Eye Clinic Expansion and Optical Shop Grand Opening!
On August 14 Lynn Community Health Center celebrated the expansion of its Eye Clinic and the grand opening of its new Optical Shop Everybody’s Optical. Congressman John Tierney joined health center staff and officials from the New England Eye Institute and the New England College of Optometry for a ribbon cutting. “This health center is a shining example of how to improve the health of our communities,” he said. “Lynn Community Health Center saw a need and they met it. Health care is accessible in Lynn because of the work they do.”
“The Eye Clinic opened two years ago in response to several pressing needs among the health center’s 40,000 patients,” said Lori Abrams Berry, Executive Director. “We serve 2500 diabetic patients, all of whom need annual eye exams to screen for vision problems related to the disease. We also serve more than 8,500 African American patients, who are at significantly higher risk for glaucoma, a treatable disease if it is caught early enough. Finally, we serve more than 9,000 children who need access to affordable vision care and eyeglasses.”
The clinic operates in collaboration with the New England Eye Institute and the New England College of Optometry. The health center’s four optometrists are also faculty at the College. “This affiliation allows us to see more patients because we can work with optometry students on rotation,” said Michelle Zickel, OD, Eye Clinic Director. “There is such need in this community we want to be able to see as many patients as possible.” “Our students gain tremendous experience here,” said Jody Fleit, CEO of New England Eye Institute. “They are able to work with an incredibly diverse population, some of whom have very complicated needs.”
Everybody’s Optical is the retail outlet of the Eye Clinic, selling affordable eyewear to both patients and the community. “Anyone with a current prescription can come here and purchase glasses,” said Victoria Rowen, Eye Clinic Optician. “You do not have to be our patient to shop here.”
See news coverage in Lynn Item
Want more information about the Eye Clinic?
Pictured: LCHC Board Member Donna Richemond; Mayor’s Chief of Staff Jamie Cerulli; Congressman John Tierney; LCHC Optician Victoria Rowen; LCHC Eye Clinic Director Michelle Zickel; LCHC Executive Director Lori Abrams Berry; New England Eye Institute Jody Fleit; and LCHC Board Member Marilyn Smith.