2023
IMPACT REPORT
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
INTRODUCTION
building our capacity to
SERVE
New approaches help us adapt to the challenges of tomorrow
Dear Friends and Mission Partners, The past twelve months marked another year of tremendous growth for Saving Sight. We were able to serve more people than ever in more new ways together. Our teams worked to increase their capacity to adapt to a changing external environment. Their hard work is evident in the stories and statistics shared in this report. Reflecting on the past year of work, I am incredibly proud to see that we have increased our community impact by taking a different approach. Our grant funding to other programs like KidSight, Mid-South Sight and Hearing Services, and the Missouri Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program helped thousands of people in need in Missouri and beyond. Likewise, new programs like our eye care protocol for ventilated patients in donor hospitals have allowed for better stewardship of the gift of eye donation, and better ocular outcomes for surviving patients post-ventilated care. Finally, we have continued to dial in on being a healthy organization that can adapt and execute strategy in an ever-changing world. I invite you to celebrate these successes with us because you were a part of achieving them! Without the dedication of volunteers, donor hospitals, clinical partners, and many more, our work in saving sight could not have happened. Thank you for your continued support in changing lives by saving sight. Sincerely,
Tony Bavuso, CEO, Saving Sight
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
a community of
COMPASSION April Legislative Events Celebrate the Gift of Donation
Each April, those who have been touched by eye, tissue and organ donation come together to commemorate the life saving and healing gifts of donation during Donate Life Month. Saving Sight is proud to partner with collaborative organizations in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois to hold events that celebrate donor’s gifts and connect with families touched by donation. On April 11, representatives from Saving Sight joined the Department of Health and partners in Missouri in Jefferson City for Donor Day at the Capitol. This annual event recognizes Missouri eye, organ and tissue donors from the previous calendar year. Donor families joined us in the rotunda of the state Capitol building to learn more about donation, and to take tours of the building. Later that day, during a ceremony at the Truman building near the Capitol, each eye, organ and tissue donor was honored during a ceremony. Families received a certificate from Department of Health Director, Paula Nickerson. Attendees also had the opportunity to make crafts and other keepsakes before and after the event. The day ended with a moment of silence at the Governor’s Garden. Similarly, our Donate Life Kansas Team spent a day at the Kansas Capitol in Topeka in March. Representatives from Saving Sight and partner organizations took time to meet with representatives from all over the state to educate about donation. Our team encouraged those visiting the Capitol that day to join the organ and tissue donor registry at a booth set up in the building.
COMMUNITY
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
Kansas City Office Patio Artwork Showcases Mission At the end of 2022, our Saving Sight team took on a project to depict the meaning of our mission and work at our Kansas City office. Our staff transformed two outdoor patios into beautiful pieces of art, showcasing the impact of the gift of sight and the healing that eye donation brings to many. Designs created by staff members were carefully transferred onto the patio and painted by our entire team. The installation also includes five paver stones, each created by one of our satellite office locations. The project was a fun and inspiring way for staff to engage with our mission to save sight in a different way! We debuted the artwork at the beginning of Eye Donation Month in November 2022, as part of our work to celebrate the gifts of eye donation and the legacy of our donor heroes and their families that make restored vision possible.
COMMUNITY
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Connecting With Funeral Home Partners at KFDA Saving Sight works closely with funeral homes to honor the wishes of eye donors and their families. As a result, our team has the opportunity to work with many funeral homes throughout our service area to facilitate the gift of eye donation. Fostering a strong relationship with funeral home professionals is an important part of our work to serve donors and their families. In May 2023, our Hospital Development team attended the Kansas Funeral Directors Association meeting in Wichita, KS. The theme of this year’s event was “Be a Top Gun Funeral Director.” As an exhibitor, Saving Sight’s team rose to the challenge arriving in flight suits to man our booth! Our team had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with many local funeral home professionals to better understand their needs and how we can seek a collaborative partnership. Additionally, we took the time to learn more about the trade and profession at this valuable event, as there were so many opportunities for learning.
Representatives from Saving Sight’s Hospital Development and Recovery teams connected with funeral home staff attendees.
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
COMMUNITY
stewarding the
GIFT OF DONATION Second Chances: Tim’s Journey from Transplant Recipient to Recovery Technician
At Saving Sight, our recovery technicians play an essential role in the eye bank. Tim, a former technician in our St. Louis office, has a unique understanding of donation. His perspective as a double-lung transplant recipient gives him a deep connection to facilitating the gift of sight. Tim has Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic mutation of cells that interferes with the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Primarily with Cystic Fibrosis, it’s the lungs that ultimately cause patients to be terminal. After battling for many years, Tim was struggling to breathe, and his lung function was steadily declining. Tim’s doctor told him that his lungs were functioning at 30% and his oxygen saturation was in the 70’s. While his health was steadily declining, he was on supplemental oxygen for two years until he was next up on the transplant list. Tim had two canceled surgeries within 5 months before he was able to get his transplant. Tim remembers writing in his journal, “I’m losing hope. This is my darkest hour. I don’t want to die today.” The next day Tim got his double lung transplant. Tim was told by other double lung transplant recipients that to keep your lungs healthy and viable and to avoid rejection you really need to be exercising. Just weeks after his transplant he started running. Months after his transplant, Tim was able to run multiple 5k’s and even a half marathon. An important part of the healing journey, both for recipients and donor families, is to correspond with each other. Two months after his transplant, Tim wrote a letter to his donor’s family. Eight months later, Tim received a letter in the mail from his donor’s wife. She sent photos of their 4 children and told Tim that she was incredibly happy that through tragedy, Tim got a second chance at life.
