Nov. 21, 2024 — Prevent Blindness has announced six new members to its board of directors during the organization’s annual board meeting on Nov. 18:
Karen Allison, M.D., MBA, FACS, currently serves as the chief of glaucoma and glaucoma fellowship director, in addition to leading the population medicine glaucoma division, at the University of Rochester's Flaum Eye Institute. Dr. Allison will also serve as the chair of Prevent Blindness’s scientific committee.
The 2024 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision, president and CEO of GPN Technologies C. Edward Buffington has 45 years of experience in the optical industry. He launched OfficeMate Software, which was later acquired by Marchon and then VSP, and later began his private consulting firm, The Buffington Company, before joining GPN Technologies.
With an optical field career that spans more than 30 years, CEO and co-founder of MyEyeDr. Sue Downes oversees a network of more than 850 optometry practices. Additionally, Downes serves as the cochair of Highpoint University’s Elizabeth Miller Strickland Women’s Leadership Council and health care expert in residence for High Point’s Access to Innovators Program. She was honored with the Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award in 2018.
Ophthalmologist and specialist in cornea and external diseases, with prior service on the Prevent Blindness board, Stephanie Marioneaux, M.D., also has experience serving on the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) board of trustees and was the chair of the governing board of the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.
Over the last 20 years, CEO of Delasco Kim Schuy Greenberg has held multiple leadership roles at companies including EssilorLuxottica and Alcon Laboratories. Additionally, she has served in a nonprofit capacity both domestically and globally, improving access to eye care in developing communities.
Associate professor at the Ohio State University College of Optometry Dean A. VanNasdale Jr., O.D., Ph.D., M.S., FAAO, conducts patient-based research and develops public health materials to raise awareness on the importance of eye care and the burden of vision impairment. He has served on the advisory committee to the Center for Vision and Population Health at Prevent Blindness and has earned several awards throughout his career, including the 2023 Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health.
Additionally, Joan Wahlman, president of JD Healthcare Consultants, was elected chief volunteer officer liaison to the national board. Amy Pulles, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio, will serve as the affiliate board liaison. The organization also recognized the contributions of James E. Anderson and Paul Howes by naming them emeritus board members.
For a complete list of board members, click here.