Leadership

Immediate Past President (2023-2025)

Michael Ciszek, OD, diplomate ABO, FVI

Dr. Ciszek graduated cum laude from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, as a triple major in biology, pre-med, and Spanish. Combining his interests, he spent several months studying in Arequipa, Peru at the Universidad Catolica de Santa Maria.  Later, he went on to the Illinois College of Optometry where he again graduated cum laude and did his graduate thesis on HIV and contact lens wear. Areas of specialty include specialty contact lenses, ocular surface disease, and providing care to LGBTQ patients in need. His local philanthropy is highlighted by his work with Howard Brown Health Center, an organization with a mission to promote health and wellness to underserved LGBTQ patients in Chicago. He is part of a dedicated group of doctors who provide consultation services to the contact lens industry, bringing new technologies to the marketplace. He has also been published in Optometric Management Magazine.  Dr. Ciszek’s experience with VOSH began In 2011 on a trip to Barranquilla Colombia. Immediately moved by the experience and the direct impact on the community, he has now been on a multitude of trips, including Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, and Mexico and is involved in domestic efforts to provide quality eye care to those in need in the USA..

President (2023-2025), Vice-President (2020-2023)

Héctor C. Santiago, OD, PhD, President, VOSH/International, 2023-2025

Dr. Santiago obtained his Master’s and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Texas at Houston and his Doctor of Optometry Degree from the New England College of Optometry.  Dr. Santiago has been involved in optometric education for 34 years. He was Dean of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry, Founding Dean of Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry and President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. He is currently a Professor and Director of Research at IAUPR School of Optometry and Chair of the Public Health Committee of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO). 

Vice President (2023-2025)

Victoria Molnar Weiss, OD, FVAO, FVI

Dr. Victoria Molnar Weiss has an undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary and graduated from the State University of New York College of Optometry in 1989. She joined SVOSH at SUNY in 1985 and has been a VOSH member ever since.  She traveled to Central America with VOSH-Northeast for 10 clinics.

She began her career working at the William F. Ryan Community Health Center in New York City, which is a landmark federally based clinic which has served as a model for many other clinics in NYC and elsewhere. Additionally she worked on site with the homeless and other underserved populations with the Kress Vision program and NY Downtown hospital throughout NYC.

After relocating to Central Virginia, Dr. Molnar Weiss helped to establish VOSH-Virginia (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity) and is the current President of VOSH-Virginia. She helped to found the RAM (Remote Area Medical) mission held in Wise, Virginia.  She also led 3 Clinics in New Orleans, following Hurricane Katrina, helped increase Virginia Clinics to 10 clinics a year and in all has been the Vision Director in over 80 domestic Clinics.

Dr. Weiss was President of the Board of Directors for Remote Area Medical Virginia 2014-2018.  She was on the RAM (Remote Area Medical) Board of Directors from 2017-2019.

She has a private practice in Fluvanna County with her husband Doug. She examines patients in over 15 nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well.

Dr. Weiss is a Fellow of the Virginia Academy of Optometry and a Fellow of VOSH International.

Dr. Weiss is Adjunct Faculty at SUNY State College of Optometry, The Franklin Harms Society Member-VOSH and a Lion’s Club Member.

Dr. Weiss is a 2016 Board Academy Graduate of the Center for Non Profit Excellence, received the Ken Studer Friend of the Virginia Rural Health Association Award 2016, the United Way of Southwest Virginia Volunteer of the Year in Health 2015 and was Humanitarian of the Year VOSH International 2015.

A special VOSH treat this year was to join SVOSH NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry in Roatan, Honduras with her husband Doug Weiss, O.D. and sons Jeremy and Justin.  They celebrated their engagement in Roatan at a VOSH clinic as students there 30 years ago!

