Laser Vision SA and Cataract Surgery SA are Adelaide based eye surgery practices established to improve quality of life through improved vision.
Founder and Medical Director,
Dr Graham Fraenkel, an Adelaide Ophthalmologist for 22 years, started partnering with The Fred Hollows Foundation in 2005. For every patient procedure to improve vision, Laser Vision SA and Cataract Surgery SA donates $50 to improve vision and help end avoidable blindness in more than 25 countries around the world. Over the last 15 years, they have donated enough to restore sight to more than 30,000 people.
Dr Fraenkel sits down with Jessica Millar, Senior Partnership Executive at The Foundation, to talk about what this partnership means to him and his business.
What motivated you to start supporting The Fred Hollows Foundation way back in 2005?
In 2005, I had established my own private practice which is now Laser Vision SA and Cataract Surgery SA and was running a day surgery specialising in lens surgery as well. So, after being an eye surgeon for seven years, my career had reached a point where it was time to give back. Partnering with The Fred Hollows Foundation was an obvious way to do that.
Apart from the personality of Fred Hollows himself, what made you choose The Fred Hollows Foundation to give back?
I love the way The Fred Hollows Foundation makes the most of every dollar donated. The Fred Hollows Foundation has won national awards for governance and transparency. Part of The Foundation’s philosophy is to help, establish, then move on. Many organisations do great work, but it doesn’t necessarily last if training, infrastructure and economical models are not put in place at each location to continue that benefit. The Fred Hollows Foundation does this, as well as educating populations on the benefits of cataract surgery to patients, their family and their local community.
What does partnering with The Fred Hollows Foundation mean for your practice?
This partnership means everyone in the practice gets an extra boost from their work, not only knowing we have improved vision and quality of life for patients we meet at Laser Vision SA and Cataract Surgery SA, but that we are also helping people we likely will never meet in less fortunate places around the world, through our partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation.
COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Hugh Rutherford (2012)