SOSH was founded in 1968 by Dr. Algernon Phillips during his years as a student at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). The original purpose of the organization was to administer eye examinations and to dispense spectacles to the people of Haiti. In 1986, SOSH expended its scope to provide more comprehensive eye care to people throughout the world. Over the years, SOSH has traveled to Africa, the Caribbean, and North, South and Central America. Often, the services that SOSH renders in these regions are the only means of receiving proper eye care.
During the past few years, SOSH has also been a partner in developing a permanent eye clinic in Guatemala, seeing over 18,000 patients and referring approximately 800 for surgery.
HISTORY
Pictured top row, L to R: Shawn Yu, Dr. A. Phillips, Dr. Harry Kaplan, Robert Wang, Mark Street, Michael Rebar; ​Bottom row, L to R: ​Allyssa Nguyen, Anjali Desai, Lisa Schneider, Kristy Dean, Erin Van Shura, Lisa Chow.​
SOSH Founder Meets with Students
On December 5, 2008, members of SOSH, with memories of their September mission to Haiti still fresh in their minds, had the privilege of meeting Dr. A.A. Phillips ’69, founder of SOSH (Student Optometric Service to Humanity) at the University.
After viewing videos of the September mission created by SOSH president Robert Wang ’10, Dr. Phillips shared some of his experiences with the students. The first SOSH mission to Haiti in 1969, planned after then second year student Phillips’ visited and saw the acute need for vision care, included PCO faculty member Dr. Harry Kaplan ’49.
Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Anthony Di Stefano, Vice President, Academic Affairs, were present at the meeting and, with the students, heard some of the interesting and diverse experiences Dr. Phillips has had during his many years of volunteer service and travels around the world.
The PCO students and faculty and an ophthalmologist and surgical nurse from SEE International, completed the ten day September mission in Cap Haitian, providing eye exams to more than 2400 individuals, dispensed more than spectacle glasses, distributed more than 2300 UV protection sunglasses and provided funding for over 70 cataract extractions and 50 glaucoma referrals.
Two SOSH teams working at two sites maximized the number of patients seen and the students and faculty worked long hours and gained invaluable experience. With the help of the PCO Lions Club, the students also purchased a screening tonometer (with the PCO Lions Club) for use during future missions and included an underclassman representative to ensure a smoother 2009 mission.
Faculty members Dr. Gwenn Amos and Dr. Mark Snyder accompanied SOSH Class of 2010 members: Herbert Bressler, Kristy Dean, Anjali Desai, Aesha Sharia, Carl Ekman, Caryn Jones, Timothy Kim, Colleen Kroll, Matthew Lim Ah Ken, Doua Lor, Yupheng Ly, Allyssa Nguyen, Sheila Poon, Michael Rebar, Cara Reitnauer, Lisa Schneider, Mark Street, Julie Tran, Robert Wang, Shawn Yu and Dianna Zhang. Erin Vanshura ’11 was class representative for the 2009 trip.