Fall Eye Team Highlights

REFLECTIONS FROM ERIN LOWRIE, CST

Our trip was filled with meaningful work, teamwork, teaching, and memorable moments. We were thrilled to be joined by a medical doctor from the Philippines, Dr. Tess Heyrosa, who performed MSICS and phacoemulsification cases, bringing valuable expertise and skill to the team.

Our IT technician, Devin, played a pivotal role in supporting the microscope in the first bay, replacing all working components thanks to the generous grant from Zeiss. He successfully got the camera system back to working order. Devin was able to teach a class on troubleshooting equipment in the operating room, which was well received by our amazing Guatemalan team. He did preventative maintenance on the b-scan, OCT, and various testing equipment in the clinic.

Beyond the operating room, we shared moments of connection and joy with the community and each other—including an unforgettable Zumba class under the pouring rain, with thunder and lightning surrounding us. It was a magical reminder of the energy, resilience, and spirit that make these trips so special.

We wrapped the trip up with pizza on the patio, laughter, and the desire to return.

The second eye team to travel to Nuevo Progreso in October joined forces with Dental and Maternal Child Health teams, as well as 22 volunteers from Berkeley Rotary and partners from New World Medical and Glaukos.

In November, vitreoretinal specialist Gaurav Shah, MD, led the final eye team of 2025, comprised of Andrew Lin, MD, Frank Garcia, ST, Pritee Shah and John Willer, DO.