Director, 2021-2024, TTP Committee

Kirsten D’Aversa Johnson, OD

A California native, Dr. Kirsten D’Aversa Johnson earned her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with cum laude honors at San Diego State University before moving to New York to attend the State University of New York College of Optometry. Pursuing her passion for providing eye care to children, she then completed a residency in Pediatric Optometry through the New England College of Optometry in Boston. She now practices pediatric optometry full-time at a private ophthalmology practice in Queens, New York. 
Kirsten has been active in VOSH/International since serving as President of the Student Chapter at her optometry school. In addition to attending mission trips to Mexico and Panama, she has served on the TTP and Chapter Relations Committees, and is passionate about furthering VOSH/International’s mission in innovative and sustainable ways. She also volunteers for the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry by reviewing continuing education lectures for potential COPE approved status. Outside of optometry she loves rock climbing, snowboarding, cooking, and live music- especially when her husband’s band is performing!

Director, 2022-2025

Beatriz Elizabeth Gómez Serna

Universidad Autónoma de la Laguna, Mexico

Optometrist Gómez Serna graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de la Laguna.  She is currently completing a diplomate in education.  She has over 22 years of experience as an optometrist.  She worked independently, on a specialized corneal and anterior segment clinic, and planned and designed the curriculum of the school of optometry at the Universidad Autónoma de La Laguna where she is the current Coordinator of the optometry program and the faculty adviser of the SVOSH-UAL chapter.

She coordinated the screening of over 20,000 high school students in Gomez Palacio, Durango in collaboration with the municipal government.

She is the Schools of Optometry representative at the Board of the Mexican Association of Schools, Faculties, Colleges, and Councils of Optometry (AMFECCO).  She is also a member of the education committee of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO). Optometrist Gomez is a member of the VOSH/International Latin American Advisory Committee. This year, she was recognized as one of the most influential women by Vision Monday.

Director, 2022-2025

Dr. Jairo Antonio Mercado, MSc, PhD

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN)

Dr. Antonio Mercado, graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua (UNAN) at Managua.  He completed an MSc in methodologies for scientific research and a Ph.D. in quality assurance of scientific research at UNAN.  Dr. Mercado is a lecturer in the faculty of medical sciences at UNAN-Managua and the faculty adviser of the SVOSH-UNAN chapter.  He coordinates the collaborative project between UNAN and VOSH/International on children’s vision and learning. 

Dr. Mercado chairs the Legislation Committee of the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics (ALDOO). He is also a board member of the Nicaraguan Association of Optometrists and Contactologists. He is a member of the VOSH/International Latin American Advisory Committee. In 2020, he was recognized by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) as Eye Health Hero under the category of future leaders.

Director (2018-2024)

Robert E. Molter, Jr., O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Molter was born in Southwest Lower Michigan and attended Ferris State University and subsequently The Ferris State College of Optometry (now The Michigan College of Optometry) in Big Rapids, Michigan, graduating in 1985.  He is married to Dr. Kimberly Molter, (FSCO/MCO 1988) and they have two grown children and one son-in-law.

Both Drs. Kim and Robert Molter practiced in Fort Myers, FL for the first decade of their professional lives.  Moving back to Northern Michigan in 1996, they developed several practices before retiring in 2015.  They then became adjunct clinical professors at their alma mater.  They have participated in several VOSH missions to Dominica. For the past three years, they have both served as VOSH Corps volunteers working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the Brien Holden Vision Institute as teachers at the new optometry program.  The first optometry class graduated recently and they are very happy to have been able to contribute to their success.

Dr. Molter became an Academy member in 1997, and passed the Board of Optometry certification test in 2013.  He is a past-president of the Southwest Florida Optometric Association, the Northwestern Michigan Optometric Association, and of his local Rotary Club chapter.

Director, 2022-2025

Tareq Nabhan, OD

Dr. Tareq Nabhan studied chemistry at Pittsburg State University and focused on chemical education at the graduate level at the University of Kansas. He taught at Kaplan Test Prep before starting optometry school in 2008 at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). He held leadership positions as a student and graduated with distinction in 2012. After private practice, he joined the college

as a full-time faculty member in 2019 and is developer and coordinator of an Introduction to Telehealth course, lead attending of the optometry unit at a multi-site federally qualified health center, serves on numerous college and university committees, and is active in research and development of hardware-software telehealth solutions.

