SAN DIEGO, CA June 21, 2010 – Michael Goldsmid, O.D. San Diego County Optometric Society member, was awarded the prestigious “Philanthropist of the Year” award by the global fundraising initiative, “Optometry Giving Sight” (OGS). The OGS specifically targets the prevention of unnecessary blindness and impaired vision due to refractive error.
Dr. Goldsmid, a private practice optometrist, is also an administrator in Vision Source, North America’s largest network of private practice optometrists, and of the 40 plus members in Dr. Goldsmid’s San Diego group all are members of the AOA, he proudly points out.
It was among this group, that Goldsmid raised $50,000 for OGS, and awarded the recognition. “Dr. Goldsmid is being recognized for his overall leadership, advocacy and contributions to Optometry Giving Sight,” said Victor J. Connors, OD, Past AOA president and chairman and CEO of “Optometry Giving Sight USA.”
“The most significant of his contributions is the fact that he has stepped up as an ambassador providing timely and passionate leadership and advocacy with his Vision Source colleagues,” added Dr. Connors in recognizing Goldsmid for his outstanding efforts.
OGS (www.givingsight.org) is a joint initiative of the World Optometry Foundation, The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international groups aiming to eliminate avoidable blindness and give all people in the world the right to sight.
Dr. Goldsmid, on receiving his award stated, “My greatest joy would be for other optometrists to fully participate in this effort to what has proven to be such a worthy, inspirational and achievable cause.”
It is estimated that 670 million people are unnecessarily blind or visually impaired because they cannot get the glasses they need. Optometry Giving Sight funds the solution. OGS reaches out to the more than 200,000 optometrists around the world, and their nearly 325 million patients to fund these programs.