Mesa Clinic Welcomes Volunteer Optometrist
Since the sudden passing of volunteer ophthalmologist Stanley Shorb, M.D., two years ago, Mission of Mercy’s Mesa clinic patients have been lacking vision care services. This month, which also happens to be Healthy Vision Month, we are pleased to announce that optometrist Jonathan Wold, O.D., of San Tan EyeCare in Gilbert will be volunteering at our Mesa clinic starting this summer.
Dr. Wold was connected to Mission of Mercy via a community event in Chandler where a MOM supporter heard about our need for vision care and reached out to Dr. Wold to see if he might be interested in volunteering.
“I heard about MOM’s Mesa clinic needs and I’m excited to have the opportunity to give back professionally to those underserved residents of my hometown who need vision care services on a regular basis,” said Dr. Wold, who is a graduate of Mountain View High School in Mesa.
He will be lending his expertise to MOM patients with type 2 diabetes, specifically looking for health issues like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Patients with type 2 diabetes who often also have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and issues maintaining a healthy weight are most at risk for the condition. Diabetic retinopathy can begin with only mild vision problems, but eventually it can lead to blindness.
Additionally, as a board member of the Arizona Optometric Charitable Foundation, Dr. Wold is working with MOM AZ Executive Director Paula Carvalho to secure a grant from the foundation to fund new optometric equipment for the Mesa clinic.
Dr. Wold is also a current board member, legislative co-chair and past president of the Arizona Optometric Association (AZOA), and a member of the American Optometric Association. Last year, he was named Optometrist of the Year by AZOA.
We are grateful to add another caring medical professional to our roster of dedicated volunteers to expand the care that we are able to offer our patients!
