CNETRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN: Florida Eye Associates Philanthropic ‘Rock Star’
By Maria Sonnenberg // November 3, 2013
2013 central florida humanitarians
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: For Brevard Health Alliance to succeed in its mission, it depends on a network of healthcare partners. The “rock star” among this group is Florida Eye Associates.
The physicians at Florida Eye Associates have an eye for commitment.
“If they take on a patient for us, they continue the treatment through the end,” said Lisa Gurri, CEO of Brevard Health Alliance, the county’s only federally qualified health center and a provider of primary health services to Brevard residents, regardless of their ability to pay.
For Brevard Health Alliance to succeed in its mission, it depends on a network of healthcare partners. The “rock star” among this group is Florida Eye Associates.
“We wholeheartedly rely on Florida Eye,” said Gurri.
“Other groups used to help with our patients’ eye problems, but nobody else but Florida Eye does it now. Through the years, they always have without hesitation taken on any indigent patients. These are individuals at risk of losing their sight and they have issues that are hard to get under control.”
SAVING THE SIGHT OF THE INDIGENT
Gurri estimates that Florida Eye Associates has donated more than $1 million in care to indigent patients of Brevard Health Alliance, expertly addressing many dangerous visual issues that are often part and parcel of chronic health conditions.
“For example, patients with diabetes can have vascular changes and have bleeding behind their eyes,” said Gurri. “One of the standards of care for these patients is to have annual eye exams, but these patients cannot afford that.”
Florida Eye Associates, under the leadership of Drs. William Broussard and Ralph Paylor, donates the time and talent of their team of ophthalmologists, optometrists and associated healthcare staff for comprehensive exams and visual correction, as well as necessary procedures, such as retinal and cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment and laser surgery.
“They provide a full range of ophthalmology for us, and have done so for 15 years, since our organization started,” said Gurri. “I can think of several patients of ours who would have been blind by now had it not been for Florida Eye Associates.”
“They provide a full range of ophthalmology for us, and have done so for 15 years, since our organization started,” said Gurri. “I can think of several patients of ours who would have been blind by now had it not been for Florida Eye Associates.”
In addition to its constant efforts on behalf of patients of Brevard Health Alliance, Florida Eye Associates supports a host of local and national organizations that spans a range of very different missions, including the American Cancer Society, The Haven Club Esteem, Brevard Neighborhood Development Coalition, Junior Achievement, Nana’s House, Lion’s Club, Florida Institute of Technology, Indialantic Elementary School, Viera High School, Brevard Schools Foundation, American Red Cross, Health First Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation and the Allen Broussard Conservancy.
PIONEER PRACTICE FOUNDED IN 1967
Florida Eye has also helped sponsor events that enrich our community, such as the Brevard Music Marathon and the Melbourne and Space Coast Art Festivals, as well as provided relief for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Founded in 1967 by Dr. Broussard, Florida Eye Associates was Brevard’s first ophthalmology group practice.
Dr. Broussard opened his practice with a mission to provide comprehensive, quality services to the community. As Brevard County’s population grew, Florida Eye Associates became the area’s first ophthalmology group practice, adding physicians and subspecialists as the community’s needs changed.
Since then, Florida Eye Associates has remained committed to providing our patients with quality care at a convenient time and location for a reasonable price.
“I am proud to be a part of Florida Eye Associates and give back to this community,” said Dr. Ralph Paylor, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
As far as Gurri sees it, Florida Eye Associates definitely walks the walk when it comes to giving for the benefit of the community.
“Florida Eye Associates does it all,” said Gurri.
ABOUT THE 2013 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their Time, Talent or Treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
This year, more than 30 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, with the festivities beginning at 6 p.m.
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“We remain firmly committed to identifying and telling those stories and providing a timely media platform to recognize Space Coast and Central Florida residents’ altruistic contributions on a regular basis in our magazines, as well as SpaceCoastDaily.com,” said Dr. Palermo.
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by Brighthouse Networks, Health First, Brevard Physicians Network, Florida Pain, Forever Florida, MPAC ACO, Brevard Geriatrics, Community Credit Union, Clear Choice Health Care, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, First Choice Medical Group, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine, CentralFloridaMedicine.com and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-615-8111 or e-mail SpaceCoastMedicine@gmail.com.
