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    In the Community Vision VBA News

    PAVF Grants $20,000 to Underinsured Pennsylvanians for Vision Health

    Posted on by Dr. Andrew Leitzel

    pennsylvania vision foundationThe Pennsylvania Vision Foundation provides coverage and care to those who need it most. As a 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation, our purpose is to conduct and finance projects to foster and preserve human eyesight through the science of optometry in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By partnering with many local, community-based non-profit organizations, the Foundation’s primary Vision Benefit Program provided essential vision exams, prescription lenses, and frames to over 3,600 underinsured Pennsylvanians eligible for this benefit. In 2018 the foundation granted $20,000 to help drive programs of partner agencies aiding their ability to connect lives with the essential gift of sight and healthy vision.

    Vision Resource Center of Berks County (VRC Berks), Reading, PA

    VRC Berks is an affiliate agency of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind. They have served the Berks County community for over 85 years. Providing an array of programs including: Sight loss support groups, adult socialization, adult counseling, vision health education, hispanic outreach, and child vision screenings. The grant will be used towards the cost of implementing, administrating, and marketing the Foundation’s Vision Benefit Program for individuals deemed eligible.

    Centre Volunteers In Medicine (CVIM), State College, PA

    CVIM has been serving Centre County since 2003 by providing medical care, dental care, pharmacy, case management, and medical assistance at no cost to qualified, uninsured patients. CVIM is an affiliate of the Free Clinic Association of PA. They receive no federal or state funding and drive a budget solely through community individuals, corporate donations, and private foundations. The grant will be used for funding a new marketing campaign designed to increase community awareness of the medical programs they provide alongside the Foundation’s Vision Benefit Program.

    FOCUS Pittsburgh Free Health Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA

    FOCUS Pittsburgh has a mission of trauma informed community development. They are a member of the Free Clinic Association of PA with a wide breadth of programs including family crisis intervention, workforce development, transportation, document recovery, and free health clinic. Grant funds will be allocated toward community outreach and marketing along with administration of the Foundation’s Vision Benefit program.

    The Foundation is a proud affiliate of Vision Benefits of America (VBA).

    About the Author

    Dr. Andrew Leitzel

    Dr. Andrew Leitzel

    Dr. Andrew Leitzel has over a decade of experience in the optometric industry. He is Owner/Partner of a multi-location primary eye care practice in central Pennsylvania. Dr. Leitzel is an active member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and past president of the central Pennsylvania Optometric Association. In 2017, he was awarded by his peers the prestigious Pennsylvania Optometrist of the Year Award.

    From 2008- 2012, Dr. Leitzel served as Director and Chairman of the Board for Tri-County Association for the Blind. While presiding over the board, he strategically planned, organized and successfully launched the Vision Rehab Center (VRC). VRC is a low vision rehab center that harmoniously unites the specialty care of a low vision center with social and occupational rehabilitation services to meet the needs of those who suffer from low vision. In addition, Dr. Leitzel played an integral role in the rebranding of Tri-County Association for the Blind. Today, it is known as Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania (VROCP).

    Dr. Leitzel was elected to the PA Vision Foundation in 2014, and was named Executive Director of the PA Vision Foundation in January 2017. He is responsible for overseeing daily operations, program developments, strategic planning and board administration. Dr. Leitzel has a strong passion for serving those less fortunate and vast experience in the non-profit sector, which will help drive the success of the Foundation.

    Dr. Leitzel resides in central Pennsylvania with his wife, two children and their dog, Lexie. In his free time, he enjoys boating, skiing, biking, sporting clays and of course, spending time with his family.

    The information contained above is intended to be educational in nature, does not constitute medical advice, and should not be relied on as a substitute for actual professional medical advice, care or treatment. If you have any vision, dental or other health related concerns, VBA encourages you to immediately contact your optometrist/ophthalmologist, dentist/orthodontist or any other competent, licensed, medical professional.