero:I want the schools to know that we can also help to support whether it's like training, education, resources, if we have volunteers available to help provide support for the screenings, that we're here for them as well. One of the areas that we've been engaging in a lot more are like the family nights or the family engagement nights and the educational part. And I think that's something for me that I feel is not talked about enough.
Monica Guerrero:So, you know, now whenever we have opportunities for our volunteers to help support those family nights and we try to do our best to be there because, you know, it takes us away from being so busy with the screenings and the paperwork and everything else that we're doing. But it gives us the opportunity to spend a few minutes with the family, whether it's the mom, the dad, the grandma, to help us really stress the importance of vision.
Monica Guerrero:And so for me, community events that the schools are putting on are becoming really important because it's not just vision that they need to learn about, it's all kind of resources that they need to learn about. So it's a great opportunity for us to be able to spread the message.
Heather Patrick:And it's about connection, right? Building relationships. You know, we talk about this business, it's a relationship business and it's a relationship business with our clients, with the families we serve, with the partners we have, and I think events like that, I think for me when I think about what has changed over the last several years, and probably even more so since COVID, but I would say with the rise of technology is this need for connection.
Heather Patrick:And so I think one of our roles is to build those connections and build that trust and empower our families to be able to understand how to navigate the system and what resources are there. Whether you have insurance or don't have insurance, right?
Heather Patrick:It is a huge system, and it takes a lot to navigate it. And so I think that is one thing for us when I think about just over the years that I've been doing this, this whole idea of care coordination, and being walking alongside our families and really helping them navigate the system. I'm also walking with our providers and connecting our families to our providers, and being able to help in that way too. I think it's different than it was even five or ten years ago.
Monica Guerrero:Oh yeah, community partnerships are important. And I always say, you know, the real change happens when we work together. Yeah. And so when we work together, it just makes it so much easier because we may be working with us, whether it's a school, a community clinic, community center. But if we're trying to help a person and if there's a more trusted person that they can rely on, then we're willing to work with that person to make sure that whoever we're helping actually receives a full continuum of care.
Monica Guerrero:Yeah.
Heather Patrick:So we also talked a lot about over this past year leadership and advocacy and I think really again using this idea of using your voice to move things forward.
Heather Patrick:And we talked, know, Jeff Todd talked about that, Kathleen Murphy talked about it, Liz Thompson talked about it, and even my conversation with Brooke Campbell, talking about mission, impact, working together. What stands out to you kind of through those conversations? What were you like, man, that was really good. That was a really good point or you know, that was so meaningful in that conversation.
Heather Patrick:Is there something that stands out to you?
Monica Guerrero:Yeah, I mean, think they all had a different approach, but I think they're all focused on building impact, on building trust and also listening to the communities. And we have to listen because Texas is a large state and, you know, we serve all these different key market areas and every region or every part of Texas that we go to is different.
Monica Guerrero:So, know, each time we spend some time with them in person, always make it a point to try to listen or maybe learn the way, you know, things are being done in that area. So then that way, when it's time to either work with them or maybe help their clients, we have to adapt to the ways that maybe they will better respond. And so listening to the communities is a big, it's important, very important.
Monica Guerrero:And then also building that impact. And then, you know, building the trust. I mean when we're spending time with our partners, that's how we build trust in our partnership. It doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes it can take months, sometimes it could take years. So I think patience is also a big one.
Monica Guerrero:May not work and maybe they tell us, Monica, hey, maybe we'll revisit this in three months. And I'm like, three months? Like, no, I want to do it now. But for whatever reason, I have to trust that three months from now works better for them now. And so it's always making sure that we do revisit and that we don't leave them just sort of wondering what happened to prevent blindness, but that we come back.
Monica Guerrero:I just feel like sometimes whenever they ask us to wait and whenever we come back, it just works so much stronger because then that means that both parties are ready. And whenever we're ready, we do big things together.
Heather Patrick:Yeah, love that. You know, when I think about the conversations, I think to you about collaboration, right? And how important strategic and collaboration is really in the world of healthcare, but especially in the world of nonprofit healthcare, right being able to collaborate, you know, bring those resources together. That's where I see innovation happening. And I think you're right.
