Eyespiring

What can our life experiences teach us about resilience, connection, and creating change? In this episode of Eyespiring, host Heather Patrick welcomes Julie Grutzmacher, MSW, MPH, Senior Director of Patient Advocacy and Population Health Initiatives at Prevent Blindness. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in social work, public health, and patient advocacy, Julie shares how service and relationships have shaped her career and how her work with the ASPECT Patient Engagement Program has transformed her understanding of storytelling, vision, and eye health. Julie discusses why listening to people's lived experiences is essential to effective healthcare, how personal stories can become powerful tools for advocacy, and why you don't need a formal title or a seat at the policy table to make a difference. Together, Heather and Julie explore the importance of building trust, recognizing the connection between eye health and overall health, and empowering people to use their voices to improve the systems and communities around them. Topics CoveredFinding purpose through service: How Julie's values and early experiences helped shape her career in social work and public health.Lessons from the Peace Corps: Why understanding people's circumstances, resources, and cultural context is essential to delivering effective healthcare.Supporting people through grief and loss: The importance of presence, compassion, and giving people grace during difficult seasons.Resilience and personal growth: How challenging experiences can help us connect with and support others.The ASPECT Patient Engagement Program: How storytelling and shared experiences empower people who are blind or visually impaired and their allies to become advocates.Rethinking advocacy: The difference between everyday education and communication ("small A" advocacy) and broader policy-focused advocacy ("big A" advocacy).Finding your voice through storytelling: Why reflecting on your experiences can help others feel understood and inspire change.Taking the first step into advocacy: Finding an approach that fits your strengths, interests, and comfort level.The impact of lived experience: How patient stories can influence healthcare practices, research, support groups, and policy.Bringing patients and providers together: How listening to different perspectives can reveal gaps in care and improve the patient experience.Why vision and eye health matter: The relationship between eye health and overall health, the importance of awareness, and the barriers that can make eye care difficult to access.The power of relationships and connection: Why trust, collaboration, and collective voices are essential to lasting change.You don't need to be an expert or hold a position of influence to make a difference. Your experiences have value, your voice matters, and sharing your story can help someone else find a path forward. When patients, providers, advocates, and communities work together, individual stories can help create meaningful change. Timestamps & Highlights00:00 – Welcome to Eyespiring01:29 – Finding Purpose Through Service03:11 – The Common Threads in a Career of Service06:14 – Lessons From the Peace Corps08:35 – Supporting People Through Grief and Loss11:55 – Resilience, Growth, and the Human Spirit13:27 – How ASPECT Changes Perspectives16:37 – Rethinking Advocacy: Small A and Big A21:00 – Can Anyone Be an Advocate?22:19 – Finding Your Voice Through Storytelling26:27 – Taking the First Step Into Advocacy29:24 – Stories That Create Change33:21 – Bringing Patient and Provider Perspectives Together36:21 – Why Vision and Eye Health Matter42:01 – The Power of Relationships and Connection43:55 – Final Reflections and ClosingLearn More & Get InvolvedPrevent Blindness Texas: https://texas.preventblindness.org/Prevent Blindness (National): https://preventblindness.org/ASPECT Patient Engagement Program: https://preventblindness.org/aspect-patient-engagement-program/Thank you for listening to Eyespiring, a Prevent Blindness Texas podcast featuring conversations about vision, health, purpose, and the people making a difference. Remember: your story matters, your voice can create change, and together we can make vision and eye health a priority. If you enjoyed this episode, follow Eyespiring, share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation, and join the Prevent Blindness Texas community.