Dr. Nabhan currently serves on the clinical advisory panel of OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation and the clinical advisory panel of RestoringVision. He was selected in 2020 to serve as UMSL’s faculty advisor to SVOSH. Dr. Nabhan has participated in more than twenty humanitarian clinics throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and South America. He is committed to strategically and creatively closing vision and eye care gaps through multilateral approaches while upholding cultural and social responsibilities domestic and abroad. Dr. Nabhan hopes to continue to engage students in didactic and clinical evidence-based instruction, to impart a level of curiosity that can drive pedagogy, discovery, and entrepreneurship, and support those inspired by humanitarianism.

Director (2022-2025), Board Secretary (2020-present), Chair Ambassadors Committee

Neelam Patadia, OD, FAAO

Dr. Patadia is a native from Illinois and graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry. She completed her optometric residency in primary care, with a focus on ocular disease and low vision, at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Oregon. Dr. Patadia is very passionate about providing high quality comprehensive eye care.  She believes that ocular health management is a key component to understanding one’s overall systemic health. Currently, Dr. Patadia is on faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Loyola University Medical Center. She also spends time working at the Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital.  Dr. Patadia was the grant recipient of the VOSH Ambassador Program in 2019. 

Being active is a large part of Dr. Patadia’s life, including rock climbing, yoga and running. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. 

Director (2018-2024), CHAIR, EXHIBITS COMMITTEE

Tracey Peterson

Director (2018-2024), Treasurer

Mark Rakoczy, OD

President VOSH-PA / Treasurer VOSH/International

Dr. Rakoczy graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He was a recipient of the Alumni Award for Academic Excellence, the Faculty Award for Clinical Excellence, and the Bausch & Lomb Softlens Award among others. He spent the next three years practicing in the US Army and then returned to Pennsylvania to run his private practice until retiring at the end of 2018.

He has been an active member of the Everett Lions Club for 28 years and has served in all board positions. He also has served on the board of the Southcentral Blind Association for over 25 years. He has been a member of VOSH-PA since 2010 and its President since 2012. In this role, he has organized several humanitarian clinics in Haiti, including the recent teaching clinic for last year’s students of the Haitian School of Optometry.

Director (2021-2023); Chair, VOSH Fellowship (FVI) Committee

Ann Slocum-Edmonds, OD, FVI

Dr. Slocum-Edmonds received her Doctorate in Optometry in 1989 from the New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA. Dr. Edmonds held positions as a clinical instructor at Pacific University College of Optometry and City University, London, England. As President of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, Oregon Chapter and Co-founder of Oregon Vision Coalition, Dr. Edmonds has coordinated and lead vision care missions in Oregon, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Albania, Peru and El Salvador. Dr. Edmonds is a three time Humanitarian Service Award recipient from Pacific University Amigos Student VOSH Organization. She has lived and practiced in Oregon since 1989 and spends her free time with her husband and two boys.

Chair, Data and Research Committee

Jeffrey L Weaver, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, FACHE, CAE, FVI

Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, MBA, MS, is the optometry director for Cornerstone Care, a federally qualified health center, in his hometown of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.  He is also a medical review officer and consultant on occupational eye and vision issues to government agencies and other organizations.  He is Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry and in group private family practice in St. Louis, Missouri.  He is a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry and The Ohio State University.

Throughout his career, he has balanced clinical, academic, administrative and military healthcare roles.  He is triple board certified as an optometrist, healthcare executive and association executive.  He is Immediate Past Chair of the American Academy of Optometry’s Section on Public Health and Environmental Vision.  He had a distinguished career in the U.S. Army Reserve as a medical platoon leader, clinical optometrist, healthcare administrator, researcher, instructor, commander and specialty chief of service.  He retired as a Colonel and a Legion of Merit recipient.  He has been active in humanitarian clinics, bringing much-needed eye care services to underserved populations.

