Belinda Starkey, OD, of Rogers, Arkansas, serving her second year as President of the American Optometric Association (AOA) Foundation, is driven by a passion for philanthropy that began in her undergraduate years.
Under her leadership, the AOA Foundation has been working to promote access to health and vision care, expand access and support the future of optometry. Dr. Starkey’s commitment is evident in the programs she champions.
InfantSEE
InfantSEE falls under the Optometry Cares umbrella. This initiative aims to establish a routine of comprehensive exams for infants at no cost within their first year. Dr. Starkey has been a provider for InfantSEE since its inception. She often witnessed firsthand the life-changing impacts of early detection on children’s health and learning.
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Optometry Fund for Disaster Relief
Another significant initiative is the Optometry Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR), which helps optometrists whose homes or practices have been damaged. This program enables them to return to providing essential eye care services to their communities quickly. It can also help relief workers who may be suffering from eye injuries. “There’s often an urgent need for optometrists to be back in action,” she says.
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Opportunities in Optometry
The foundation also promotes diversity and equity through the Opportunities in Optometry program, which offers a one-time stipend to students interested in optometry. This financial support helps cover application fees, exam costs and even attire for interviews. This makes the path to becoming an optometrist more accessible.
Despite the foundation’s impactful work, Dr. Starkey notes that many people are unaware of its existence. She reflects on her own experience. She admits she knew more about InfantSEE than the other initiatives of the foundation itself early in her career. As president, she is determined to change that by spreading the word about the foundation’s efforts and its crucial role in the optometry community.
Dr. Starkey often finds herself at optometry functions, raising funds not just for political action committees but for the foundation as well. As the AOA’s charity of choice, the foundation deserves the support of ODs, she says. “We want to ensure that its programs continue to make a significant difference in people’s lives.”
Read about the 2024 AOA on the Hill, an annual event where AOA members advocate for optometry.
