Davis Vision and Baptist Operation Outreach to launch partnership serving hundreds of homeless Memphians
MEMPHIS (May 17, 2010) - As part of its nationwide Focus on AmericaSM program, Davis Vision will kick off a new partnership with Baptist Operation Outreach on Friday, May 21. Through Baptist's mobile health care clinic, free vision screenings, follow-up care and eyeglasses will be provided to local homeless individuals from Memphis who are uninsured or underserved.
"Taking care of one's eyesight is important, and the services being offered will provide eye care or vision correction to those in need," said Terry Ward, Davis Vision's divisional vice president of sales, South division.
Through its Focus on AmericaSM initiative, Davis Vision already has provided more than $13 million in free vision services and materials to individuals in the U.S. and abroad who could not afford or access such care.
"Without partnerships like the one we are creating, many of our patients wouldn't be able to afford eye exams and glasses," said Jason Little, vice president and market leader for Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. "We look forward to working with Davis Vision to support those in need of vision care."
To determine eligibility or for additional information about the vision program, call 901-227-3528.
To read more about the partnership in The Commercial Appeal of Memphis, click here. To read more in the Memphis Daily News, click here. To see coverage of the event on CBS, click here.
About Baptist Memorial Health Care
One of the largest not-for-profit health care systems in the United States, Baptist Memorial Health Care offers a full continuum of care to communities throughout the Mid-South. Baptist has more than 2,600 licensed beds systemwide, employs more than 12,000 people and has approximately 85,000 admissions annually. In fiscal year 2009, Baptist provided more than $541 million in community benefit to the communities it serves. The Baptist Operation Outreach mobile health care clinic was established in 2003 to bring much-needed health care to the homeless. The clinic visits two locations a week - Memphis Union Mission and Catholic Charities - and delivers primary care to anyone who needs it. In 2009, Baptist Operation Outreach provided $2.6 million in health care to approximately 3,000 Memphis-area homeless individuals.
About Davis Vision
Headquartered in Plainview, N.Y., Davis Vision is one of America's leading vision benefits companies, providing comprehensive vision benefits for nearly 50 years. More than 55 million individuals nationwide enjoy the benefits of a Davis Vision plan through an extensive network of nearly 30,000 ophthalmologists and optometrists, in addition to many opticians and top national retail providers. Committed to quality vision care, Davis Vision is part of the HVHC Inc. family of companies, which also includes Viva International Group and Eye Care Centers of America. For more information about Davis Vision, visit www.davisvision.com.
