A study to assess the psychosocial aspects of refractive errors and effectiveness of health education in correcting stigmas related to spectacle use in high-school students of rural India

Serge Resnikoff

PhD

Dr. Serge Resnikoff brings his experience as an international expert and consultant in global public health, ophthalmology, and eye health to the Vision Impact Institute’s Advisory Board.

A powerful global health advocate, Resnikoff has devoted his working life to highlighting health issues in a number of different venues including through corporations, the World Health Organization, local and national governments and in academic settings:

From 2008 to 2010, he served as CEO of Thea, a European pharmaceutical group, specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of ophthalmology products.
Prior to that, from 2004 to 2008, he coordinated various World Health Organization (WHO) programs aiming to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, genetic, ear and eye diseases.
And from 1999 until 2004, he led the WHO’s Programme for the Prevention of Blindness and Deafness, which aimed to make essential eye and ear care available to all.

Since joining WHO in 1995, Resnikoff has developed public health strategies and contributed to global partnerships such as VISION 2020, involving governments, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and private sector groups. Before this, he worked for 14 years in developing countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, on assignments from the French government to strengthen local and national capacity in disease prevention and control.

Resnikoff is a visiting professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney and also teaches in Geneva and Paris. He devotes his time as the Chair of the International Myopia Institute board, the Chair of Our Children’s Vision advisory board, and the President and Chair of Organisation pour la Prévention de la Cécité (OPC), an NGO active in the prevention of blindness in francophone Africa.

With a PhD from Paris University, an MD from Bordeaux University, and post-graduate degrees in ophthalmology, tropical medicine, air and space medicine, public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics, Professor Resnikoff has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Allyala Krishna Nandakumar

Dr. Nandakumar is an internationally recognized health-financing expert, known specifically for his work in resource tracking, health financing, and healthcare policy and research. Currently, he is Professor of the Practice at Brandeis University, where he is the Director of the Master of Science Program in Global Health and Management and the Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development.

In January 2018, Nandakumar was appointed as the first Chief Economist at the office of the Global AIDS Coordinator at the United States Department of State. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Economist for the Global Health Bureau at USAID.

The focus of Nandakumar’s latest research is on understanding how economic transition can be leveraged to increase country spending on health, the fungibility of donor assistance , factors affecting technology adoption in low and middle-income countries, the link between health expenditures and maternal and infant mortality, and the relationship between growth in a country’s income and its health care spending. His research work has taken him to numerous countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar, Mongolia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Tonga, Western Samoa, US, Sudan, Yemen, and Zambia.

Dr. Nandakumar has a Masters of Science Degree in Mathematics from Bangalore University and a PhD in Economics from Boston University.

Kevin Frick

Kevin D. Frick is an expert in health policy and healthcare economics. He was trained as a health economist and received his PhD in Economics and Health Service Organization and Policy at the University of Michigan. Currently he is Professor and Vice Dean for Educators at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and holds the title of Joint Faculty Appointment in the Department of Healthcare Policy and Management at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“We need research that can help us not only to develop new treatments, but to learn how to contain costs while we are advancing patient care.” – Kevin D. Frick

His research focuses primarily on cost-effectiveness analysis fields spanning from nursing, cancer care and ophthalmology. Frick is a published author and has produced 180 peer-reviewed journals, working as principal author on over 60.

Recognitions

APHA Vision Care Section Distinguished Service (2011)
Upper Darby High School Wall of Fame (2011)
Excellence in Teaching (Summer 2011), Obesity Economics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Golden Apple Award for Small Class Sizes (2011), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Student Assembly
Golden Apple Award for Internet-based Class Sizes (2011), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Student Assembly
Penn State Schreyer Honors College (2009) Outstanding Scholar Alumnus
Advising, Mentoring, Teaching Recognition Award (2009), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Student Assembly
John M. Eisenberg Article-of-the-Year in Health Services Research, (2006). Co-author on “The causes of racial and ethnic differences in influenza vaccination rates among elderly Medicare beneficiaries”. Health Services Research. 2005;40(2):517-38
Student Coordinating Committee Faculty Award, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health and Management (2001)
Atlantic Economic Journal Best Article award for Cross product subsidization in the health insurance market with managed care: a model and issues (2000)
National Institute on Aging, Summer Institute on Aging Research (1997)