Director (2023-2025)

Timothy A. Wingert, OD

Dr. Wingert is a Founder Member of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics and one of only three United States optometrists to have earned Fellowship in that organization. He was named a J. William Fulbright Scholar in 2005 and again in 2020 and has been named a Fulbright Specialist to Ghana. Before coming to RSO, Dr. Timothy Wingert was a Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, where he continues to hold the title of Professor Emeritus. While in Missouri, Dr. Wingert served as President of the Missouri Optometric Association, as well as being named Missouri Optometrist of the Year and St. Louis Optometrist of the Year. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Missouri Children’s Vision Commission for a four-year term beginning in 2008 and was the chair of the Commission in 2010. He is the Chair of VOSH Education Committee. Beyond curriculum development, much of his professional work has centered on access to care issues and providing optometric care to underserved populations. He has authored or co-authored over 100 refereed publications and peer-reviewed presentations, most of which have concentrated on access to care issues and providing Optometric care to populations in need.

Executive Director

Maria Arce-Moreira

Maria Arce-Moreira has over 25 years experience in the international development sector.  Most of her work was with international networks of NGOs and professional associations covering senior and project management, policy influencing and advocacy. Her working experience covers principally Latin America, Africa and Europe and a diverse range of thematic areas including environment, gender, human settlements, agriculture and health.  Her work on health issues includes sexual and reproductive health, infectious diseases, eye health and mental health.  Her interest in eye health was reinforced after her engagement with the World Council of Optometry where she led the policy influencing and strategic positioning of this professional body including the organisation of the 1^st World Congress of Optometry.  Since 2014 she works as a consultant supporting UK and international NGOs with fundraising, strategic advice, governance and management.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Sense International, an international NGO supporting people with deafblindness and their families, Age International and the Hope Centre.  Mrs Arce-Moreira holds a MSc in Urban Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. She originally comes from Bolivia and currently resides in the United Kingdom.

Legal Counsel

John A. Gehrig, Esq., FVI

Mr. Gehrig graduated from Harvard University in 1958 and the University of Michigan Law School in 1963, and then practiced law in Cincinnati for 19 years before moving to Florida. Arriving in Florida, he took a Masters in International Law at the University of Miami and then went to work for Orange County, Florida, where he became County Attorney. Mr. Gehrig’s first VOSH trip was with VOSH Ohio in 1995. Upon his return, he and fellow Floridian, Charlie Covington, started VOSH/Florida. Mr. Gehrig served as President of VOSH/Florida for nine years and is still a very active member. Over the last 14 years, Mr. Gehrig has participated in about twenty-five VOSH missions, John served the VOSH International Board as a Vice-President and since 2004, he has assumed the duties of General Counsel to the Board of VOSH International. Mr. Gehrig is also a VOSH Fellow. He is an active Rotarian and an Elder in his family (Presbyterian) church.

Past President, Member Fellowship Committee

Ruth S. McAndrews, OD, FVI

Dr. McAndrews received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa and a Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. She practiced in Durant and Davenport Iowa before retiring. She is a long-term member of the American Optometric Association and the Iowa Optometric Associations. Dr McAndrews was a recipient of the Iowa Young O.D. of the Year, the Iowa O.D. of the Year, Heart of America Award, Warren Coleman Award from the Iowa Lions Foundation, Illinois College of Optometry Humanitarian of the Year, and the Harry I Zeltzer Lifetime Achievement Award from VOSH/International.  She served on the Iowa Board of Optometry Examiners and the Mississippi Valley Optometric Association (past president).  Dr. McAndrews is involved in community service through the Grace Lutheran Church, local volunteer organizations, and  the Iowa City Noon Lions Club. She has been involved in VOSH/International, serving as its President in 2005-2007. Dr. McAndrews is a Fellow of VOSH International (FVI). Dr. McAndrews has served as the treasurer and past president of VOSH-Iowa and has participated in over 35 VOSH missions.