Heather Patrick:All of those kind of point to building our impact, but together, right. There is no one organization that can do it alone. And I think that was, you know, when we talk about leadership too, it's, you know, thinking about the team and it all comes back to cultivating and fostering those relationships, right, and moving towards the vision of what you want to accomplish. And one of the things we talked about too is advocacy, especially with, Gen Deacons. And so when you think about advocacy, you know, over the years we haven't been super involved at the state level.
Heather Patrick:We've always been connected at the federal level because of our national team. But what do you think about advocacy? And as think about, you know, especially the next three years, where do you see us going?
Monica Guerrero:I know we talked a lot about, awareness and education, but advocacy is just as important because you know, I always say awareness is not enough. You know, advocacy, you know, for us, it's really about helping to change systems and really helping to increase access for everyone. That also doesn't happen overnight. That can take a really long time. But it's something that I feel is doable and I think we can do it.
Monica Guerrero:We are doing it, you know, like you said, it may be on a smaller scale, but I think, you know, the next, especially in the next three years, I see us maximizing that impact of what we can do on an advocacy level, and making sure that, you know, people that are falling through the cracks are no longer falling through the cracks, you know, and it's really helping to improve that part for them. Especially children, you know, it's if anybody should be helped first, it should be kids because we we need to start from a young age so we can help develop those habits as they grow, especially as they become young adults, working adults, aging adults. And so our goal really is to help move the needle from the beginning to the end.
Heather Patrick:When I think about advocacy, part of what I think about is patient voices, right, and being able to engage as many voices as possible to change whatever needs to be changed. Right. But I see part of our role as again going back and empowering people, right, giving them the information they need, the support they need, finding their voice, knowing they can make change. You know, especially when I think about Leslie Wongko who was one of our first guests and just her story and how powerful her voice is right in working with the FDA and trying to find a treatment for RP.
Heather Patrick:But I just think you know, she is a great example of using your voice to change something and we all have that ability and that's one of the things I love about this organization and I think when I think about the next three years really being able to drive that build our structure to bring more people to us so that we can use our voices to change whatever needs to be changed to help.
Heather Patrick:I think everyone have a better sense of eye health, and access to the care they need. So we, I love this question. We also heard from several leaders that nonprofit work requires both heart and strategy. Would you agree?
Monica Guerrero:Yeah, and I think it's also about balancing our mission and action. Yeah, I mean, we have to be able to do a little bit of both. So, and you know, when I say action, like we have to believe in our mission in order to find the steps to be able to move that mission forward. Because if we don't believe in that mission, then not much gets done. But that's, you know, for me, that's it seems easy, but it sometimes can be hard.
Heather Patrick:Yeah.
Monica Guerrero:Right?
Heather Patrick:Because you get meared down in the day to day, right? I mean, just had this conversation on a different episode about coming back to your why, right?
Monica Guerrero:Having a purpose, like really understanding like, what is my purpose? Like, why am I in this role? Why am I working for prevent blindness? Like, why am I trying to help people have better eye health? It's really understanding and sometimes you have to step back and kind of revisit, right?
Monica Guerrero:And it may change. It's not your why is not always going to stay the same. I mean the, you know, the overall goal is going to be the same, but you know, as you grow as a leader, your why also changes, right? And how you operate that why. And it's also, you know, part of the people that you meet along the way that also helps to really, you know, navigate your purpose.
Monica Guerrero:And it's just part of growth, And so, know, that's all part of growing. And if your why is changing with you and it keeps getting better, that means that you're also growing, right? So as a leader in the community, as a leader for your team, as a leader for your partners, it's and it really is about always making time to listen to who you're working with.
Heather Patrick:Yeah, I would agree. Alright, so we've talked about some of the themes and lessons from the past year, but let's talk about the moments that have stayed with us throughout the podcast. Earlier, but we are getting ready to celebrate. We've actually been doing this for a full year now, which is super exciting. Because I think that just that moment stays with me because this was a dream and a conversation that we made happen.
Heather Patrick:And it has been an incredible journey. You know, the guests we've had on, the conversations we've had, the response we've got, And I am just really grateful that people have embraced the podcast because it is, something that I just I love doing and I think has opened a whole new audience for prevent blindness Texas.
Monica Guerrero:Yeah, so like you mentioned, sometimes it's our patient voices, sometimes it's a story, sometimes it was that special event that we did and we were like, wow, that was just so much fun. Know, Heather, when you think back on the past year of conversations, what's one moment that immediately comes to mind?