Career

Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management (1996-2002)
Joint Appointment, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology (2001-Present)
Joint Appointment, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health (2003-Present)
Joint Appointment, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (2003-Present)
Member, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Healthcare Technology and Decision Sciences Study Section (2002-2006)
Member, National Institutes of Health, National Advisory Council for Nursing Research (2007-2011)

Recent Publications

Frick KD, Kymes SM. Lee PP, Matchar DB, Pezzullo ML, Rein DB, Taylor HR. The cost of visual impairment: purposes, perspectives and guidance. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2010; 51(4): 1801-5
Frick KD, Riva-Clement L, Shankar MB. Screening for refractive error and fitting with spectacles in rural and urban India: cost-effectiveness. Ophthalmic Epidemiology. 2009; 16(6): 378-87.
Spencer CS, Frick KD, Gower EW, Kempen JH, Wolff JL. Disparities in Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Vision Impairment. Ophthalmic Epidemiology. 2009; 16(5): 281-8.
Smith TST, Frick KD, Holden BA, Fricke TR, Naidoo KS. Potential lost productivity resulting from the global burden of uncorrected refractive error. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2009; 87(6): 431-437.
Holden BA, Fricke TR, Ho SM, Wong R, Schlenther G, Cronjé S, Burnett A, Papas E, Naidoo KS, Frick KD. Global vision impairment due to uncorrected presbyopia. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2008; 126(12): 1731-9.

For Full list of Publications: http://www.jhsph.edu/faculty/directory/profile/903/Frick/Kevin

Clare Gilbert

Clare Gilbert is a leading figure in the prevention of childhood blindness, running large-scale projects all around the world. She is a Professor of International Eye Health in the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and has 10 years of experience working as a clinical Ophthalmologist, holding an MD in Surgical Retina. Prior, she completed the MSc in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Currently, Gilbert is also a research advisor for the Eye Health Sightsavers UK, as well as a Scientific Program Advisor under the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

“Having a shared goal is vitally important to good team working.” – Clare Gilbert

The focus of Gilbert’s research is on blindness and the eye diseases of children in low and middle income countries. Since 2006, she has been a member of the ICEH’s Ethics Committee where she also co-directs the eye group.

Arun Bharat Ram

Arun Bharat Ram is a leader in scientific innovation, product development and manufacturing. He is the Chairman of SRF Limited, a leading industrial group specializing in the manufacturing of technical textiles, fluorochemicals, packaging films and furor specialities. He set up SRF in 1970 as a manufacturer of nylon and tire cord and since then has watched the company grow into a global Deming Award winning company.

“We are always looking for good ideas that we can use.” – Arun Bharat Ram

From 2000-2011, Ram was the president of CII and is currently Chairman of CII Education Council, and the Indian Co-Chairman of the Indo German Consultative Group. In 2006, Ram was presented with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit, which he received from the Federal Government in Germany in 2008. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Arun Bharat Ram is a man of business, science and art. In addition to his sizable business venture, he is an accomplished sitar player and supporter of classical art.

Additional Information

Mr. Bharat Ram hails from the renowned business family of Delhi, the owner of the famous Shri Ram Group and DCM with a legacy of more than 100 years.
Member of the Governing body of SPIC–Macay – a society for the promotion of Indian Classical Arts.
Member of the Governing body of The Doon School, Dehradun
An accomplished Sitar player, learnt it from Late Pt. Ravi Shankar

Wang Wei

Dr. Wang Wei brings significant business leadership experience, financial expertise, and entrepreneurship to the Vision Impact Institute board. As an expert in innovative financial tools, corporate restructuring, and industry integration, he has organized and supervised IPO underwritings for over 40 Chinese companies in both domestic and international markets. His business career has taken him to a number of international corporations including Nomura Securities Co. Ltd. in Tokyo, the World Bank in Washington D.C., and Chase Bank in New York. He currently serves as an economic advisor to a number of ministerial and provincial governments in China, and as an independent director of several listed companies.