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expand
COMM
Charitable Grants
In 1960, Saving Sight beg with a spirit of giving. Wh grow through our mission
In 2021, Saving Sight’s bo to charitable organization to apply: KidSight, Mid-S group received funding f
KidSight, a program with operating support to scr 3,500 were identified to established an enhanced
Saving Sight also grante Clubs of District 26 M-7. read and sorted for use i read eyeglass prescriptio equipment purchase, the
Finally, Saving Sight grant that provides medical se organization provided dir
Upon reviewing reports 2023, adding one additio KidSight - $43,000 ShowMe Lions Eyeglass
Mid-South Lions Sight an
Missouri Lions Eye Missio
COMMUNITY
ding our
MUNITY IMPACT
s Secure Saving Sight’s Legacy of Giving
gan restoring sight through charitable vision programs, matching the needs of local communities hile our program delivery has changed throughout that history, our legacy of giving continues to n partners.
oard of directors established a board-designated quasi-endowment fund to support grants given ns with a similar mission. During the first round of funding in 2021, three organizations were invited South Lions Sight and Hearing Service, Inc., and the ShowMe Eyeglass Recycling Program. Each from Saving Sight to expand their services and impact in the community.
h a historical tie to Saving Sight, received the most funding, utilizing a $35,000 gift for general reen over 39,000 Missouri children for potential vision disorders. Of those children screened, o be at risk for problems like amblyopia. As part of their essential work, the KidSight team has d follow-up process, helping families seek vision care for children as necessary.
ed $15,000 in funding to the ShowMe Eyeglass Recycling Program, a nonprofit run by the Lions This Missouri-based program serves as a collection point for recycled eyeglasses that are then in medical mission trips worldwide. With grant funding, the group purchased two lensometers to ons, a crucial part of preparing the donated glasses to go abroad. The Lions estimate that with this ey were able to serve 25,000 additional people worldwide.
ted $10,000 in funding to Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Services, a nonprofit out of Tennessee ervices for vision-impaired people in need in our region. With funding from Saving Sight, the rect care to 16 patients from Missouri for various eye care and surgical costs.
from these three organizations, Saving Sight’s board of directors voted to renew grants in June onal nonprofit to the mix. The following grants were made at the end of this fiscal year: Recycling - $5,000
nd Hearing Services - $5,000
on Program - $7,000
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
honoring the GIFT OF S Cornea Transplant Gives Amateur Photographer New View on Life
Dave Parker suffered from an eye disease called Fuch’s Dystrophy, an ocular disease in which the endothelium, gradually die off causing vision loss. Eye drops and ointments might help re ultimately patients will need a cornea transplant to restore their vision.
About a year and a half ago, the Fuch’s Dystrophy had progressed to a point whe A dedicated amateur photographer, Dave was engaged in furthering his expertise and community college. The professor asked if Dave could see the different colors in He knew at that point that something needed to be done. Dave’s ophthalmologist referred him to the cornea transplant surgeries on each eye, a few months apart.
Since the surgeries, Dave has been able to take pictures and participate in photography class fortunate that the technology was developed so that he could have the surgery successfully. families, he included pictures he had taken to show that their loved one’s gifts were helping him photos was featured on the front of our holiday card that we sent out to our mission partners.
Dave’s story is a reminder of the often-overlooked blessings that sight grants us. Losing the abil getting dressed, and enjoying a hobby you love can impact your life. Through our mission to c can do those little things again.
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COMMUNITY
SIGHT
the cells in the corneal layer, called elieve the symptoms of Fuch’s, but
ere he needed to have surgery. d was taking classes at a local n an image and Dave couldn’t. o a cornea surgeon who performed
ses with ease. He says he is, “very y.” When Dave wrote to his donors’ m in his everyday life. One of those
lity to do the little things like driving, change lives by saving sight, Dave
Photography by David Parker
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
recognizing CHAMPION Celebrating the Gift of Sight During Eye Donation Month
Every year, the start of Eye Donation Month on November 1st marks a significant occasion. This entire eye banking community, as we collectively honor and celebrate donors, recipients, and precious gift of sight through corneal transplants, impacting both the recipients and the families and recipients, expressing gratitude to the dedicated hospital staff across our partner hospitals
In November, our Hospital Development team made in-person visits to several of our partner h served as a meaningful token of our appreciation for their invaluable contributions. This allowed unwavering commitment.