Heather Patrick:Well, I think about Doctor Edmond because I was just so fascinated by her story of, you know, her mom not wanting her to be a doctor. And of course her mother changed over time, right, in supporting her, but I know how she was so honest about that, you know, you want to network while you're in med school, but at that time her support system was very small because of how cutthroat the competition was. And I'd say it was just that was really remarkable to me. You know, again, Leslie's story of just how courageous she is and just how incredibly talented she is.
Heather Patrick:And I love that, you know, she started off, think in the place that we all do have, will my voice really make a difference, right? And it clearly is. And so I think that I loved hearing that story. You know, Jen Deakins and just her perspective of how she works out in the community, her leadership, you know, advocating for change all while delivering, you know, top eye care in Fort Worth and her spirit to collaborate.
Heather Patrick:I think my takeaway was we have amazing people that are part of this organization and a part of this ecosystem. And we are all dedicated to really making it better for the people we serve.
Monica Guerrero:So was there something that genuinely surprised you about, you know, what or how they think about our work or their work?
Heather Patrick:I don't know that I was surprised about, you know, work or how they thought about our workplace. I think everyone understands how important our work is. I think what was some of the moments were, you know, like with Doctor. Martinez, right? And, you know, we got from one place to vision and how vision is connected to population health.
Heather Patrick:And, you know, I think it goes back to something you said earlier, is that we bring that to the table. Like we, you know, challenge people to think about eye health differently. And I think that when they step back and they really do start to think about that, they're like, immediately, yes, we need to include this. We need to find a way to make this happen.
Heather Patrick:But I think what stands out to me like, you know, I was in the health coaching program for six months and worked with Dr. Martinez and never knew he started his career as a high school teacher. And I never would have guessed that. I mean, now thinking back, I'm like, yes, it totally makes sense. I mean, he's like, he's a great coach. But I think that has been the coolest part of doing this is people that I knew really well, I learned something.
Heather Patrick:People that I didn't know well, you know, learn their story and I'm even more motivated by them. And so that has been a really cool part of this journey, as what started off and we usually find some way to work eye health in there, even if they're not an eye health expert, right, it is always part of the conversation. And I think that's the beauty of this, right? Eye health is always part of the conversation and then we've woven in you know leadership and life lessons and just fun things too and so it really has become so much more while always being anchored in why eye health matters to us.
Monica Guerrero:And you know, I think the way you've always asked or kept us up to date about the podcast, but you would always ask the entire team, is there somebody that you feel would be a great guest on our podcast and would contribute a different perspective to help contribute to the conversation of eye health? And so now whenever, you know, I'm kind of, you know, everybody does the scrolling through the Instagram.
Monica Guerrero:But you know, when I'm going through different profiles and I'm like, wow, this person would be a really cool guest on our podcast, right? And your brain just kind of starts thinking, you know, differently. But you know, what we're really doing is we're really helping to make the connection between different topics and how that integrates into vision health.
Monica Guerrero:Right. So was there a guest that left you feeling like super energized? Like after this podcast, I'm gonna go run a marathon kind of energy level?
Heather Patrick:I mean, a lot of them, you know, I think two that stuck out to me. So when we talked to Doctor. Syed, right, so Misha, our former board chair, you know, you work with someone on a regular basis and again, it's kind of that day to day, you forget how amazing their accomplishments are like on the world stage, And Misha is just so incredibly accomplished.
Heather Patrick:And I when I you know, we had that conversation and her passion for teaching and lifting other women up, I just walked away from that conversation feeling really inspired to continue to follow her footsteps and work in that way. I also think when I talked to Kathleen Murphy, who is one of my very favorite people, she was on this board when I first got here, she made my transition, which was very challenging, a little bit easier.
Heather Patrick:And it's funny because when talking, these people don't see themselves as these like life changing people or mentors or you know, world class leaders and they are. I just even talking to her, just how motivating it is because they're just so humble. All they really want to do is make the world a better place through, you know, nursing, through being a doctor. I mean, it just truly is amazing all that they've done. And they just don't see it that way.
Heather Patrick:They just keep doing their job because they want to make it a better place.
Monica Guerrero:I think the thing is, you know, we invite guests on our podcast to tell about the story of where they're at now. But the beauty of the podcast is being able to find out the story about what it took to get them to the now. And so that's always really cool to see you know, all the schooling that they had to go to and maybe some challenges and maybe people telling them, no, you cannot be a doctor and just sort of overcoming those barriers to get to where they're at right now. So that's always the interesting part to learn.
