EYECARE: Optometry Prevent Blindness Georgia to Honor 2024 Person of Vision at 8th Annual Night for Sight Gala By Staff Wednesday, June 26, 2024 12:15 AM Dr. Stephanie Vanderveldt. ATLANTA—Prevent Blindness Georgia (PBGA), a nonprofit eye health organization dedicated to preserving sight and preventing blindness, has announced that their 8th annual Night for Sight Gala will be held on October 26, 2024, at The Whitley Hotel Buckhead. During the event, PBGA will recognize their 2024 Person of Vision, Dr. Stephanie Vanderveldt, a leader in ophthalmology in Georgia, the announcement said. This award honors an invaluable individual who emulates excellence in the eyecare community.“We can’t wait to celebrate Dr. Vanderveldt at the 8th annual Night for Sight Gala this October,” said Jill Thornton, president and CEO of PBGA. “Her passion for restoring sight to Georgians is inspiring and deserves recognition at the highest levels.”After receiving her undergraduate degree from Princeton, Dr. Vanderveldt graduated from Duke University Medical School where she received a merit-based senior scholarship for excellence in research and academics, was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, and was valedictorian of her class, PBGA said. She served as a teaching fellow at Harvard University and completed her ophthalmology residency and retina fellowship at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where she was selected as chief resident. Dr. Vanderveldt currently works at Georgia Retina, sustaining her passion for making a difference in people’s lives by restoring sight, according to the announcement.“I am incredibly honored to be named Prevent Blindness Georgia’s Person of Vision 2024," Dr. Vanderveldt said. "The work that Prevent Blindness Georgia does to provide access to vision care for underserved and vulnerable communities throughout Georgia is vitally important. Providing early access to vision screening for children can change the entire trajectory of their lives.”Since its inception in 1965, PBGA said its mission has focused on ensuring that every individual has access to essential eyecare and vision-saving treatments. In the 2023 program year, the nonprofit served more than 55,800 preschool, elementary, middle school children, and economically disadvantaged adults who live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, PBGA said. At this year’s Gala, all proceeds will be devoted to PBGA’s vital adult and children’s vision services which will enable them to expand and reach even more school systems and indigent adults across Georgia.For tickets, sponsorships, and more information, email events@pbga.org.