In addition to our expressions of gratitude towards our hospital partners, we celebrated the transplant recipients from both Missouri and Kansas, Team MO KAN stands as an example of ou
As we reflect on our efforts, we remain steadfast in our commitment to growing awareness, hon in the lives of others.
PARTNERS
NS OF DONATION
s month-long observance unites Saving Sight with the Eye Bank Association of America and the d hospital personnel. Throughout the month, we celebrate the new view brought about by the s of the donors. Our activities during this month include sharing compelling stories of both donors s, and honoring the efforts that drive positive change through the mission of Saving Sight.
hospitals. During these visits, our staff rounded with a cart full of all sorts of delicious treats which d us to personally extend our gratitude and recognition to the hospital staff, acknowledging their
accomplishments of Team MO KAN in the Donate Life America Transplant Games. Comprising ur shared dedication to promoting organ, eye, and tissue donation.
noring donors, and extending our gratitude to the individuals and teams that drive positive change
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
Hospital Referral Partners
January 1, 2022- December 31, 2022
Organization Name
Total Suitable Donors
Donors Recovered
Consent Rate
Conversion Rate
Corneas Transplanted
HD Territory
Adair Acute Care at Osawatomie State Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
AdventHealth Ottawa
13
8
73%
62%
2
2
Amberwell Atchison Hospital
7
4
71%
57%
0
2
Amberwell Hiawatha
2
1
50%
50%
0
2
Anderson County Hospital
3
1
100%
33%
2
1
Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department Wellington
1
0
0%
0%
0
1
Ascension Via Christi Hospital - Fort Scott Emergency Department
8
1
25%
13%
0
3
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan
22
14
85%
64%
5
1
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg
30
14
47%
47%
13
3
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Francis
230
115
66%
50%
145
1
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Joseph
16
8
56%
50%
5
1
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Teresa
7
4
63%
57%
5
1
Ascension Via Christi Rehab Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Ashland Health Center
2
1
50%
50%
2
1
Atchison Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Bates County Memorial Hospital
5
3
75%
60%
1
2
Bob Wilson Memorial Grant County Hospital
5
1
25%
20%
1
1
Boone Hospital Center
100
58
69%
58%
70
4
Bothwell Regional Health Center
27
10
54%
37%
3
2
Callaway Community Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
4
Cameron Regional Medical Center
17
6
55%
35%
2
2
Capital Region Medical Center
58
31
64%
53%
42
4
Carle Richland Memorial Hospital
7
2
60%
29%
2
4
Carlinville Area Hospital
8
4
86%
50%
5
4
Carroll County Memorial Hospital
3
3
100%
100%
2
2
Cass Regional Medical Center
14
3
50%
21%
2
2
Cedar County Memorial Hospital
5
1
25%
20%
2
3
Center for Behavioral Medicine
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
CenterPointe Hospital of Columbia
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
4
Cheyenne County Hospital
1
0
N/A
0%
0
1
Citizen's Medical Center
10
5
70%
50%
7
1
Citizens Memorial Healthcare
32
11
54%
34%
15
3
Clara Barton Hospital
11
6
75%
55%
9
1
Clay County Hospital
11
4
50%
36%
6
4
Clay County Medical Center
3
0
0%
0%
0
2
Coffey County Hospital
9
2
60%
22%
2
2
Coffeyville Regional Medical Center
8
2
60%
25%
4
3
Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center
3
1
50%
33%
0
2
Comanche County Hospital
2
0
0%
0%
0
1
Community Hospital Fairfax
6
3
50%
50%
0
2
Community Hospital of Staunton
13
7
78%
54%
8
4
Community Hospital Onaga
2
1
50%
50%
2
2
Community Hospital St. Mary's
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Community Memorial Healthcare
8
2
75%
25%
0
2
Cox Barton County Hospital
2
0
50%
0%
0
3
Cox Medical Center Branson
50
32
79%
64%
34
3
Cox Medical Center North
0
0
100%
N/A
0
3
PARTNERS
Hospital Referral Partners
January 1, 2022- December 31, 2022 Organization Name
Total Suitable Donors
Donors Recovered
Consent Rate
Conversion Rate
Corneas Transplanted
HD Territory
Cox Medical Center South
347
179
66%
52%
223
3
Cox Meyer Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
3
Cox Monett Hospital
9
3
38%
33%
6
3
Crawford Memorial Hospital
7
2
75%
29%
2
4
Cypress Surgery Center
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Decatur County Hospital
1
1
100%