Monica Guerrero:Because like you said, you may email these people at the time or talk to them, but you really don't know what it took to get there. Right? And we're grateful that they're with us to be able to make an impact on PBT and us and the people that we serve. And so it's always nice to get to know the backstory. So I mean, your bio can only, it's only a paragraph.
Monica Guerrero:Right? So it gives us the opportunity to learn a couple of paragraphs versus the one paragraph. And then was there a moment during the year when you step back and you thought, you know, this is exactly why Prevent Blindness Texas does this work.
Heather Patrick:But I think the conversation with Nurse Summers was powerful, right, and full circle. Since she started. Right, I mean, she came in as she got certified, right,
Monica Guerrero:by us as a nursing student
Heather Patrick:now she is, you know, the lead nurse for a small district and working with us and I just and she just said it so clearly about why this work is important, how it's been so important for her students. And that really, that stood out to me, that conversation stood out to me. It was so personal for her and yet it is the statement, it's a powerful statement of the difference this organization makes for people. And that conversation, really, and just how genuine she was, it it stayed with me.
Monica Guerrero:Yeah, I love how she remembered us. Yeah, yeah. And for prevent blindness to stay in her mind and to know that we made a difference in her nursing career, feel is a huge accomplishment for our organization. And so it's always nice for people to remember the work that we're doing in the community.
Heather Patrick:Not only just remembering it right.
Monica Guerrero:continuing it
Heather Patrick:but bringing it right, bringing it forward. And I think that one of the things that I have really, you know, back to the earlier segment of what I have seen change, I think we really are beginning to understand the impact we're having on the workforce too, right? Because we work with so many nursing students, right, med students, optometry students, I mean hundreds of them over the years that we have trained them, taught them, supported them when they've been out in the community.
Heather Patrick:And I think we really like that is a huge, like a huge contribution from the organization back out to the professional world too, is being able to have that opportunity to work with interns and students, but also shaping what they're learning as it relates to eye health and healthcare. And that's been exciting to see because I think we've grown that program, we continue to invest in it, and we continue to see, the fruit of that labor.
Heather Patrick:I think about Doctor Garza, right? Same story, right. She was volunteer
Monica Guerrero:while she was in college.
Heather Patrick:Yep, and then became a fabulous eye doctor, faculty at U of H, and then on our board and chair of our public health committee. So that to me is the beauty of an organization like this.
Monica Guerrero:So beyond the guest, how do you feel about these conversations and how we're connecting with the public?
Heather Patrick:I mean, I love it. I love that I post, every time we drop an episode, I post on my social media, and inevitably somebody responds positively. I just, that to me is amazing. And I look at us on LinkedIn when an episode drops and Kim Schuy was a great example. I mean, that was an incredible conversation.
Heather Patrick:I know Kim, I didn't know her super well. Now I feel like I know her really well, but just her experience, but just, you know, so many people responded on LinkedIn, how excited they were to listen to the conversation. And I think that has just been really, really cool. You know, to see all different people that we probably would not touch, right? Or it'd be a long time before we kind of got to that ecosystem.
Heather Patrick:This expedites that, right? This conversation, this podcast, it leapfrogs us into different networks and to different people. And I think that is really exciting, But I just, it's been phenomenal. I mean, I have over the course of the year, people are excited to listen, people that I didn't even know were listening will send me a message that they listened, my family listens. And so I just, it's been really cool to just see the positive response to it.
Monica Guerrero:So for the listener who has listened to every episode, or at least some of our episodes, like what do you hope that they feel after listening to one of them?
Heather Patrick:Inspired. Inspired to support us, to connect with us, to be an advocate for eye health. But mostly I think just to support us, to advocate for PBT in that way of the value we bring to the community and just getting engaged with us, helping us move our mission forward and bring along as many people as we can because I think that is ultimately what changes access to care, right, is when enough voices demand change. And so I think and understand why it's important, the value of it, right? It's not just to demand change to demand change, but really because there's a value that comes with making the change.
Heather Patrick:And so I hope that they are inspired. I mean, hence, I aspiring, right? I really do. I mean, I hope they're inspired to be a part of our movement.
Monica Guerrero:Yeah, and I hope understand that our work matters. Right. So I guess on that note, let's talk a little bit about where Prevent Blindness Texas is today. All right.
