Beyond borders: optometric education, humanitarian service, and standards
This Annual Meeting will explore how to move humanitarian optometry from goodwill to lasting impact. It will bring together US and international SVOSH chapters to discuss how their engagement in humanitarian work can enrich optometric education, build culturally competent and empathetic clinicians, and strengthen optometry’s global standing. By making the educational and professional value of humanitarian work more visible, the discussion can help secure stronger institutional support, deeper international partnerships, and more meaningful student and faculty exchange.
The meeting will also address the need for updated clinical guidance to ensure visiting optometric teams work safely, ethically, and within an appropriate scope of practice. As VOSH/International activity expand in countries where optometry is still developing, updated clinical guidance is essential for quality patient care, supporting local optometrists, and maintaining the reputation of humanitarian optometry. Participants will share their perspectives and help shape updated VOSH clinical guidelines.
During the meeting, we will honour the recipients of this year’s Harry Zeltzer Lifetime Achievement Award and the Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Be part of this growing movement.
You are warmly invited to join us in person or online.