100%
2
1
Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center
1
0
0%
0%
0
2
Edwards County Medical Center
4
1
33%
25%
0
1
Ellett Memorial Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Ellinwood District Hospital
3
1
100%
33%
2
1
Ellsworth County Medical Center
1
1
100%
100%
2
1
Excelsior Springs Hospital
7
3
60%
43%
3
2
F.W. Huston Medical Center
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Fitzgibbon Hospital
13
2
33%
15%
2
2
Fredonia Regional Hospital
7
5
100%
71%
7
3
Freeman Hospital East
1
0
N/A
0%
0
3
Freeman Hospital Neosho
10
6
75%
60%
7
3
Freeman Hospital West
195
94
57%
48%
102
3
Fulton State Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
4
Geary Community Hospital
18
6
60%
33%
2
2
General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital
7
1
40%
14%
4
3
Girard Medical Center
5
3
75%
60%
4
3
Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare
11
4
63%
36%
4
2
Goodland Regional Medical Center
2
0
50%
0%
0
1
Gove County Medical Center
6
1
20%
17%
0
1
Graham County Hospital
1
0
N/A
0%
0
1
Greeley County Health Services
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Greenwood County Hospital
5
4
100%
80%
8
1
Grisell Memorial Hospital
2
0
0%
0%
0
1
Hamilton County Hospital
0
0
100%
N/A
0
1
Hannibal Regional Hospital
44
18
64%
41%
25
4
Hanover Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Harrison County Community Hospital
12
5
42%
42%
2
2
Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice
0
0
100%
N/A
0
1
Harry S. Truman Veterans' Hospital
25
13
61%
52%
9
4
Hays Medical Center
57
21
47%
37%
33
1
Hedrick Medical Center
12
4
33%
33%
4
2
Herington Municipal Hospital
5
2
60%
40%
3
1
Hermann Area District Hospital
3
2
75%
67%
0
4
Hillsboro Area Hospital
6
1
75%
17%
2
4
Hillsboro Community Hospital
0
0
100%
N/A
0
1
Hodgeman County Health Center
2
0
50%
0%
0
1
Holton Community Hospital
0
0
100%
N/A
0
2
Horton Community Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Hospice Compassus Springfield
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
3
HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital
7
2
43%
29%
4
4
HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Effingham
25
12
72%
48%
18
4
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
Hospital Referral Partners
January 1, 2022- December 31, 2022
Organization Name
Total Suitable Donors
Donors Recovered
Consent Rate
Conversion Rate
Corneas Transplanted
HD Territory
HSHS St. Francis Hospital Litchfield
8
1
40%
13%
2
4
HSHS St. John's Hospital
182
70
54%
38%
84
4
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center
39
27
81%
69%
34
1
Irwin Army Community Hospital
6
1
50%
17%
2
2
Jacksonville Memorial Hospital
34
15
74%
44%
13
4
Jewell County Hospital
2
0
0%
0%
0
1
Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care
2
0
N/A
0%
0
2
Kansas City VA Medical Center
12
7
69%
58%
7
2
Kansas Heart Hospital
10
5
55%
50%
6
1
Kansas Medical Center
20
10
67%
50%
12
1
Kansas Spine and Specialty Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Kansas Surgery and Recovery Center
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Kearny County Hospital
1
0
N/A
0%
0
1
Kingman Healthcare Center
2
1
50%
50%
2
1
Kiowa County Memorial Hospital
4
3
75%
75%
6
1
Kiowa District Hospital
3
1
33%
33%
0
1
KPC Promise Hospital of Overland Park
1
0
0%
0%
0
2
Labette Health
19
9
59%
47%
9
3
Labette Health Independence Healthcare Center
5
1
25%
20%
2
3
Lafayette Regional Health Center
6
1
29%
17%
2
2
Lake Regional Hospital
78
32
55%
41%
42
3
Landmark Hospital of Columbia
7
3
57%
43%
4
4
Landmark Hospital of Joplin
11
2
14%
18%
4
3
Lane County Hospital
1
0
0%
0%
0
1
Larned State Hospital
1
0
N/A
0%
0
1
Lawrence County Memorial Hospital IL
7
1
38%
14%
1
4
Lincoln County Hospital
2
1
50%
50%
0
1
Lincoln Memorial Hospital
16
8
71%
50%
12
4
Lincoln Prairie Behavioral Health Center
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
4
Lindsborg Community Hospital
2
2
100%
100%
4
1
LMH Health
41
21
64%
51%
8
2
Logan County Hospital
6
2
67%
33%
0
1
McPherson Hospital
3
1
75%
33%
0
1
Meade District Hospital
2
1
50%
50%
2
1
Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
7
4
80%
57%
8
1
Memorial Hospital Abilene
7
4
63%
57%
4
1
Mercy Hospital Aurora
9
3
57%
33%
2
3
Mercy Hospital Carthage
3
0
25%
0%
0
3
Mercy Hospital Cassville
5
1
50%
20%
2
3
Mercy Hospital Columbus
0
0
100%
N/A
0
3
Mercy Hospital Jefferson
83
32
58%
39%
41
4
Mercy Hospital Joplin
120
60
61%
50%
73
3
Mercy Hospital Lebanon
18
3
31%
