Joannah Vaughan, M.B.A., Instructor of Ophthalmology, founded the preschool vision screening program in response to the fact that Oregon did not screen preschool children for amblyopia, the number one reason for preventable vision loss in children. Amblyopia is a vision condition that may be reversed if treatment occurs before age 5. With the support of Casey Eye Institute, she created a partnership with the Oregon State Elks Association, The Elks Children’s Eye Clinic at OHSU, and the Oregon State Head Start Association. Since 2003, Vaughan has developed and managed the screening program which currently screens over 8,000 preschool children each year. She frequently conducts training for OHSU and UP nursing students, PCC Ophthalmic Techs, the Oregon Head Start State Association and statewide community health clinics. Vaughan has presented vision screening research at international conferences including the World Ophthalmology Congress, the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and at the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Talitha Dale is responsible for managing the team who contacts families once their child has been referred for a dilated vision exam. The screening refers more than 700 children each year.  Dale’s team contacts parents at least four times to make sure that if a child is referred, they go to the eye doctor. Before beginning at the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic Preschool Vision Screening Program, Dale worked at Linn county DHS with child protective services. Her experience with DHS has been a great asset in understanding family’s needs who are enrolled in the Head Start Program. She also oversees our data collection process and assists with the development of presentations and papers reporting the results of the Oregon preschool vision screening experience. Dale has assisted with research presentations at AAPOS 2011 and 2012; AAO in 2011; WOC Berlin in 2010; ARVO 2009 and 2012; AAP 2013.   

Bethany Lang joined the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic Preschool Vision Screening Program in May 2014. Prior to this position, Lang worked for the Hilton Corporation as an event coordinator, establishing a strong background in organization, event planning and a passion for helping others. Lang schedules screenings for the Head Start preschools and See to Read program with Oregon Libraries.     

Jeanne Morehouse is a former educator, having taught preschool, kindergarten, and other Elementary school levels. Morehouse joined the vision screening program team in June 2014 as a vision screener, where she provides training to Head Start locations and public libraries for See to Read events.   

After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Statistics and Mexican Studies, Daniel brings to the program a desire to help the Spanish speaking community through follow up and research. Daniel is a bilingual follow up coordinator assisting parents in making pediatric eye exams and providing necessary resources for treatment. In addition, Daniel assists with statistical analysis for research pertaining to quality control of photoscreening devices.