Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association Meetings held at Miami Lighthouse

Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association Meeting held at Miami Lighthouse on September 2025

Members of the Miami Dade Optometric Physicians Association (MDOPA) held their September dinner meeting at Miami Lighthouse. In our Miami Lighthouse Low Vision Solutions Center we welcomed our new Manager of Community Engagement, John Garcia. Virginia Jacko, President and CEO, gave an overview to guests about Miami Lighthouse programs and asked they never tell a patient that "there is nothing more that we can do for you" and rather say "Miami Lighthouse is the next step on your journey". Dr. Carlos Mendoza-Santiesteban, University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Principal Investigator "Cortical Visual Impairment Diagnostic Indicators and Educational Best Practices for Affected Children", told attendees about the importance of raising awareness and diagnosing Cortical Visual Impairment and about the collaborative grant between Miami lighthouse and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. The evening's music was provided by Miami Lighthouse Latin Grammy Award Finalist Music Program professors Tony Cobo and Victor Castillo. The event was sponsored by Tarsus Pharmaceuticals. To purchase low vision aides and appliances visit lighthouseshop.org.

Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association Meeting held at Miami Lighthouse on November 2024

Members of the Miami Dade Optometric Physicians Association (MDOPA) held their November dinner meeting at Miami Lighthouse. Virginia Jacko, President and CEO of Miami Lighthouse, welcomed guests and asked they never tell a patient that "there is nothing more that we can do for you" and rather say "Miami Lighthouse is the next step on your journey". Dr. Scott Gartner, Miami Lighthouse Low Vision Optometrist, gave a continuing education presentation on "Remaining Independent with Low Vision". The evening's music was provided by Miami Lighthouse nationally recognized Music Program and the event was sponsored by Apellis Pharmaceuticals. Our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program was established by MDOPA members in 1992 as the Dr. Bruce Heiken Memorial Fund.

Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association Meeting Held at Miami Lighthouse on October 2023

Members of the Miami Dade Optometric Physicians Association (MDOPA) held their September dinner meeting at Miami Lighthouse. Dr. Eric Chow, MDOPA President, welcomed attendees and Virginia Jacko, President and CEO of Miami Lighthouse, introduced a video about our Miami Lighthouse Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program which was established by MDOPA members in 1992 as the Dr. Bruce Heiken Memorial Fund. Dr. Carlos Mendoza-Santiesteban, Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, along with Francesca Crozier-Fitzgerald, Director of Miami Lighthouse CVI Collaborative Center and Tania Perez, Associate Director of Miami Lighthouse CVI Collaborative Center gave a continuing education presentation on "CVI : From the Clinical and Educational Perspectives". The evening's music was provided by Miami Lighthouse nationally recognized Music Program and the event was sponsored by Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals.

Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association Meeting Held at Miami Lighthouse on October 5, 2015

Members of the Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association (MDOPA) held their October dinner meeting at Miami Lighthouse. Dr. Teresita Bollar, MDOPA President welcomed attendees who viewed a video about the Miami Lighthouse Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program which was established by MDOPA members in 1992 as the Dr. Bruce Heiken Memorial Fund. MDOPA member and Miami Lighthouse Board Director Dr. Alan Levitt gave a continuing education presentation “The Benefits and Dangers of Blue Light for Your Eyes.” The evening’s music was provided by Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Program instructors, guitarist Tony Cobo and violinist Oman Pedreira.

Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association Meeting Held at Miami Lighthouse on September 10th, 2012

Members of the Miami-Dade Optometric Physicians Association (MDOPA) held their September meeting at Miami Lighthouse on September 10, 2012. Miami Lighthouse President and CEO Virginia Jacko and Miami Lighthouse Board Director and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Senior Optometric Physician Dr. Maricarmen Perez-Blanco welcomed members of MDOPA. Attendees viewed a video about Miami Lighthouse Programs entitled “See The Light,” and Dr. Scott Gartner, Miami Lighthouse Low Vision Consulting Optometrist, gave a continuing education presentation “Remaining Independent With Low Vision.” Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Program™ instructors, guitarist Harold Cobo and violinist Oman Pedreira provided, the evening’s music. Dinner was generously sponsored by Essilor Labs and Transitions Optical.

Dade County Optometric Association Meeting Held
at Miami Lighthouse on October 25th, 2011

More than 40 members of the Dade County Optometric Association (DCOA) attended their monthly General Meeting held at Miami Lighthouse on October 25th. They were welcomed by Miami Lighthouse President and CEO Virginia Jacko, Miami Lighthouse Board Director and DCOA Adjunct Board Member Dr. Alan P. Levitt, and DCOA President Dr. Maria Carmen Perez-Blanco. Dr. Rosemary Gonzalez, Miami Lighthouse Low Vision Consulting Optometrist, presented “A Low Vision Case Study” focusing on the importance of low vision assessments. Attending DCOA members received one hour of continuing education credit. Dinner was generously sponsored by Essilor Laboratories of America.

To make an appointment for a low vision assessment at Miami Lighthouse please call 786-362-7479.

Miami Lighthouse Hosts
Miami Ophthalmological Society December Meeting 2009

On December 10, 2009, the Miami Lighthouse hosted a meeting of the Miami Ophthalmological Society. Attendees were welcomed by CEO Virginia Jacko and Dr. Henry Trattler, Executive Director of the Miami Ophthalmological Society, and heard a testimonial from MLB low vision client Wendell Beard.

Miami Lighthouse is AER accredited distinguishing that an agency or school operates at the highest level of quality and is positioned to generate the outcomes needed by the clients.

Miami Lighthouse received the coveted Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2023 Nonprofit Business Innovative Excellence NOVO Award with an organizational budget of $2 million and above.

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has received 14 consecutive 4-star ratings, the highest rating possible, from the nation's premier independent nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. Attaining a 4-star rating indicates that our organization adheres to sector best practices, exceeds industry standards, and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.

Early Intervention Blind Babies Program Named the Children's Trust 2016 Program of the Year. This most prestigious award recognizes this Early Intervention Program, in particular, for including parents as teachers.

Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™ is a Florida gold seal and nationally Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE)

Miami Lighthouse was recognized at the 2015 Florida Blue Foundation Sapphire Awards luncheon as an organization that has demonstrated excellence and innovation in community health.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2015 Beacon Award in Education at the 13th Annual Beacon Council Awards.

Miami Lighthouse is a two-time Charity Partner (2013 and 2014) of the Marlins Foundation and a 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Legacy Partner. Our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program has received over $300,000 in charitable donations through these partnerships.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2008 Concern Award from Health Foundation of South Florida.

Miami Lighthouse received a Silver medal at the 2016 Miami Today Gold Medal Awards Ceremony.

Miami Lighthouse named "Best of Miami" Charity 2017 by the New Times.

Miami Lighthouse received United Homecare’s 2012 Thelma Gibson Community Service Award at the 18th Annual Claude Pepper Memorial Awards Ceremony.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious South Florida Business Journal 2011 Excellence in Health Care Award in the Community Outreach category.

Miami Lighthouse honored by being named the recipient of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 2010 Non-Profit Business Diamond Award1.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2020 award for "Best in Nonprofit" campaign by PRWeek referred to as the "Oscars of the PR industry".

Miami Lighthouse is proud to be a strategic partner with ABLE United, Florida's disability savings program, to learn more visit www.ableunited.com

Supporting nearly 200 comprehensive eye exams in Lee County through our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program.