Chair, Technology Transfer Program

David Stacy, OD, USA

Dr. Stacy graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1978 after receiving his BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Arizona and serving in the United Stated Army for four and one half years. He was in private practice in Chandler, AZ until he retired and sold his practice in October 2019. He is a member of AOA and ASOA. Dr. Stacy has dedicated the last 10+ years to the development and execution of the VOSH/International Technology Transfer Program (TTP). VOSH, through TTP, collects, restores and ships used optometric equipment, lenses and frames to needy clinics, teaching institutions, hospitals and NGO’s. Dr. Stacy has served as President of the Arizona Chapter of VOSH, International for almost four years. He followed the founder of the Chapter, Dr. Ed Tuhy who provided a remarkable foundation and gathered many talented members for the Chapter. The 2013 Mission will mark a decade of service in Sonora, Mexico for the Chapter. Dr. Stacy speaks Spanish and uses the logistics he learned in the military to do his part in supporting the missions. The SVOSH, AZ Chapter, from MWU, College of Optometry, Glendale, AZ campus, has become an integral part of VOSH, AZ missions. The membership also includes several ophthalmologists who have opened a dialogue with SEE, International and the University of Arizona, Ophthalmology Department to address the possibility of supporting missions for cataract and pterygium operations. Very active Rotary and Lions Clubs in Sonora have proven to be excellent and reliable hosts and have worked beside the multitalented mission leaders to make the missions successful.

Chair, Website Development Committee; Past Executive Director (2013-2018)

Natalie C. Venezia, FVI

Ms. Venezia is a retired attorney and was a partner with the law firm of Post Kirby Noonan and Sweat in San Diego, California. Ms. Venezia obtained her JD from the University of San Diego in San Diego, California and her BS degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Ms. Venezia also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from The University of San Diego and a Certificate in the Spanish Language from University of California, San Diego (Extension). Community service and volunteerism have always played an important role in Ms. Venezia’s personal and professional life. Since 2001, Ms. Venezia has led or participated in 25 VOSH missions with VOSH-Illinois and other VOSH chapters. Since May 2007, Ms. Venezia has served as a member of the VOSH International Board, as Board Secretary, as Board Administrator, and as the Executive Director (2013-2018).  Ms. Venezia continues to serve VOSH as the Chair of the Website Development Committee. Since 2002, Ms. Venezia has also led or participated in medical missions for Operation Rainbow, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide free reconstructive surgery for children with cleft deformities.

Director (2017-2023), Chair SVOSH Chapters Relations Committee

W. Howard McAlister, OD, MPH, FAAO, FVI

Dr. McAlister received his undergraduate and optometry degrees from the Ohio State University.  He was awarded a M.P.H. degree from the University of Illinois and M.A.’s in both health services management and international relations from Webster University.  In the American Academy of Optometry he is both a fellow and diplomate in the Section on Public Health and Environmental Vision.  He served for over thirty years as a commissioned officer on active and reserve duty, retiring as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.  After serving several years as an educator at the Illinois College of Optometry he joined the faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he was also a fellow of the Center for International Studies and Programs.  He retired in 2017.  Currently he serves as an adjunct professor at the Rosenberg School of Optometry at the University of the Incarnate Word.  Dr. McAlister is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Armed Forces Optometric Society, the Missouri Optometric Association, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Director (2017-2023); Co-Chair VOSH Chapters Relations Committee

John Larcabal, OD

Immediate Past President (2021-2023), Chair VOSH-Corps Committee

J. Dan Twelker, OD, PhD, FVI, VOSH/International Immediate Past President, 2021-2023

Dr. Twelker received his Doctor of Optometry from the University of California, Berkeley College of Optometry in 1992. He worked in private practice for several years before returning to obtain his Ph.D. in Vision Science from The University of California, Berkeley. Since 2002, he has been on the faculty of the University of Arizona Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science where he is an Associate Clinical Professor. He was the Site Principal Investigator for the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Ethnicity and Refractive Error from 2002 through 2012, which looked at the effect of ethnicity on eye growth and the need for spectacle correction. He was elected President of the Arizona branch of VOSH in 2015 and continues to serve in that position. In the fall of 2015, Dr. Twelker took leave of his position in Arizona to teach optometry at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Western Kenya. In 2016, Dr. Twelker was elected to the Board of Directors for VOSH International, with his main emphasis being to support and sustain optometry education efforts in developing countries such as Malawi, Kenya, and Mexico.