Heather Patrick:Okay, so we've spent time reflecting on conversations and moments from the past year, but we will definitely talk about what's happening in the upcoming year. And we've made a big change, we have a new strategic plan that we just launched April 1. And I think when I think about that plan and the next three years, what stands out the most to me is intentional delivery of interventions right across the state, really understanding what the trends are, where the largest issues are right now, and expediting interventions to change that as fast as we can. And then I also think about education and advocacy, right? And back to what you said earlier about it's not just about awareness, right?
Heather Patrick:The goal is to empower to provide enough information and support that you change your action, right? And that is not easy. You know, think we've had so many conversations over the last several years of the things that the barriers that keep us from moving forward in our care from, you know, your kids to being a caregiver to work, costs, transportation, they're all different things that keep us stuck sometimes, From not getting the care we need. Sometimes we're afraid. And I think when I think about our plan for the next three years it's really helping move those barriers as much as we possibly can.
Heather Patrick:I'm providing the information and support and care coordination to help people move through that continuum. So that's when I think about the future for us over the next three years, it really is this idea of we will provide screenings, we'll always provide screenings, but I think it's more of now like what happens on the other side of the screening and making sure we've got the support and the information and the infrastructure to close those gaps as soon as possible.
Monica Guerrero:Right. And I think we're always gonna stay focused on our mission. Right? But I just think that, you know, we're reaching more people, but we're becoming more intentional about who we're working with, about the individuals that we're trying to educate. We're becoming more focused.
Monica Guerrero:Like we have very focused areas of who we feel is a priority today. And so I think that's going to help us to really concentrate on those areas. Know, like you mentioned, we're still going to do screenings. We're still going to help people. But you know, our our work is just going to become more intentional.
Monica Guerrero:And I love that because then we I feel like we can spend more time with the people who we feel need, the most vision care like now. Right. So yeah, yeah.
Heather Patrick:And I think that's kind of the beauty of the way you've laid it out as it gives us the opportunity to be very intentional and very focused on those populations that are at highest risk for vision loss and how we can respond to them. But also keeping this place of rent, Everybody needs to learn about eye health. Mean, if that is one thing I have learned on this job is we know the connection between eye health and overall health rate and we also know how you know, the healthcare and even the insurance component kind of separates vision out and, you know, subconsciously it's saying, this is a luxury or an option, right? And it's not, it's not an option to take care of your eye health. It's not a luxury.
Heather Patrick:It's absolutely essential to maintain your overall health. And so I think about you know that platform building that kind of messaging, that kind of education and bringing people along so that we're building this army of advocates, But I mean, that really want people to know and understand that eye health is essential to your overall health. And so instead of, I think, you know, we serve all ages and I think that we will still do that, right? But I also think now we just are taking the data and we're just more strategic about where we are going to target our resources to really make the biggest impact as soon as we can. And I think the goal is to really understand what works, how it works, and then scale and replicate that out.
Heather Patrick:Alright. So for our listeners who may may know our name, they may know one piece of what we do. How would you describe the full scope of what we do?
Monica Guerrero:I say we provide vision screenings, eye health education, and access to financial resources or navigation services. And job, and I always say, you know, I can't say this enough, but our public health messaging really is helping people understand the connection between vision and overall health. Yeah. We are a small but mighty team that does a lot of work, we have some wonderful volunteers who also help us to reach communities across the state. But there's a lot more that has to be done in Texas is a big state.
Monica Guerrero:Our goal is, you know, to try to reach as many people as we can as best as we can.
Heather Patrick:Yeah. When I think about, so I think about the conversation we just had a couple of weeks ago about medication. And my goal is that anyone that's taking medication is empowered and knows you ask the question, how does this impact my vision? Right? Because majority of people are not asking that question.
Heather Patrick:And providers are not always giving that information, right? But when I see a majority of people starting to ask that question, and knowing that medication they're on could potentially impact their vision, then I know we've made strides, I know we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. When you're going to the eye doctor and you're asking what your eyes look like and are there risks, I know we're doing what we're supposed to be doing because that tells me then people are listening and they're taking action and really what it says to me is they value their health, right, and going to the eye doctor is one way to invest in that and in yourself and in your health.
Heather Patrick:And I think that when people really start to make that shift, I will feel like we have really accomplished I think what we've set out to accomplish for the next three years. You know, think most people go to the eye doctor like talked about earlier, most people go to the eye doctor because they can't see and or they wear glasses or contacts, right?
