Staff
A VFA planning meeting with the Health Minister of Guanajuato, Dr. Ector Jaime Ramirez Barba, and his staff. Dr. George Bresnick is at near right.
George Bresnick, MD, MPA
Medical director, co-founder
Dr. George Bresnick is a public health ophthalmologist, with 21 years’ experience in academic ophthalmology and 12 years’ experience in international and domestic eye public health. He is an internationally recognized expert in the medical and public health aspects of diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Bresnick was a Principal Investigator at the University of Wisconsin in the National Eye Institute-sponsored studies (DRS/ETDRS) that demonstrated the value of laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, and laid the groundwork for the telemedicine-based blindness prevention programs for diabetes. With Vision for All he has helped design and implement a number of public health eye care programs in minority and underserved communities for early detection and treatment of vision-threatening eye diseases. He is currently Clinical Professor at the University of California Berkeley, School of Optometry, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Chief Medical officer for EyePACS LLC.
A patient collects eyeglasses from Geri Hendriksen (VFA), who directed the eyeglasses and safety glasses programs in Nevis, West Indies.
Geri Hendriksen
executive Director, co-founder
Geri Hendriksen has extensive experience in community health, including managing a mobile van-based health outreach program for homeless people in Rochester, NY, and for underserved rural populations in the Finger Lakes counties. She has administered a number of the VFA programs including those in Nevis, West Indies; Guanajuato, Mexico; Boston, MA; and Rochester, NY.
Advisory Board
Raymond E. Hubbe
Dr. Ray Hubbe is a practicing ophthalmologist in Northampton, MA, with subspecialty training in cornea and external disease. He began volunteering as an ophthalmologist in the VFA’s Nevis Eye Care Program (NECP) in 2008, and has been the Director of the NECP since 2010. During his tenure with the Program he has expanded the scope and magnitude of the eye care services, recruited a substantial group of highly qualified ophthalmological and optometric volunteers from the U.S., and upgraded the medical and surgical equipment for the Program through donations and Nevis Island Administration support.
Ginger Burn
Ginger Burn has worked with Dr. Hubbe in the Nevis Eye Care Program since 2008, providing administrative support in the Eye Clinic, and overseeing the eyeglasses and eye safety programs.
Russell Osnes (Emeritus)
Dr. Russell Osnes is a practicing optometrist in Eagan Minnesota. Throughout his career, Dr. Osnes has been active in the Minnesota Optometric Association. He volunteered in the Nevis Eye Care program from 2001-2008, providing state of the art optometric care for the Nevis patients.