Leadership

Immediate Past President (2023-2025)

Michael Ciszek, OD, diplomate ABO, FVI – USA

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 (2021-2023), Director (2019-2021)

Héctor C. Santiago, OD, PhD – USA / Puerto Rico

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), Co-chair VOSH Chapters Relations Committee

Victoria Molnar Weiss, OD, FVAO, FVI – USA

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 a few years ago 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 (2021-2027), Chair VOSH Fellowship (FVI) Committee

Ann Slocum-Edmonds, OD, FVI – USA

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 led vision care missions in Oregon (US), Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Albania, Peru, El Salvador, Kenya, the Gambia, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. Dr. Edmonds is a three-time Humanitarian Service Award recipient from the 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.

Director (2024-2027)

Nelson Edwards, OD – USA

Dr Edwards graduated from the Michigan College of Optometry in 1987. He has been the Adjunct Clinical Instructor at the Michigan College of Optometry for 13 years. Chief of Optometric Services Michigan Air National Guard USAF LTC. (retired). he was in private practice at Fowlerville Family Eye Care for 15 years and corporate practice for four and half years at Sam’s Club Optical Ypsilanti, Michigan. Dr Edwards is a seasoned humanitarian with at least 53 VOSH trips.

Director (2022-2025), Leader Data Digitalization Project

Beatriz Elizabeth Gómez Serna, B.Opt. Dipl. Ed. – Mexico

Universidad Autónoma de la Laguna, Mexico

Optometrist Gómez Serna graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de la Laguna.  She has over 25 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 of which she was the Coordinator of the Optometry Program and the faculty adviser of the SVOSH-UAL chapter. Currently she supports the international relations of the school.

Her solid experience in health, education, and business development in addition to her research and teaching skills, and being bilingual has enabled Beatriz to contribute significantly to academic and faculty development initiatives. She is also a member of VOSH/International Latin American Advisory Committee. She was recognized as one of the most influential women by Vision Monday in 2021.

Director (2021-2027) TTP Committee Co-chair

Kirsten D’Aversa Johnson, OD – USA

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 (2024-2027)

Benjamin C. Konig, OD – USA

Benjamin Konig, OD went to Lipscomb University in Nashville for his Bachelor of Science in Applied Biochemistry degree. He completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, and then completed a residency in Vision Rehabilitation at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. Dr. Konig was one of the first placements for the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) Corps program, where he taught optometry at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua medical optometry program. Following his placement there, he joined the faculty at University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) in 2018 where he is an Associate Professor and the Director of International Affairs.

Director (2022-2025)

Dr. Jairo Antonio Mercado, MSc, PhD – Nicaragua

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 (2022-2025)

Tareq Nabhan, OD – USA

Dr. Tareq Nabhan is an optometrist with teaching, research, and service experiences in hardware-software telehealth solutions and humanitarianism. He developed UMSL’s first-ever telehealth course and teleretina service. He is a consultant to health centers and state associations in developing optometry units and teleretina services. Dr. Nabhan is a Special Government Employee with CMS MEDCAC and is a board member on multiple international humanitarian advisory panels. He is funded for his research and has intellectual property with the USPTO. Dr. Nabhan is a fellow of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, a fellow of VOSH/I, and was awarded the UMSL Optometric Educator of the Year Award in 2017 and 2023.

Director (2022-2025), Board Secretary (2020-2024), Chair Ambassadors Committee

Neelam Patadia, OD, FAAO – USA

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 (2024-2027)

Prof. Tuwani Rasengane, OD, PhD., FAAO – South Africa

Tuwani Rasengane is the head of Optometry at the University of the Free State and a director of the Optometric services in the Free State Province, South Africa. She has been working extensively in the field of optometry and vision sciences demonstrating her passion for optometric education, vision research and eye care service delivery. She is a member of Sightsavers’ International board of trustees, Global Ophthalmic Institute board of trustees, co-chair of WHO SPECS2023 Workforce Workstream and currently serves as member of South African Optometric Association Education and Clinical standards committee.

Director (2024-2027)

Ani Tokhmakhian, OD – USA

Dr. Ani Tokhmakhian is an optometrist dedicated to advancing global vision care and humanitarian service. Currently completing her residency at the West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, she focuses on managing complex ocular conditions in a multidisciplinary setting. A graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. Tokhmakhian served as President of the Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH), where she organized international clinics in Barbados and Mexico, providing vision care to thousands of underserved individuals. She has presented at national and international conferences on leadership and organizing large-scale clinics. As a member of the VOSH/International Board of Directors, she is committed to fostering equitable and accessible eye care worldwide.

Director (2024-2027)

Michael Satryan, OD – USA

Dr. Satryan graduated as an Optometry Doctor from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1984. He received the Skeffington Award for outstanding student in pediatric optometry and the Alumni Award for academic excellence.