Heather Patrick:But there are so many people out there that could benefit by going to get a regular exam, because it's not just about glasses and so I think you know that to me is and I see some of that happening but that's that's what excites me is that that potential, that possibility of watching that learning, watching people make different decisions. So ultimately it all comes back to and I think this is what we drive for. And really I think it's probably for me what is one of my whys is really just empowering individuals to take care of themselves the best way they can with the support that is out there. Because ultimately for me, I don't want anyone to lose their vision because they didn't know a resource was available. Know, when I worked in cancer, you know, that's what drove me.
Heather Patrick:Didn't I watched people die because they didn't know the resources that were available. Right, I think that for me is the driving force when I think about organizations like PBT. It's the power to provide that information, those resources, right, so that people are not losing their vision. More than seventy percent, seventy five percent, eighty percent of vision loss is preventable, right. There's so much we can do to solve this issue.
Heather Patrick:And that's really when I think about like when I think about the scope of work that PBT is doing, that's it. It is to prevent vision loss. End of story. I mean, we do drives towards that prevention.
Monica Guerrero:Yeah, right. Yeah. And I think also helping to build people's confidence, right? So I love to hear stories or even read stories is a lot of our listeners don't know that a lot of our clients make, they make the time to write stories and they mail them in on paper. Sometimes they email, sometimes they mail.
Monica Guerrero:But when we read stories about, you know, I went last year and I was scared and I went again this year and I knew what to ask. And for us, you know, helping to increase that confidence is also very powerful. But you know, the prevention side too, it's also knowing that we help to, help to build, that confidence and not just their knowledge, but in the prevention side of something that could have been worse or something that could have happened. So that's always nice to hear our clients, talk about how prevent blindness made an impact on their lives.
Heather Patrick:I mean, think about the young man who talked about, you know, he couldn't see, he couldn't get help, he came to us, we helped him and he could finish his Masters. I mean, story stays with me, right? Because that is for me, that's the why, right? Not just a pair of glasses, it's the pathway to your life. Right.
Heather Patrick:And so that stays with me, but when I think about and that's it, that's what we do. A nutshell, connect people to their dreams, their hopes, right? We give them back that hope of I can do this because I can see what I'm doing. Alright, so what do you think has changed in our communities over the past year? What stands out to you?
Heather Patrick:Is there a common theme?
Monica Guerrero:I would say the lack of access continues to be a big barrier for a lot of families and adults who are trying to receive the eye care they need and they just can't. Whether it's distance, whether it's finding a provider who will take their insurance, who will take Medicaid or CHIP for their families, or who can help to provide services that they can afford. Right. And so if, you know, if they can't, we try to do our best to help out with the resources that are available to them.
Monica Guerrero:But if not, you know, that's where our work also comes in, where we try to find or locate providers that can help provide them the care that they need regardless of where they're at. And so access to care continues to be a big one.
Heather Patrick:Yep, I would agree. So every nonprofit goes through seasons of growth and momentum. How would you describe this current chapter for us?
Monica Guerrero:I think for us it's growth. I would say it's growth. I know we talked about we talked a little bit about it already, but more, intentional growth and more focused growth and really helping people to understand why our work matters and helping our partners understand why our work matters. Whenever we approach new partners, one of the questions that we sometimes make it is why should I work with prevent blindness? Right.
Monica Guerrero:And so it's not just making the clients understand, you know, why they should, receive help from prevent blindness, but it's making our partners or potential partners understand why you should work with PBT. And then, you know, once they start working with us, it's like they can't get enough of us. Right? So it's like when are you coming back for another screening event? But you know, us really it's, it's hearing them say you just don't understand the impact that you've made on the communities that we serve.
Monica Guerrero:And, and that's a pretty powerful message. Growth, especially in areas where we're currently not at. And so I think, maybe seeking, you know, areas where we feel we should be at, I think it's also part of our, our growth for the next couple of years. Advocacy for sure. And then education.
Monica Guerrero:And I can't stress the importance enough about, you know, the need for education across, across everybody, not just kids, but you know, children, families, adults, and even aging adults, because I feel like the needs for working adults is so different for aging adults. But it's also helping them to understand whether it's that client who has Medicare and says, well, you know, they say the eye exam is covered, but not glasses.
