SEE International’s 50th Anniversary Golden Gala

The 50^th Anniversary of SEE International was celebrated with a Golden Gala at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Thursday, October 24. Guests arrived in formal attire, with many traveling here from 36 countries and across the U.S.

The gala commenced on the third-floor rotunda area with a photo op, cocktail hour, catching up with friends, and live music. From there we were escorted to the Reagan Room for the formal dinner and program.

The Gala’s Honorary Committee Chair was Keith Moore, with his committee: Mara Abboud, Hiroko Benko, Beverly Cavaliere, Caryl Crahan, Missy Chandler DeYoung, Jody Dolan Holehouse, George Leis, Maria McCall, Katherine Murray-Morse, and Gary Simpson.

SEE International President & CEO Donald Bell welcomed the guests and thanked the key sponsors. He said, “Restored sight leads to restored opportunity. SEE International treats the societal impact of those who need eye care but can’t afford it.”

Keynote speaker was Dr. Helena Ndume, SEE’s Volunteer Ophthalmologist from Namibia, Africa, who acknowledged working with the late Dr. Michael Colvard. She recalled meeting Dr. Harry Brown in 1997 which launched her work with SEE International who supports her clinic. She recognized Brown’s children who were at the dinner, namely, Cathi Brown, Kelly Brown, Bradford Brown, and Anny Ashbrook. Ndume said, “I have witnessed first-hand what restored sight means to people, and to be able to see in Namibia is the difference between surviving or not. My clinic has restored sight to over 59,000 people and changed the lives of generations. When each of us, no matter where we are, can do a little bit of good, we can change the world.”

She was followed by Dr. Jeffrey Levenson, who shared his personal experience having cataracts and corrective surgery, which led him to work with SEE International. Dr. Rupert Chowins recognized 24^th District former Congresswoman Lois Capps who was present for her work promoting Vision Care. He talked about founding his San Luis Obispo eye clinic 15 years ago after volunteering at a hospital in Guatemala where they have done 19,000 surgeries in remote areas. Dr. Rajesh Saini provided details of his work at the Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital located near Nepal and Bangladesh, with inspiring stories of children with cataracts being able to see again with these important surgeries supported by SEE International. Dr. Madhavi Reddy from Texas directed her speech to the future of SEE International and what to accomplish next, stating, “Goals are to increase the training of young ophthalmologists in regions of need, and for specialists in retinal surgery and other eye specialties, and to increase direct supplies to support partnering international sites and open more local clinics.”

From there, Geoff Green led the Ask starting at $25,000 with an immediate paddle raise by Dr. Levenson – Chief Medical Officer of SEE International, and the Medical Director of Levenson Eye in Jacksonville, Florida. After a thunderous applause from the attendees, Levenson announced he would match an additional $25,000 to anyone who would donate the same. Green put it out there and another paddle was raised to donate $25,000, thus reaching $75,000 in the first five minutes. It was a constant stream of paddle raises to Green’s wit securing an estimated $151,000. The total funding goal is $350,000, with proceeds to support SEE clinics in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, SEE International clinics, and SEE Education initiatives to train medical professionals. Check the 411 to donate.

Closing remarks were made by Doctors Preeti and Janak Shah, who lauded the Honorees and Humanitarian 2024 award winners.

Following the program close, guests were given a commemorative wine glass and were off to an after-party with dancing and cocktails.

Attendees included VIPs Dr. John Crowder, SEE International Founding Board Member – Trustee Emeritus, and Gary Simpson; Alcon representatives traveling from Texas were Rhonda Bryant, Christal Clarke, Jill Ames, and Jody White; and from Sansum Clinic – Sutter Health were Toni Meyers M.D., Sitara Hanif Hirji M.D., Rebecca Hammel, Rosario Reynoso, Kirsten Wagner, Mica Bergman, Paulette Enriquez, Eliseo Rubio and Kristin Aller.

Also attending were the SEE International Board’s Scott Groff, Chair; Dr. Jeffrey Levenson, Chief Medical Officer; Howard Hudson, CPA,Board Treasurer and Secretary; Wright Watling, Assistant Secretary; and Board MembersDr. Dante Pieramici, William O’Connor, Lt. Col. Travis Morrow Esq., Kenneth Gack Esq., Dr. Madhavi Reddy andDr. Lauren Shatz.

Golden Gala Lead Sponsor was Alcon. Top sponsors were Drs. Ilene and Jeff Levenson, Drs. Madhavi and Sundeep Reddy, David and Patricia Markoff, Robert Behrens, Dr. Michael Paveloff and Dr. Steven Carter’s Paveloff Vision Center, Genetech, The Julia Stearns Dockweiler Charitable Foundation, The Hutton Parker Foundation, CenCal Health, Sansum Clinic – Sutter Health, David and Patricia Markoff, Drs. Randall and Karen Goodman/Shepard Eye Center, Dr. Daniel and Ruth Shepard/ Shepard Eye Center, Howard and Lynn Hudson, and Montecito Bank and Trust.

SEE International, founded by the late Dr. Harry Brown, is dedicated to sight-restoring surgeries and essential eye care worldwide. 

411: www.seeintl.org