In addition to his work at well-known companies, Dr. Wang is also the founder of both China Mergers & Acquisitions Association (CMAA), has served as a member of the Shanghai Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Advisory Committee, and was elected as the Chairman of Asia M&A Association (AMAA).

In 2010 he created the Chinese Museum of Finance Group which now operates six museums in five major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang, and Suzhou.

Dr. Wang received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in finance in China and a Ph.D. in economics from Fordham University in New York. In addition to his career success, he has also successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, accomplishing this achievement in 2013.

Recognition

Dr. Wang has been named:

“Top Five Chinese Investment Bankers” by Talents Magazine in 2003
“The Most Influential Independent Director” by Directors & Boards Magazine in 2006
“The Most Influential Investment Banker” by China Finance Network in 2006

Awards

The 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award from The M&A Advisor
The 2013 Social Innovator Award from The Wall Street Journal
The 2015 IFFM Financial Literacy Award

Kovin Naidoo

BSc, BOptom (UDW), MPH (Temple), OD (PCO), PhD (UNSW), FAAO, FBCO

Former student leader, political detainee, banned and house arrested during apartheid, Prof. Naidoo has continued his social consciousness through his academic career. He is a National Research Foundation B-rated researcher, educator and internationally celebrated public health leader and has been revolutionising access and delivery to eye care in Africa and for the disadvantaged throughout the world. A powerful public health advocate, he has devoted his working life to reducing avoidable blindness and vision impairment, with specific emphasis on refractive error.

“By investing in education and training in Latin America, we can create skills and implement optometry education on a local level.” – Kovin Naido

Professor Naidoo is Senior Vice President – 2.5 NVG, Inclusive Business, Philanthropy and Social Impact at Essilor, the former CEO of the Brien Holden Vision Institute and former Chairperson of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (Africa), Associate Professor of Optometry at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN), Adjunct Faculty at Salus University in Philadelphia and Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales (Australia).

Kovin is a researcher who enjoys considerable international recognition by his peers for the high quality and impact of his recent research outputs and has been awarded a B-rating from the National Research Foundation. His research has spanned a plethora of focus areas, however, public health optometry remains at the core. Recognizing the need to develop research capacity in Africa, Prof Naidoo founded the African Vision Research Institute (AVRI). Among his notable contributions in research has been the Global Burden of Blindness articles which provide the most recent additions to the global burden of uncorrected refractive error.

His headship at the Brien Holden Vision Institute spearheaded several initiatives to support eye care, education and employment. Professor Naidoo founded the Global Resource Centre, an important innovation that works to overcome the significant barriers of cost and availability of spectacles and optical equipment, which limits the ability of eye care programmes across the globe from delivering appropriate vision correction. Under his leadership the Public Health Division expanded with programs in Africa, Latin America, India, China and the Western Pacific (53 countries). He initiated the Global Optometry Resource Platform which is developing and supporting schools in Malawi, Mozambique, Eritrea, Cameroon, Mali, Gambia and Guyana with new schools soon in Zimbabwe, Uganda and Haiti. This program is a sustainable solution to the human resources for eye health crises that the developing world faces.

Prof Naidoo is a Fulbright Scholar and was elected as an Ashoka Fellow and a Schwab Fellow and was a co-recipient of the African Social Entrepreneur of the year award in 2010 for his social entrepreneurial efforts in addressing the needs of those less privileged. The American Academy of Optometry awarded him the Essilor Award for outstanding contributions to Optometry in 2010, and the British College of Optometrists awarded him an honorary fellowship in 2009 for his contribution to the development of optometry in Africa and the developing world. He was awarded African Optometrist of the Year (2002), International Optometrist of the Year (2007) and University of KwaZulu Natal’s Convocation Award (2010).