17%
1
3
Mercy Hospital Moundridge
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Mercy Hospital Springfield
305
182
74%
60%
190
3
Mercy Hospital Washington
68
30
64%
44%
40
4
PARTNERS
Hospital Referral Partners
January 1, 2022- December 31, 2022 Organization Name
Total Suitable Donors
Donors Recovered
Consent Rate
Conversion Rate
Corneas Transplanted
HD Territory
Mercy St. Francis Hospital
3
0
N/A
0%
0
3
Miami County Medical Center
4
1
100%
25%
0
2
MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital
1
0
0%
0%
0
2
Minneola District Hospital
4
2
67%
50%
2
1
Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems
9
3
44%
33%
5
1
Moberly Regional Medical Center
15
6
75%
40%
6
2
Morris County Hospital
5
3
71%
60%
6
1
Morton County Hospital
1
0
N/A
0%
0
1
Mosaic Life Care
140
63
54%
45%
26
2
Mosaic Life Care Long Term Acute Care
2
0
0%
0%
0
2
Mosaic Medical Center - Albany
6
1
25%
17%
0
2
Mosaic Medical Center - Maryville
8
4
71%
50%
4
2
Nemaha Valley Community Hospital
1
0
0%
0%
0
2
Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center
10
2
38%
20%
0
2
Ness County Hospital
1
1
100%
100%
2
1
Nevada Regional Medical Center
14
3
50%
21%
4
3
Newman Regional Health
13
5
64%
38%
5
1
NMC Health
21
14
67%
67%
13
1
Noble Health Audrain Community Hospital
1
0
100%
0%
0
4
North Central Kansas Medical Center
10
5
58%
50%
5
1
Northeast Regional Medical Center
11
4
46%
36%
2
2
Norton County Hospital
2
1
100%
50%
2
1
Olathe Hospice House
4
3
100%
75%
2
2
Olathe Medical Center
58
34
67%
59%
15
2
Osage Beach Center for Cognitive Disorders
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
3
Osborne County Memorial Hospital
3
2
75%
67%
3
1
Ottawa County Health Center
4
1
33%
25%
2
1
Ozarks Healthcare
41
13
47%
32%
15
3
Pana Community Hospital
5
1
57%
20%
2
4
Paris Community Hospital
10
4
67%
40%
8
4
Patterson Health Center
1
1
100%
100%
1
1
Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
3
2
100%
67%
3
1
Pershing Memorial Hospital
12
2
27%
17%
0
2
Phelps Health
49
19
64%
39%
26
4
Phillips County Hospital
3
1
50%
33%
2
1
Pike County Memorial Hospital
8
1
20%
13%
2
4
Pinnacle Regional Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Pratt Regional Medical Center
9
4
44%
44%
4
1
Promise Hospital of Overland Park
2
1
67%
50%
0
2
Providence Medical Center
86
34
56%
40%
25
2
Putnam County Memorial Hospital
9
1
11%
11%
0
2
Rawlins County Health Center
2
0
0%
0%
0
1
Ray County Memorial Hospital
10
2
25%
20%
2
2
Regent Rehab and Healthcare
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Republic County Hospital
4
1
33%
25%
2
1
Rice County Hospital
5
2
60%
40%
2
1
Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center
15
9
80%
60%
5
1
17
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
Hospital Referral Partners
January 1, 2022- December 31, 2022
Organization Name
Total Suitable Donors
Donors Recovered
Consent Rate
Conversion Rate
Corneas Transplanted
HD Territory
Rock Regional Hospital
4
2
80%
50%
3
1
Rooks County Health Center
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Rush County Memorial Hospital
4
2
50%
50%
4
1
Rusk Rehabilitation Center
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
4
Russell Regional Hospital
8
4
67%
50%
5
1
Sabetha Community Hospital
6
4
80%
67%
2
2
Saint John Hospital - Leavenworth
19
5
44%
26%
0
2
Saint Luke's Hospital of Allen County
11
4
44%
36%
5
1
Salem Memorial District Hospital
12
1
44%
8%
2
3
Salina Regional Health Center
76
40
70%
53%
57
1
Salina Surgical Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Samaritan Memorial Hospital
14
4
33%
29%
3
2
Sarah Bush Lincoln Fayette County Hospital, Vandalia
8
2
60%
25%
2
4
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center
50
18
55%
36%
22
4
Satanta District Hospital
1
0
0%
0%
0
1
Scotland County Hospital
3
0
0%
0%
0
4
Scott County Hospital
3
0
0%
0%
0
1
Sedan City Hospital
7
2
33%
29%
2
1
Select Specialty Hospital - Topeka
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Select Specialty Hospital - Wichita
9
6
89%
67%
6
1
Select Specialty Hospital Kansas City
10
1
20%
10%
0
2
Select Specialty Hospital Springfield
12
5
50%
42%
3
3
Sheridan County Health Complex
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Signature Psychiatric Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
2
Smith County Memorial Hospital
2
0
0%
0%
0
1
South Central Kansas Medical Center
10
5
50%
50%
4
1
Southwest Medical Center
15
3
50%
20%
3
1
Springfield Memorial Hospital
229
111
69%
48%
119
4
