(PRESS RELEASE) ATLANTA — Prevent Blindness Georgia (PBGA), the state’s leading eye health organization dedicated to preserving sight and preventing blindness, announced its 8th annual Night for Sight Gala which will be held on October 26, 2024 at The Whitley Hotel Buckhead.
Since its inception in 1965, PBGA’s mission has focused on ensuring that every individual has access to essential eye care and vision-saving treatments. In the 2023 program year, the nonprofit served over 55,800 preschool, elementary, middle school children, and economically disadvantaged adults who live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
During the event, PBGA will recognize the 2024 Person of Vision, Dr. Stephanie Vanderveldt. This award honors an invaluable individual who emulates excellence in the eye care community.
Dr. Stephanie Vanderveldt
“We can’t wait to celebrate Dr. Vanderveldt at the 8th annual Night for Sight Gala this October,” said Jill Thornton, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Georgia. “Her passion for restoring sight to Georgians is inspiring and deserves recognition at the highest levels.”
Dr. Vanderveldt is a leader in ophthalmology in Georgia. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Princeton, she graduated from Duke University Medical School where she received a merit-based Senior Scholarship for Excellence in Research and Academics, was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, and was Valedictorian of her class. She served as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University and completed her Ophthalmology Residency and Retina Fellowship at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where she was selected as Chief Resident, which is one of the most prestigious retina fellowships available to ophthalmologists in the United States. Now, she works at Georgia Retina, sustaining her passion for making a difference in people’s lives by restoring sight.
“I am incredibly honored to be named Prevent Blindness Georgia’s Person of Vision 2024. The work that Prevent Blindness Georgia does to provide access to vision care for underserved and vulnerable communities throughout Georgia is vitally important. Providing early access to vision screening for children can change the entire trajectory of their lives,” said Dr. Stephanie Vanderveldt, 2024 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision and Ophthalmologist at Georgia Retina. “I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to spread the word about this fantastic organization and its very important mission.”
At this year’s Gala all proceeds will be devoted to PBGA’s vital adult and children’s vision services which will enable them to expand and reach even more school systems and indigent adults across Georgia.
Guests at the event will support PBGA’s critical work serving Georgia’s children and adults in need of certified vision screening, comprehensive exams, prescription eyeglasses, and vision care. They can enjoy spirits, great food, and live music provided by Phillip Arrington.
For Tickets, sponsorships, and more information, email: events@pbga.org