Among Prof Naidoo’s many esteemed affiliations are; Member of the World Council of Optometry Governing Board; WHO Refractive Error Working Group; Founder and Chair of African Vision and Chair of the Red Cross Air Mercy Services board of Trustees.

Eva Lazuka-Nicoulaud

Eva Lazuka-Nicoulaud is the Director, Europe and Africa at the Vision Impact Institute. In her role since September 2018, Eva works with governments, key opinion leaders, non-governmental organizations, professional bodies and other industry partners throughout Europe and Africa to raise awareness and ensure the priority of good vision for citizens of the region.

Eva brings significant experience in the vision care industry to her role from both an expertise and education perspective. Over the past 20 years she has held a variety of international roles in scientific consulting at GIFO, innovation strategy, marketing, communications, and professional affairs at Essilor International. In addition, she has led external influencer engagement, advocacy and strategic lobbying. Most recently she served as head of global key opinion leaders and professional relations, leading advocacy programs with this audience. She has also served as Chief Editor of Points de Vue, the International Review of Ophthalmic Optics.

In addition to her work experience, Eva brings a strong education background to the team. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management, Marketing and Business Development from ESSEC Business School in Paris, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Optics and Contact Lenses from EOL, Optics School in Lille, France. Eva speaks English, French, Polish, and Russian.

Judith Williams

Judith Marcano Williams is the Program Manager – Americas at the Vision Impact Institute. She joined the team in June 2018. In her role, Judith works with governments, key opinion leaders, and non-governmental organizations to raise awareness for healthy vision through advocacy initiatives in the region.

Over her career, Judith has held positions at the World Bank and the Embassy of the Dominican Republic. Her work has included the development and implementation of a portfolio of projects, technical assistance and grants in the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Colombia, El Salvador, and Belize. Judith’s technical experience combines a unique blend of private and government programs in the field of public health and education, working on issues such as health reform, nutrition, health education, and early childhood development. She was responsible for mobilizing advocacy efforts through public and private partnerships for the approval of the CAFTA-DR Free Trade Agreement, improving bilateral relations and promoting cooperation between the two countries.

Judith brings to the job a passion for convening diverse groups of people from the public and private sectors that will benefit all parties. She holds a Master’s in Applied Strategic Management from University of Maryland University College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo.

Andrea Kirsten-Coleman

Andrea Kirsten-Coleman is the Global Communications and Awareness Manager for The Vision Impact Institute. In her role she is responsible for telling the story and creating awareness of the work of the organization.

Having joined the team in 2017, Andrea brings significant global communications expertise to the role. She has worked at for-profit organizations such as Mary Kay Inc. and for nonprofits such as The George W. Bush Institute. Her experience working with teams in Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America, along with her upbringing in South Africa, allows her to bring a global perspective and cultural appreciation to her work.

Andrea earned her BBA in Marketing from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is a past board member of the Dallas Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators and has received a Quill Award of Excellence and Volunteer of the Year Award from the organization. Andrea is active in the Dallas community and a member of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Leadership Dallas Class of 2014.

Kristan Gross

Kristan Gross is Global Executive Director for the Vision Impact Institute. In this role, she leads a global team of experts to create expanded awareness, through evidence-based research, of the global need to prioritize vision health. Prior to taking this position, Kristan served as Global Director of Content and Communications for the organization and successfully led traditional and social media expansion and advocacy initiatives in countries around the world. She is an expert storyteller in the global need for vision care and is dedicated to truly Giving Vision a Voice.

Kristan earned her BA in English and Psychology from East Texas Baptist University. Gross was appointed Vice Chair of Vision2020 USA in 2016, and is a member of the Optical Women’s Association. She was listed in Jobson’s 2014 Most Influential Women in Optical in the Innovation category and has received countless accolades and awards, including a Golden World Award for Excellence from the International Public Relations Association, the Mercury Excellence Award from Mercomm, Inc. and the 2018 Mentor of the Year Award from Women of Visionary Influence (WOVI).