Veteran Optometrist Travels Internationally to Help Others
Joe Chambers, O.D. is no stranger to service. For 24 years, Dr. Chambers served our country, providing eye care to military personnel in the U.S. Army and Air National Guard. Now this veteran and Optometrist is giving back by traveling overseas and bringing eye care to the developing world.
Dr. Chambers has participated in six international mission trips, most recently traveling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the nonprofit group, the Mobile Medical Mission. National Vision proudly supported this mission trip with a donation of glasses.
About Dr. Chamber’s Trip
The Mobile Medical Mission has provided ocular surgery and vision screening for ocular health issues and vision problems for over 38 years.
This year’s group consisted of 28 volunteers.
In addition to Dr. Chambers, there were two ophthalmologists, a third year ophthalmology resident and an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) physician who performed surgery on 86 people for cataracts, corneal grafts and an ocular tumor removal.
Nurses, optometry techs and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) performed vision and health screenings on over 650 people in just five days.
Over 300 pairs of reading glasses were prescribed and another 300 patients were provided glasses from a supply provided by the Lions Club. Over 100 patients were treated for glaucoma and referred for follow-up treatment with local ophthalmologists; 80 were referred for cataract surgery; and many others were referred for an array of ocular problems.
The Impact
Dr. Chambers shared with us a touching story of a 5-year-old girl with a significant prescription. There were no glasses available with her prescription so Dr. Chambers brought her script back to Tennessee; the Associates at the America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City provided glasses for this young girl.
He also told us of a seamstress who required a special prescription. The team was able to provide her with two pairs of glasses – one for distance and one for her sewing.
More About Dr. Chambers
Dr. Chambers graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 1970. He entered the U.S. Army soon after, in August of that year. He was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas; Ft. Leonard, Missouri; and Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, where he was Chief of Optometry at Bassett Army Hospital in Fairbanks for two and a half years.
After completing active duty, Dr. Chambers transferred to the Air National Guard where he served for an additional 20 years, the majority of the time as Chief of Optometry. He retired in 1994 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
During his time in the military, Dr. Chambers was awarded the Army and Air Force Commendation Medal; the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal; the National Defense Medal for service during the first Gulf War; and Optometrist of the Year in the Air National Guard.
Dr. Chambers has been practicing optometry in Tennessee since 1974, serving on the Tennessee Board of Examiners from 1982 through 1992. He currently practices with Nashville Regional Eye Care, P.C., an independent medical practice with multiple locations within America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses stores in Tennessee.
On a personal note, Dr. Chambers just celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Darlene.
It is an honor to have Dr. Chambers practicing in our America’s Best locations. Not only because of his service to our country, but for the impact he is making bringing quality eye care not only to Americans, but to the entire world.
Jessica Altamirano
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