Upon graduation, Dr. Satryan started practicing in Altoona where he established a successful private practice -Mountain View Eye Associates- which he has seen grow to a current team of five ODs, six opticians, and several technicians. His expertise is in Orthokeratology/myopia control, dry eye disease care, and macular degeneration care.

Dr Satryan is a past president of the local optometric society and has served on its education committee. He is an active member of VOSH-Pennsylvania where he serves on the board of directors.  He is an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Duncansville and the Rotary Club of Hollidaysburg.

Dr Satryan is passionate about providing eye care to the people of Haiti. As a member of VOSH-PA he has travelled annually for 15 years to Haiti on eye care humanitarian clinics and was part of the team of doctors running the VOSH teaching clinics for the last year students at the school of optometry at the Université d’Etat d’Haïti in 2022 and 2023 and the follow up clinics with some of the graduating students in 2024.

Director (2024-2027)

Jennifer Lyn Galvez Viñola, OD, M.Ed. – the Philippines

Dr Viñola completed her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2014, followed by a Master of Arts in Education in Administration and Supervision in 2024. She is completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration. Jennifer received the Eye Health Hero 2021 Award in the Future Leaders category from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the Best in Community Academic Achievement Award (2014). She completed and passed several specialized courses in Myopia Management, Vision Therapy, Low Vision, and Pediatric Optometry Work. Dr Viñola is a faculty member at the College of Optometry at Manila Central University, a CPD Evaluator and CPD Monitor under the Council of Optometry, and a faculty adviser for VOSH International’s SVOSH-MCU Chapter in the Philippines and the Know the Glow-MCU Chapter Philippines. She also works as a private practitioner.

Director (2022-2025), Chair Data and Research Committee

Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, MBA, MS, FAAO, FACHE, CAE, FVI – USA

Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, MBA, MS, is Interim Dean and Professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus at Drexel University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, and clinical investigator for Erie Retina Research. He is also a medical review officer and consultant on occupational vision issues to government agencies and other organizations. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry and The Ohio State University. He is triple board certified as an optometrist, healthcare executive and association executive. He is Past Chair of the American Academy of Optometry’s Section on Public Health and Environmental Vision. He currently serves on the board of directors of VOSH International. He is finalizing his psychology PhD dissertation on burnout in optometry at Liberty University.

Director (2023-2025), Chair Education Committee

Timothy A. Wingert, OD, FAAO – USA

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. He is the only optometrist to have four Fulbright Awards. Before coming to Rosenberg School of Optometry, 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. In 2024, he received the American Academy of Optometry Public Health & Environmental Vision Section Henry B. Peters Memorial Award.

Secretary to the Board of Directors (2024 - to present)

Lori Copilevitz, OD – USA

Dr. Lori Copilevitz was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri in the United States. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. She also completed a residency program specializing in cornea and contact lenses at Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon and immediately after received her fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry. Before moving to Vietnam, she practiced optometry at multiple Kaiser Permanente locations throughout Portland, Vancouver (Washington), and Los Angeles. Through VOSH Corps Program and the Brien Holden Foundation she has been involved as an international professor for the Optometry Program at the University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach. Additionally, she is currently involved with Tele-optometry.

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.  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

Director (2018-2024), Chair Exhibits Committee

Tracey Peterson

Director (2018-2024), Treasurer a.i

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.

Co-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.

Legal Counsel (2024-to present)

Fred E. Soto, Jr., OD, MBA, MPH, JD, FAAO – USA

Doctor Frederick E. Soto got his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry followed by an MBA from the University of Sarasota, an MPH from University of South Florida and a Juris Doctor degree from the Stetson University College of Law.

He has a Fellowship and a Diplomate on Public Health and Environmental Vision from the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate from the American Board of Optometry.  Besides practicing as an optometrist, Dr Soto held several roles in his community including with the Lions Club and within organized optometric associations and the American Academy of Optometry.    

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

J. Dan Twelker, OD, PhD, FVI

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.

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.

Executive Director (2018-to date)

Maria Arce-Moreira, MSc.

Maria Arce-Moreira has over 25 years of experience in the international development sector.  Most of her work has been 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, mental health, and eye health and vision.  Her interest in eye health was reinforced after working 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 has worked as a consultant supporting UK and international NGOs with fundraising, strategic advice, governance, and management.  Until mid-2024, she was a member of the Board of Directors of Sense International, an international NGO supporting people with deafblindness and their families, Age International, an international NGO supporting old people, and the Hope Centre, a local UK NGO working with homeless people and poverty.  Mrs Arce-Moreira holds an MSc in Urban Environmental Management from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. She originally comes from Bolivia and currently resides in the United Kingdom.