What does it take to make eye care accessible to everyone? In this episode of Eyespiring, host Heather Patrick speaks with Dr. Jacquelyn O’Banion, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine and Chief of Ophthalmology at Grady Memorial Hospital. Drawing on her experience in clinical ophthalmology, public health, and global eye care, Dr. O’Banion explains why protecting vision requires more than diagnosing and treating eye disease. It also means understanding the barriers patients face, building trusting relationships, strengthening healthcare systems, and ensuring that people have access to treatment after a problem is identified. From finding her unexpected path into ophthalmology to working with underserved populations in the United States and internationally, Dr. O’Banion shares practical insights about prevention, health equity, collaboration, and the importance of staying connected to your purpose. Her perspective is a reminder that every patient has a unique story—and that improving vision outcomes requires caring for the whole person. Topics CoveredFinding her pathStaying connected to your “why”Medicine meets public healthGlobal ophthalmologyCollaboration across healthcare systemsUnderstanding health disparitiesThe importance of early detectionThe challenges of ongoing treatment.Making vision part of overall healthBuilding trust with patientsThe human side of medicinePrevention and access to treatmentLessons from patientsImproving vision health requires more than identifying eye disease. It takes education, accessible services, coordinated healthcare systems, and a commitment to understanding each patient as an individual. Early detection matters, but screening must be paired with a pathway to treatment so that identifying a problem can lead to meaningful care. Dr. Jacquelyn O’Banion's message is clear: vision health is essential to overall health, and better outcomes require more than clinical expertise alone. By improving awareness, addressing barriers, strengthening collaboration, and connecting screening to treatment, we can help more people access the care they need to protect their sight. Join Prevent Blindness Texas and Prevent Blindness Georgia in supporting efforts to improve vision health and expand access to care. And as always, tell us: What is your vision? Timestamps & Highlights00:00 – Welcome to Eyespiring00:49 – Getting to Know Dr. Jacquelyn O’Banion02:16 – An Unexpected Path to Ophthalmology05:16 – Finding Opportunities in Global Eye Health07:34 – Staying Connected to Your “Why”11:21 – Why Combine Medicine and Public Health?14:09 – From Individual Patient Care to Health Advocacy18:09 – What Global Eye Care Can Teach the U.S.22:22 – Understanding Health Disparities in the Clinic24:08 – Barriers to Early Diagnosis and Eye Care27:15 – The Challenges of Ongoing Treatment29:29 – Why Vision Must Be Part of Overall Health33:14 – Building Trust Between Doctors and Patients37:12 – Patient Relationships, Time, and Physician Burnout42:34 – Rethinking the Healthcare System45:06 – Why Prevention Matters46:49 – The Missing Link Between Screening and Treatment50:13 – What Patients Teach Us Beyond Medical School51:21 – Closing Thoughts and Getting Involved

What does it mean to truly live with vision? On this episode of Eyespiring, Heather Patrick welcomes Kerri-Ann Coombs, R.N., O.D., whose journey from registered nurse to optometrist, entrepreneur, author, mother, and philanthropist has been shaped by purpose, faith, and a deeply personal connection to vision loss.Inspired by her father's experience with vision loss, Dr. Coombs developed a passion for helping others protect their sight while also encouraging people to pursue the vision they have for their own lives. She shares candidly about changing careers, overcoming fear, building De'Cordova Eyewear in honor of her father, embracing entrepreneurship, using social media to educate and connect, giving back to children in Jamaica, and the lessons motherhood has taught her about patience and leadership.The conversation ultimately returns to a simple but powerful idea: vision is a gift, and living with vision means having the faith and courage to pursue what you were created to do.Topics CoveredDr. Coombs' journey from nursing to optometryDiscovering her calling to healthcareHow her father's vision loss shaped her personal and professional journeyOvercoming fear and learning to "bet on yourself"The lessons nursing taught her about caring for othersThe story and legacy behind De'Cordova EyewearTaking a holistic approach to eye and overall healthEntrepreneurship and the challenges of being responsible for it allLearning to embrace areas outside her expertiseSocial media as a platform for education, creativity, and storytellingAuthenticity versus perfection on social mediaGiving back to children in JamaicaThe connection between childhood vision care and future opportunityGratitude for the gift of sightWriting A Girl with a Big VisionEncouraging children to dream biggerHow motherhood has changed Dr. Coombs' approach to leadershipLearning patience and allowing things to growThe meaning of vision, faith, and purposeBuilding a life, not just a business, that reflects your visionDr. Coombs reminds us that we should never take the gift of vision for granted, but we also shouldn't be afraid to pursue the vision we have for our lives. Her story is a reminder to bet on yourself, learn from failure, and build a life that matters beyond the work you do.As she puts it, "Build a life that you desire. The business may come and go, but your life remains with you forever."Timestamps & Highlights00:00 – Welcome to Eyespiring02:21 – Finding Joy in Peace and Simplicity03:17 – The "Why" Behind Her Work04:10 – Discovering a Calling to Healthcare06:15 – From Nurse to Optometrist08:17 – Following the Dream Despite Fear11:05 – Betting on Yourself13:37 – The Story Behind De'Cordova Eyewear14:36 – Experiencing Her Father's Vision Loss17:20 – Seeing the Whole Person19:05 – Authenticity, Creativity & Social Media23:16 – Building an Eyewear Business26:40 – The First De'Cordova Frames27:44 – The Realities of Entrepreneurship29:22 – Giving Back to Jamaica31:34 – A Young Patient Who Changed Her Perspective33:15 – A Girl with a Big Vision34:42 – Motherhood & Leadership37:36 – Rapid Fire39:56 – Vision Means Faith40:14 – The One Thing She Wants You to Remember41:17 – Closing & Prevent Blindness Texas

