Volunteer Health Program Ltd.

“The report is reviewed by management prior to issuance. The 990 is prepared by an independent cpa and sent to management for review and the entire governing body prior to filing.”

“The organization makes its form 990 available for public inspection as required under section 6104 of the internal revenue code. The return is also posted on guidestar.org and other similar types of websites. In addition, the financial statements, conflict of interest policy, articles of incorporation and by-laws are also available upon written request or by calling the organization directly.”

“American neighbors. An essential part of our effort is to work in a close partnership with those who live and work in the region we are serving. Vhp is committed to offering educational support to health care providers in areas that we serve. Our mission group provides comprehensive on-site diagnosis, surgical and medical treatment of eye disease. The distribution of corrective glasses for those in need is also an essential part of the program. Physicians, nurses, and trained eye screening volunteers are our most valued recourses. The superior knowledge and skills of this broad-based team and their compassionate concern for each patient's welfare is the basis for the volunteer health program. Background: founded in 1993 by dr. Robert della rocca and darlene della rocca, rn honduras 1994 and 1995: the volunteer health program's first two eye care missions were in gracious, honduras, in 1994-1995. There was a great need at this site; however, needed follow up care for our patients was difficult. Dominican republic: annual mission 1995 through 2023 and preparing for 2024. The second project site was started in 1995 with ilac (institute of latin american concern) in santiago de los caballeros, dominican republic. For the past 55 years, ilac's health care services have been based on a true and integral commitment to the struggling campesinos (farmers) of the remote areas in the dominican republic. They service 220 communities and have trained over 265 local health care volunteers (cooperadores) from these communities to assist in the primary health care and screening. The cooperadores are trained by ilac, with educational aids from vhp to select patients in need of eye care. They accompany patients to the ilac mission headquarters, stay at their side during treatment and /or surgery and monitor their progress in the villages. As the patients from the rural communities come into the mission site for eye care they are registered, given an eye examination and corrective lenses as needed. Their medical and surgical problems are addressed and treated as needed. This year the march 4 - 11, 2023 consisted of all our specialties. Our team of 84 volunteers saw 1,580 patients chosen by our ilac hosts. That group of patients were given an eye exam, eyeglasses if needed, glaucoma checks, full ocular exam if needed, supported with medications, by our internal medicine physicians, for other physical needs such as hypertension, diabetes, etc. The teams of cataract, strabismus ocular plastics, dermatology performed 352 surgeries. Eye prosthetics were provided for 34 patients. In past missions we find adult blindness secondary to mature cataract formation can be treated successfully, restoring useful vision to these patients. Many of the surgical cases are children with strabismus (crossing of the eyes). Our oculoplastic and reconstruction surgical team helps with tumors, lid positions, lacrimal disorders, congenital and traumatic deformities. Most of the laser treatments are to treat glaucoma and retinal disease. Dermatology physicians treat a wide variety of diseases related to their field. Through ilac, we have worked in conjunction with a local ophthalmologist that has provided follow up care for all surgical patients. Early in 2004 ilac finished construction on their clinic/hospital at the mission site. We were the first to use this wonderful facility on our march/april '04 mission. We had much to do in the vision of developing and furnishing the hospital site. This makes it much easier for our group and several others, in different disciplines, to offer their volunteer services to the people. Other areas that we have helped ophthalmologists work were, jerusalem, in 2002, '03, '04, '05, '06, 2012, 2013 working with st. Johns eye hospital for 10 days. We supported the philippine mission eye mission, directed by nelson co, crna, working for one week, 2003-2019. This is a sincere thank you note as well. We are most grateful for the support that w”