Monica Guerrero:Can you help educate me a little And bit kind of what you talked about was the care coordination part is like really helping clients to navigate the different because for some people it's difficult. And so it's us taking the time to be able to navigate them towards the pathway to actually reaching, you know, the end, the end goal, which is for them to get the eye care that they need.
Heather Patrick:Well, and I think also too, I mean, we've, we've heard this feedback, we've heard it from people that are part of PBT that were outside of PBT, but this desire to have this coordinating body, right? Because I do think especially for the state of Texas, you know, it'd be great to have this plan of how all the different groups can leverage what we're doing and come together and, you know, serve all different parties.
Heather Patrick:And I think about even primary care and the requests we've had from primary care and family practitioners to educate their staff. Because one I will say one of the early episodes with Doctor. Edmond, we talked about how ophthalmology used to be part of the core rotation in med school and now it's not, you have to request it.
Heather Patrick:And that stood out to me. Yeah, and so I think that, like I'll kind of read it, it just continues to send the message of it's optional, it's not part of the core component, right. And I think there are, you know, primary care doctors and family practitioners that they don't know all the resources that are out there that could help their patients on that.
Heather Patrick:I mean they're they have to know so much already, right, and they only have a limited amount of time to have these conversations but I think for us that side to not forgetting, it's not just kind of the general public but it's also working with our providers to educate them on the resource we can be to them and to their patients. And also the connection just again between primary care and eye care.
Heather Patrick:And I think that's an important component. All right, so you know behind every great mission and impact really are its people, right? So tell us about the people that are part of PBT. What stands out to you kind of about the team, about the kind of person, you know, in general about the people that are supporting this mission.
Monica Guerrero:I think that we're all focused on one goal. That's our big, you know, our big takeaway is as us being dedicated team members that we, you know, and not just our team, but I, you know, when I think of team, I think about our staff, our donors, our volunteers, our board members, everybody who really helps to move the mission forward. And, you know, I feel like we all contribute because we're all focused on our one goal, which is to prevent blindness and preserve sight. But also their passion, their commitment, and really just being consistent and helping and really, wanting to do the job as best as they can. Yeah.
Heather Patrick:Okay, so when you think about I Spyring for the next year, what do you hope we do? What do you think would be some great kind of ideas or topics? What haven't we covered that we need to cover?
Monica Guerrero:I would love to see, the different health conditions broken out separately and how that's connected to vision. So I don't know if you remember, but during our staff retreat, I said, oh my gosh, let me show you something. And it was a kidney patient who received a And kidney the whole reason he found out he was going into kidney failure was because of an eye exam. So if he hears this podcast episode, hopefully he's motivated to come on. But I think about it and I'm like, an eye exam led him to receiving the kidney care that he needed and then eventually the transplant.
Monica Guerrero:But he said he had no idea. And it all started with high blood pressure. But just really breaking out the different health conditions and how people just are not aware how your vision can be affected. Heart, kidney, all your different part, liver, everything, medications, brain.
Heather Patrick:Brain injury.
Monica Guerrero:And so it's just really helping to bring that message in a little bit more. Focusing in on those messages a little bit more, I think would help to really make people understand why vision is so important. Because like you said, I mean, everybody thinks about vision is going to get you a pair of glasses, but nobody thinks about going in to get an eye exam and your blood pressure is high and the optometrist rushes you to the emergency room and all of a sudden you're on the list for a kidney transplant. That wasn't the goal going The to get the eye exam that goal was to get a pair of glasses, but there was a lot more, but to think how that saved his life. It's just really honing in on those messages.
Heather Patrick:Yeah, I think that is a great suggestion. All right, well this past year has been amazing. We have listened, we have learned, we have laughed. It's just really been an incredible journey and I look forward to continuing. Do think that is a great suggestion.
Heather Patrick:I think kind of breaking down piece by piece, and having those experts share with us would be phenomenal. And I think continuing to have people across The United States, that are leaders in healthcare and vision, and continuing these conversations of how we help people engage and, really take care of their eye health and the communities, is really important and I look forward to continuing the conversations into the next year. So, alright, so as always, thank you to our listeners. I hope you've enjoyed this past year as much as we have. And always you can join the PBT family.
Heather Patrick:We always are looking for volunteers for advocates. Donors come participate in our events across the state and so just reach out to us. We'd love to have you join our movement and the PBT family. So and you know you can follow us Eyespiring and we always end with tell us what your vision is. Thanks and have a great day.