What makes a nonprofit truly successful? According to Kristen Schlatre, it starts with committed leadership, a clear mission, and a willingness to continuously evolve. In this episode of Eyespiring, Heather Patrick welcomes Kristen Schlatre, Assistant Dean for Professional and Corporate Programs and Director of the Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Rice University. Kristen shares her unique journey into the nonprofit sector, discusses the evolving landscape of philanthropy, and offers practical leadership lessons for nonprofit professionals, volunteers, board members, and anyone committed to creating positive change in their communities. Together, they explore how organizations can build sustainable impact by investing in people, embracing innovation, and keeping their mission at the center of every decision. Topics CoveredKristen's unexpected path from aspiring pharmacist to nonprofit leadershipWhy strong leadership is the foundation of every successful nonprofitLessons learned from Teach For America and mission-driven organizationsCommon misconceptions about nonprofit organizationsThe evolving role of philanthropy and charitable givingSustainable funding and why nonprofits need predictable revenueBuilding trust with donors, volunteers, and communitiesThe importance of community-led solutionsLeadership, resilience, and preventing burnoutDeveloping the next generation of nonprofit leadersBooks and resources for leadership developmentKristen's advice for anyone looking to make a lasting impactLeadership in the nonprofit sector isn't about having all the answers, it's about staying grounded in your mission while empowering others to create meaningful change. Kristen reminds us that although this work is challenging, no leader should carry it alone. By investing in people, embracing collaboration, and staying focused on purpose, nonprofits can build stronger organizations and healthier communities for years to come. Timestamps & Highlights00:00 – Welcome to Eyespiring and introduction to Kristen Schlatre01:29 – Kristen shares her unexpected journey into nonprofit leadership09:49 – The one thing every nonprofit needs to succeed12:20 – Finding purpose through helping other leaders grow16:11 – Why nonprofits play a vital role in strengthening communities18:41 – Debunking common misconceptions about nonprofit organizations25:20 – How philanthropy and charitable giving continue to evolve31:02 – Why nonprofits need sustainable revenue models35:44 – Building and maintaining trust in the nonprofit sector37:18 – The question every nonprofit leader should ask themselves39:44 – The biggest leadership challenges facing nonprofits today41:28 – Why the next generation of nonprofit leaders brings hope43:48 – Leadership skills every nonprofit needs for the future45:39 – Leadership books and continuous learning49:03 – Kristen's final advice50:15 – How to get involved with Prevent Blindness Texas

Can love transform the way we lead? Mohammad Anwar believes it can. In this episode of Eyespiring, Heather Patrick sits down with Mohammad Anwar, President & CEO of Softway, co-founder of Culture+, and bestselling co-author of Love as a Business Strategy and Love as a Change Strategy. Mohammad shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Saudi Arabia and India to building a global technology company in Houston, overcoming near bankruptcy, and discovering that leadership rooted in love, trust, and accountability creates stronger organizations and better outcomes. The conversation explores what it really means to build a healthy workplace culture, why leaders often confuse titles with influence, and how artificial intelligence can actually help us become more human by creating more space for relationships, empathy, and meaningful connection. Topics CoveredMohammad's multicultural upbringing and entrepreneurial journeyStarting Softway at just 20 years oldThe challenges of leadership, ego, and nearly losing his companyWhy love belongs in businessBuilding trust and accountability within teamsThe biggest misconceptions about leadershipWarning signs of a broken organizational cultureMeasuring success beyond financial performanceLeading people through changeBringing humanity back to the workplaceHow AI can strengthen, not replace, human connectionLeadership lessons from failure and personal growth Leadership isn't about titles, power, or perfection, it's about relationships, trust, and creating environments where people can thrive. Mohammad reminds us that as technology continues to evolve, our greatest competitive advantage will always be our humanity. If this conversation inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who is passionate about leadership, culture, or the future of work. Timestamps & Highlights00:00 – Welcome to Eyespiring01:40 – Growing up in Saudi Arabia, India, and eventually finding home in Texas11:40 – Starting Softway at age 2015:00 – Early entrepreneurial lessons, stress, and overcoming ego17:20 – The near collapse of Softway and the moment everything changed24:45 – Why love belongs in business31:45 – Why organizational culture is so difficult to change34:25 – Reframing accountability as an act of care36:15 – The biggest misconception about leadership37:45 – Recognizing the warning signs of a broken culture40:30 – Measuring success through trust, teamwork, and impact44:25 – Helping people embrace change instead of resisting it47:30 – Bringing humanity back into the workplace51:40 – Why AI may help us become more human54:20 – Lightning round: leadership advice, failure, habits, and lifelong learning58:45 – Closing thoughts and final reflections