EEF Board of Director
One day I was speaking with a friend and described symptoms that turned out to be severe disease of my retina. My friend said, “Well, one of the best people in the country is right here, Dr. Andy Eller.” It was the middle of a winter storm and Dr. Eller walked to the clinic to see me wearing his heavy snow boots and warm woolen hat. It was sort of a miracle. This encounter happened about six years ago, and with every visit to the Eye and Ear Institute, I have felt a personal response of caring, from receptionists, technicians, residents, right through to the specialists.
It is my deep desire to make the opportunity of my experience of excellent treatment available to each and every member of my African American community. African Americans are more likely to develop cataracts and glaucoma than any other group, and for those reasons, five and four times respectively, more likely to suffer blindness. I joined The Eye & Ear Foundation board because one of the board’s goals is to bring much needed eye care to populations that have been medically underserved. In the leadership and membership of the board, I see great compatibility with my desire to overcome barriers that cause people to be left out of a circle of competent medical care.