Montgomery County School Vision Program Honored

The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University was recently honored with the Montgomery County School Nurse Association’s (MCSNA) School Health Partnership Award.

TEI was selected in recognition of its School Vision Programs, which provides comprehensive eye care services and eyeglasses throughout the academic year to students in Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties.

The award was presented Tuesday, November 13 during the MCSNA Fall Dinner Meeting at The Empress Room in Blue Bell, Pa.  Dr. Michael H. Mittelman, president of Salus University, Dr. Brandy Scombordi, pediatric optometrist and coordinator of TEI’s School Vision Programs, Dr. Luis Trujillo, main provider at TEI’s Norristown satellite and Cathie Muhr, optician who also helps facilitate care were all on hand to accept the honor.

“Thank you to each and every school nurse because we wouldn’t be able to do this program if it wasn’t for your help and support,” said Dr. Scombordi. “We enjoy being able to make a difference in the lives of so many children and we’re very humbled that you would select us to be honored.”

Donna Gill, school nurse in the Norristown Area School District, spoke highly of the success of the program in her school and expressed sincere thanks to TEI’s vision care team.

“Over the years, hundreds of children were able to be seen by an eye doctor and receive two pairs of eyeglasses,” said Gill. “We’re so appreciative to The Eye Institute because this program has been such a great resource to our schools.”

In the Norristown Area School District, eye care is provided through a school-based vision clinic. On a rotating basis and based on need, portable exam equipment is transported directly to each school. While in several other Montgomery County school districts including Cheltenham, Jenkintown, and Abington, eye care is provided using the Mobile Vision Care Unit. The “Big Red Bus,” as it is affectionately nicknamed, includes all the essential equipment needed to complete a comprehensive vision exam.

Through the School Vision Program, students receive an eye exam and if needed are fitted with two pairs of glasses – one for home and one for school. In the 2017-2018 academic year, TEI’s vision care team provided comprehensive eye exams to more than 300 children and dispensed more than 500 pair of eyeglasses to children in school districts throughout Montgomery County.