Santa Rosa, CA — Patients without health insurance who need vision exams and eyeglasses can receive state-of-the-art vision care now at Southwest Community Health Center's satellite clinic, the Chanate Health Center, through collaboration with local chapters of Lions Club International and local vision care providers.

Beginning this month, the Chanate Health Center has brand new vision examination equipment along with a growing number of local optometrists and ophthalmologists who provide their services at the Lion's Vision Center. Vision care services include comprehensive eye examinations and other diagnostics for SCHC patients. The Lions Club helps provides financial assistance to patients who need corrective lenses.

The vision center will treat existing SCHC patients initially. As more eye physicians are added to the program, the vision center will be expanded to serve patients referred by other community health centers throughout Sonoma County.

"The partnership with the Lions Club enables Southwest Community Health Center to reach thousands of people who need vision care. Finding specialty care for our patients is one of our greatest challenges," says Naomi Fuchs, CEO of Southwest Community Health Center. "We are grateful to the local Lions clubs for their leadership and commitment to serving those in need in our community. This is the kind of creative partnership that will create a sustainable health care system for the future."

Dr. Bruce Abramson, OD, and Dr. Karin (King) Boehm, OD

The idea for a state-of-the-art vision center for the uninsured originated with local physician Bruce Abramson, OD of the Eye Care Institute in Santa Rosa who has provided optometry services at SCHC along with several other optometrists on a part-time basis for the past decade. Dr. Abramson observed that a great many of the SCHC's child and adult patients needed more comprehensive eye care, but the used equipment originally purchased for vision exams had become quite outmoded. Dr. Abramson determined that up-to-date equipment would enable physicians like himself to make the most of their limited patient hours, rather than spending time working with and repairing older equipment.

Dr. Abramson approached Santa Rosa Lions Club President Barry Bialkoski, knowing that the organization focuses on eye care as one of its primary community service projects. In late 2004, the club enthusiastically accepted the challenge to raise $30,000. Bialkoski challenged the Montgomery Village Lions Club to match the Santa Rosa club's $7,500 contribution and asked the Lions Club International Foundation to match both local clubs with a $15,000 contribution. Bialkoski was recognized as Lion of the Year for Northern California for his efforts.

Last year ophthalmologists from Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa also began participating in the vision clinic Dr. Abramson started, originally located at SCHC's Lombardi Court facility in Southwest Santa Rosa. The Chanate Health Center offered more space for the Lions Vision Center's expanded services.

"The Lions Vision Center at Southwest Community Health Center's Chanate clinic is the biggest project the Santa Rosa Host Lions have taken on in years. It's very gratifying to see this equipment in the hands of capable doctors, giving the people of the community vision care for those in need who can't afford it," says Bialkoski.

The Santa Rosa Lion's Club was founded in 1917 as a community service organization. Last year the Santa Rosa Host Lions and Lionesses contributed 17,000 pairs of eyeglasses for distribution to other countries, and took part in the tsunami relief effort.

About Southwest Community Health Center
and Chanate Health Center

The Chanate Health Center is one of five Southwest Community Health Center sites in Santa Rosa providing comprehensive medical services that include primary care, family planning and obstetrics as well as mental health, several specialties, outreach, health education, and advocacy. The majority of SCHC patients are uninsured and living below the federal poverty level. As a nonprofit federally qualified health center, SCHC receives some reimbursement through MediCal and other government programs, but must rely increasingly on community support to meet the needs of growing numbers of people without health insurance. In 2004, SCHC provided more than $900,000 in uncompensated health care services.

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For more information, contact:
Lori Houston, Public Relations Coordinator
Southwest Community Health Center

Mike Rogalski, 2005-06 President
Santa Rosa Lions Club