JHF Tours the Eye & Ear Foundation’s Grant-Funded Project, the eyeVan
Type: News
Pictured from left to right: Brenda Kirk, Zeila Hobson, Paula Sepulveda Beltran, and Dr. Waxman.
In April, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) issued a $90,000 grant to the Eye & Ear Foundation to support the University of Pittsburgh's Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology hiring of a project manager for a new initiative aimed at transforming community care for older adults.
Zeila Hobson, with a background in tech research and behavioral studies, has been appointed as the Remote Access Initiatives Manager, overseeing efforts with the "eyeVan," a mobile clinic providing eye and hearing care to underserved communities in the Pittsburgh region.
“I’ve always been passionate about uplifting underserved community voices and championing social justice initiatives; this role feels like the intersection of that passion and my professional abilities,” Hobson said. “I am so grateful and excited for the opportunity to work with the Ophthalmology Community Outreach & Remote Access Initiatives team to execute our shared vision and see the results – puns fully intended.”
The initiative, "Vision and Hearing Care Without Bounds: A New Model of Care for Older Adults", aims to shift away from traditional clinic-based care, exploring the effectiveness of remote testing, technology, and telehealth supported by community health workers. The eyeVan, part of the Guerilla Eye Service program, will deliver care directly to communities in need, in coordination with local clinics and schools.
Karen Feinstein receives an eye exam in the eyeVan.
Evan “Jake” Waxman, MD, PhD, Director of the UPMC Mercy Eye Center, emphasized the importance of working with community health partners to determine where the van will go. The project, now in its data collection phase, aims to establish a sustainable model for mobile clinics, with a research paper expected by September 2025.
"Older adults are at risk for vision loss due to cataract, macular degeneration and glaucoma. They are often faced with transportation and mobility barriers that prevent timely care or require the assistance of a family member to receive it. EyeVan, UPMC's mobile eye exam room, will enable us to bring eye care to where people live in assisted living and senior high-rises in our community,” Dr. Waxman said. “Our "eye care for older adults" project is part of a unique remote access initiative at UPMC to improve access and follow up for eye care by bringing care closer to where people are."