(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO – Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, announced that Torrey DeKeyser, executive director of the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, has been elected as chairperson of the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors. The vote was held March 2 at the 2018 Prevent Blindness Spring Board of Directors Meeting in St. Petersburg, FL.
At the ESFA, DeKeyser is responsible to the EyeSight Foundation governing board in all aspects of the foundation’s work, including directing all administrative and program activities, overseeing development and implementation of grant-making procedures and initiatives, and ensuring the effective use of financial resources.
DeKeyser has volunteered in various roles for Prevent Blindness, including co-chairing the Public Health and Policy Committee, guiding the development of its public policy roadmap, participating in its annual Eyes on Capitol Hill patient advocacy event, and serving as the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors Secretary.
“As someone who has lived with a vision impairment since childhood, I understand the challenges that millions of Americans face. I am honored to be chosen as the new Chairperson of the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors,” said DeKeyser. “And, I am very excited to work closely with my fellow board members, Prevent Blindness staff and volunteers, to ensure that all those across the age spectrum have the information they need, and access to quality eyecare that is necessary to protect the gift of healthy vision.”
In addition to her work with Prevent Blindness, DeKeyser is currently a member of Grantmakers in Health and serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Council of Foundations. She is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, the Birmingham Women’s Committee of 100, the American Heart Association Circle of Red, and the Junior League of Birmingham as a Sustainer.
“Torrey DeKeyser has been a key part of the Prevent Blindness family for many years. With her vast experience and expertise in the world of vision, philanthropy, public health and public policy, we are very excited to have her lead our distinguished Board of Directors in our sight-saving mission,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Additionally, Prevent Blindness offers our tremendous thanks and appreciation to our outgoing Board Chair, Richard Sanchez, for his commitment and impressive leadership.”