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Centralia
26
10
60%
38%
16
4
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jefferson City
36
12
43%
33%
14
4
St. Catherine Hospital - Dodge City
13
5
62%
38%
7
1
St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City
22
4
33%
18%
8
1
St. Luke Hospital and Living Center
1
1
100%
100%
0
1
Stafford County Hospital
3
1
33%
33%
2
1
Stanton County Hospital
1
0
N/A
0%
0
1
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital
3
1
33%
33%
1
4
Stevens County Hospital
3
2
67%
67%
3
1
Stormont Vail Health
112
53
66%
47%
15
1
Sullivan County Memorial Hospital
3
0
0%
0%
0
2
Sumner County Hospital District #1
4
3
75%
75%
1
1
Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital
6
4
83%
67%
4
1
Taylorville Memorial Hospital
13
6
77%
46%
6
4
Texas County Memorial Hospital
20
4
46%
20%
7
3
The Center at Waterfront
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
Thomas H. Boyd Memorial Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
4
Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital
2
1
75%
50%
0
1
University Hospital
205
110
67%
54%
135
4
PARTNERS
19
Hospital Referral Partners
January 1, 2022- December 31, 2022 Organization Name
Total Suitable Donors
Donors Recovered
Consent Rate
Conversion Rate
Corneas Transplanted
HD Territory
University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus
9
6
70%
67%
7
1
University of Kansas Health System - Main Campus
314
126
57%
40%
59
2
University of Kansas Health System - St. Francis Campus
63
33
61%
52%
18
1
University of Missouri Women's and Children's Hospital
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
4
Wamego Health Center
4
2
67%
50%
4
1
Washington County Hospital Kansas
3
2
100%
67%
0
2
Washington County Memorial Hospital
6
2
80%
33%
4
4
Wesley Derby ER
1
0
N/A
0%
0
1
Wesley Medical Center
202
99
66%
49%
127
1
Wesley West ER & Diagnostic Center
0
0
100%
N/A
0
1
Wesley Woodlawn Hospital and ER
4
2
100%
50%
3
1
Western Missouri Medical Center
8
3
50%
38%
2
2
Wichita County Health Center
0
0
N/A
N/A
0
1
William Newton Hospital
14
4
31%
29%
2
1
Wilson Medical Center
5
2
40%
40%
3
1
Wright Memorial Hospital
7
3
57%
43%
2
2
Territory 1
Territory 3
Territory 2
Territory 4
Springfield Kansas City Columbia
St. Louis
Wichita Springfield
Contact Our Hospital Development Team
Territory 1 Kelly Falwell 316-620-8224 Wichita, KS
Territory 2 Darcey Ross 816-255-1373 Kansas City, MO
Territory 3 Mallory Thouvenot 417-576-0930 Springfield, MO
Territory 4 Courtney Welch 314-584-1712 St. Louis, MO
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
Gently pull lower eyelid downward
Squeeze lubricating ointment inside the lower eyelid
Pinch lower eyelid and move upwards and downwards to blink the eye
PARTNERS
partnering for
CLINICAL EXCELLENCE Eye Care Ventilated Protocol Extends Opportunity for Donation Many factors determine a successful outcome for corneal transplant patients. As an eye bank, our priority is to provide the highest quality and safest donor tissue for transplantation. In that effort, in 2022, Saving Sight launched a pilot project to help maintain the precious gift of sight for donors on ventilated care prior to the time of death. Patients in critical care settings are at an increased risk for developing ocular complications, most often from excessive exposure and drying of the eye’s surface. Without proper eye care, those patients may develop corneal infections, or infiltrates, while on ventilated care. However, with the correct nursing interventions, the risk of developing an infection is greatly reduced. Saving Sight’s Hospital Development team worked with seven hospital systems in our area to launch an eye care protocol for ventilated patients. This standard of care helps patients who leave the hospital and do not become eye donors, as their ocular health is greatly maintained due to the care they receive in the hospital. Additionally, in cases where a patient passes away and can be an eye donor, their gift has greater suitability for transplantation. During the 2022 program pilot, infiltrates in eye donors from these pilot hospitals reduced from 7.49% of the total eye donor pool to just 2.8%. Our team educated nursing staff to provide a regular regimen of nursing assessments, lubrication of the ocular surface and applying a moisture chamber. Our Saving Sight team continues to work diligently to expand the protocol to new hospitals, ensuring that we act as stewards of the gift of sight.
