Message from the PAOF Chair

Dear All:

This is my last message as President of the Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation which makes it very special. I have mixed feelings, first of joy and satisfaction for having contributed to the development of our Foundation, and on the other hand, nostalgia in anticipation of leaving a position that has given me so much satisfaction.

The Foundation has a very important and relevant mission, which, thanks to the presidents who preceded me, has been growing. I hope to have contributed to some extent to perpetuate that path of growth. St. Francis of Assisi used to say: “Works are love and not good reasons”. I hope that the activities we have created during my tenure speak for themselves. And I say “we” because it has been thanks to your generous support that we have been able to do it.

Generosity is a distinctive sign of high spirits, and with your works, you have given testimony of humanity and solidarity, but also of gratitude because when one donates to a cause, what one does is to give back to what life has given us. It is said that we all have a social mortgage to pay and that it is with our contribution to great causes that we pay it. The fight to prevent blindness through the training of ophthalmology specialists is the mission of our Association and of the Foundation’s programs.

I invite you in this last message to help us not only with your donations but also by attracting colleagues who can join any of the many causes we have in the Foundation. We must continue to grow in the number of donors. We have to establish this culture in the Pan-American ophthalmological population. There is a huge area of opportunity in virtually every country in our region. We need more donors.

I take this opportunity to thank the entire team for their unconditional support. To Teresa for her great leadership and teachings, Terri for her continued support. You are our most valuable assets.

I can only wish the best of success to Dr. Fernando Arevalo, President-elect of this Foundation. I know his leadership ability, so I have no doubt that he will play an extraordinary role and will lead our Foundation to greater achievements.

Thank you,

Jorge E. Valdez MD PhD

Chair
Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation (PAOF)