The eighth annual Cataract-A-Thon was held at Hamilton Eye Institute in June. Volunteer medical teams performed $60,000 worth of free cataract surgeries for 20 people who lacked the insurance or financial means to receive care.
The Cataract-A-Thon was founded in honor of the late Dr. Ivan Marais, an ophthalmologist and cataract surgery innovator at UTHSC. Since 2017, the event has restored sight to more than 200 patients.
“I was amazed at how many people of different medical backgrounds came together to put on such a life-changing event,” says Dr. Nik Hopkins, a fourth-year resident and leader of this year’s event. “Now, I am grateful to be able to help my community in this profound way.”
Dean Guides Rural Health Initiative
Wendy Likes, dean of UTHSC’s College of Nursing, has been given the additional role of executive director and special advisor on rural health for the university.
The college brings needed primary care services to rural communities in West Tennessee through mobile health outreach. The university has a statewide commitment to improving access to care in rural areas.
“I am excited about taking the next few years to lay the foundation for improved health care in rural communities across Tennessee,” Likes says. “I am proud that the College of Nursing is being recognized for its programs in rural health and am excited to collaborate with the other colleges at UT Health Science Center on their ongoing rural health initiatives to raise health care in rural communities to the next level.”
New Leader of Communications and Marketing
After a nationwide search, Karla Leeper joined UTHSC as the new vice chancellor for strategic communications and marketing in July.
Previously, Leeper served as the vice chancellor for strategic communication and public affairs at the University of Kansas, where she was the executive leader for marketing, communications and media relations for the university’s six locations across the state.
She previously held the position of executive vice president for operations at Augusta University/Augusta University Health, and she was the vice president of executive affairs and chief of staff to the Baylor University president.