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2023 IMPACT REPORT
mission focused COLLAB
Research Collaboration Helps Eye Banks Steward the Gift of Donati
One way Saving Sight works toward fulfilling its mission is by supporting research that aids in the to work with fourth-year medical student Jessinta Oseni, who was completing her research yea
Oseni’s research question was critical for the work of eye banks like Saving Sight: “Can corneas donor tissue from Saving Sight, Oseni determined that the endothelial layer of corneas from h essential finding for eye banks to appropriately steward the gift of donation to others and fulfill
We were honored to work with Oseni and attend her poster session at the Association for Visio the journal Cornea in November 2022.
PARTNERS
BORATIONS
ion
e body of knowledge in eye banking and transplantation. In 2022, Saving Sight had the opportunity ar at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
s from young donors who’ve died from head trauma be safely donated for transplant?” In studying head trauma donors was not significantly different from donors without head trauma. This is an donors’ decisions.
on in Research and Ophthalmology’s annual meeting. Additionally, the research was published in
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
PARTNERS
updated tools for
EXCELLENCE 3D Technology Assists in Transplant Surgery Restoring a patient’s vision through corneal transplant surgery requires precision, and Dr. Kenneth Goins, an experienced ophthalmologist specializing in corneal and external diseases, knows this well. With decades of practice in the Midwest, Dr. Goins conducted an impressive 75 corneal transplant surgeries in 2022, and the numbers are expected to rise in 2023. What sets Dr. Goins apart is his adoption of cutting-edge technology to achieve even better surgical outcomes. He has recently integrated a state-of-the-art 3D visualization system into the operating room. Traditionally, surgeons used an analog microscope, but with the new 3D system, Dr. Goins and his team can now view the surgery in true 3D and high definition on a specialized television in the OR. Just like at the movies, they even wear specialized 3D glasses! One of the key advantages of this 3D technology is the improved depth of field during surgery, which is crucial when transplanting multiple layers of donor tissue to replace a diseased cornea. The entire OR team can collaboratively observe the magnified 3D view, enhancing their understanding and coordination during the procedure. Dr. Goins shared his excitement about the new system, saying, “I can now take on tougher cases because of it, and it’s a tremendous advantage for teaching.” Beyond its impact on surgical precision, the 3D system has proven invaluable in Dr. Goins’ role as part of the KU Eye faculty. Medical residents in the program can now gain an up-close and in-depth view of surgical techniques that were not possible in the traditional OR setup. The partnership with Saving Sight further highlights Dr. Goins’ dedication to advancing the field. Together, they continue to explore innovative ways to optimize the precious gift of sight from generous donors to grateful transplant recipients. With this revolutionary 3D technology, Dr. Goins and his team are shaping the future of corneal transplant surgery, promising even better outcomes for patients seeking restored vision.
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
a partnership to
SAVE SIGHT Physician Partner Impact Each day, Saving Sight impacts an average of 11 lives by providing the gift of sight through transplant. Many individuals come together to accomplish this miracle. We work with teams of clinical and health professionals who have dedicated their careers to saving sight through transplantation. Among the most dedicated are our physician partners who perform corneal transplants.
Dr. Gregg Berdy
In January, Saving Sight kicked off the 2023 calendar year by celebrating the lives our physician partners impacted in 2022. Our Business Development Manager visited physicians offices to say thanks and present them with a poster to commemorate the number of lives that physician changed by performing corneal transplants in partnership with Saving Sight in 2022. We are grateful for this crucial alliance in saving sight in the communities we serve!
In 2023, Saving Sight presented partner physicians with posters as one token of gratitude of our work together to change lives. Dr. Kenneth Goins
PARTNERS
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Tissue Placement
41
countries Tissue Utilization
32
Research and Training
33%
states
67% Surgical Use
MO,KS,IL
International
23% Tissue Distribution
38% Other US
39%
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SAVING-SIGHT.ORG
2023 IMPACT REPORT
community support
OF DONATION KANSAS 66%
State Donor Designation Share
ILLINOIS 56% MISSOURI 66%
Eye Donation Authorization Rate
Transplant recipients each day received the gift of sight!
Register to become an eye, organ and tissue donor at www.registerme.org!
PARTNERS
Empowering Communities through Donor Designation Events Every August marks National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM), a time when we join Donate Life America and the entire transplant community to encourage donor registration and increase awareness about the pressing need for more diverse eye, organ, and tissue donors. Alongside Donate Life America and Walgreens, our team of dedicated volunteers and staff worked together to spread the word on the importance of registering to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor at local Walgreens stores. Across 14 stores in Missouri and Kansas, volunteers engaged with numerous individuals on a busy Saturday. While a majority of those engaged were already registered donors, our volunteers were able to speak with several donor families and transplant recipients. These firsthand meetings further illustrated the significance of organ, eye, and tissue donation, reinforcing the profound impact it has—from restoring sight to offering life-saving organs. The role of our exceptional volunteers cannot be overstated; they are vital to the success of Saving Sight’s transformative work. Staff and local Lions Clubs contributed to this event, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. Witnessing the direct influence of their dedication within their own communities was an empowering experience for everyone involved. The teamwork of Saving Sight, Donate Life America, and Walgreens shows how sharing information and volunteers’ hard work can make a big difference. The conversations started during these interactions could lead to many people getting a new chance at life.
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2023 IMPACT REPORT
creating a culture of
ADVOCACY Lions Club Leaders Pilot New Education Program Saving Sight and the Lions Clubs of Missouri have a longstanding partnership and history in their shared mission to serve the community. Saving Sight was founded as the Missouri Lions Eye Tissue Bank in 1960, notably with the help of local Lions Club members. Today, Lions, elected to serve on Saving Sight’s board of directors, play a key role in governance, fiduciary oversight, and strategic planning. Many more Lions Clubs members serve as volunteers and advocates of our mission. In June 2023, Saving Sight piloted a new educational program for Missouri Lions Club members elected to leadership positions in their own districts across the state. Leaders were invited to Saving Sight’s Kansas City headquarters to learn more about our programs and see them in action. The program also offered an opportunity to learn more about our partner organization, KidSight. Attendees walked away with a deeper understanding of our operations, the people we serve, and how Lions Clubs can continue contributing to our mission for decades to come. Saving Sight’s board of directors looks forward to building on the program and expanding it in 2024 to reach even more Lion advocates.
CULTURE
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2023 IMPACT REPORT
CULTURE
Fun and Connection: Inside the Saving Sight Fall Festival When arriving at the 2022 Fall Festival, the bounce house placed at the far end of the location was hard to miss, and of course, a bounce house at any event means fun times ahead. The excitement was palpable as employees collected badges at the entrance. On the badge, a list of games and the promise of prizes to be won; fun times ahead indeed. The Saving Sight Fall Festival was held on October 15th, 2022, and was the first time since the pandemic that employees from 6 offices in 3 states met in Kansas City. There were many new faces, others who had only met virtually, others still who hadn’t seen each other in a long while. It was a much-needed opportunity for employees and their families to get together and celebrate Saving Sight. There was a great turnout. The festivities included tacos, burgers, hotdogs, ice cream, and drinks. There was no lack of activities, from launching pumpkins on a trebuchet made in-house to tug-of-war. There were firepits and smores for those who wanted to hang back and relax. Our eye bank training mannequin, Rescue Randy, looked dapper and participated in photo shoots. The DJ played tunes that spanned the decades. Towards the end of the event, Tony Bavuso, CEO, gave a speech in acknowledgment of Saving Sight’s impact and success. He thanked everyone for their dedication in changing lives by saving sight. The event was one of many ways that Saving Sight’s people-focused culture shone in the past year.
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2023 IMPACT REPORT
Emerging Leaders Leadership Program
In March 2023, Saving Sight unveiled the Emerging Le Sight leaders in the principles of leadership, strategy, an guiding principles, difficult conversations, data analytic
This program is meant to develop future leaders, whe Saving Sight feels that it is important to foster the dev applied to the program but only a small number of th decided who would be in the first class of emerging le
Bi-weekly sessions immerse current participants in a w in-depth discussions. Often, participants will role-play to Leaders Program envisions its growth with a new class
CULTURE
m
eaders Program, a 6-month development program that is intended to help prepare future Saving nd relational impact. During the program, participants will dive deep into topics such as leadership cs, and communications, just to name a few.
ether they are future leaders at Saving Sight or somewhere else down the road. Leadership at velopment and growth of all employees, and that is what this program aims to do. Many people hem were selected. A selection committee made up of current leaders at Saving Sight met and eaders.
wide array of subjects. Experts from the leadership team present their areas of expertise, sparking ough conversations, learning to push through them even if they are uncomfortable. The Emerging s in early 2024, aiming to nurture a group of capable future leaders for Saving Sight.
Eye Bankers Convene in Kansas City for Annual Leadership Program In March 2023, Kansas City was home to the Eye Bank Association of America’s Leadership Program for eye banking professionals. Saving Sight was delighted to serve as the host city for the event, which focused on various topics essential for growing leaders in our industry. Topics ranged from building trust within teams to building organizational cultures where psychological safety, diversity, equity, and inclusion thrive. Two speakers at the event were associated with Saving Sight. Amy Leslie, CEO of Perspective Consulting and Saving Sight board member, gave sessions on coaching staff and disrupting bias in the workplace. Additionally, Liz Hughes of the Table Group introduced Patrick Lencioni’s 6 Types of Working Genius. Liz is a leadership consultant that has worked with Saving Sight for several years. Participants, including Saving Sight’s entire leadership and operations teams, left the event invigorated to build a positive culture within eye banking focused on collaboration and trust. The Saving Sight team looks forward to welcoming EBAA members in June 2024 when it hosts the organization’s annual conference in Kansas City.
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WE CHANGE LIVES BY
SAVING SIGHT