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  • Shift Happens: Optimizing Donor Coordinator Schedules
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 02/12/2026 at 2:00 PM (EST)

    Register today to learn more about supporting donor coordinators at your eye bank.

    Donor Coordinators are the heart of every eye bank, working 24/7 to take referrals, assess donor suitability, and support grieving families in their most difficult moments. But the long hours and emotional demands of this vital role can take a heavy toll—leading to burnout, low job satisfaction, and high turnover. Join Christina Vittoz (Quality Assurance Director/Donor and Recipient Family Liaison, Cincinnati Eye Bank) and Jolie Schmidt (Director of Clinical Operations, Lions Gift of Sight) as they share how their organizations have reimagined scheduling to put people first. They will discuss practical, proven strategies to boost Donor Coordinator well-being, increase engagement and morale, and reduce turnover and build a stronger, more resilient team. 

    Learning Objectives:

    • Learn methods for increasing engagement among Donor Coordinators
    • Identify scheduling options to enhance operations
    • Gain ideas for minimizing turnover

     

    Register today to learn more about supporting donor coordinators at your eye bank.

    Christina Vittoz, MA

    Quality Assurance Director

    The Cincinnati Eye Bank

    Christina Vittoz, MA, is the Quality Assurance Director at The Cincinnati Eye Bank. She has contributed to the donation community in both working with her local OPO in the Call Center and Eye Bank for over 9 years. Christina currently serves on DPCR Committee. Her time away from work is spent running between sports and school events with her three teenagers and with what time is left she spends with her fiancé, Jim, baking, painting, doing photography and floral arrangements. 

    Jolie Schmidt, CEBT

    Director of Clinical Operations

    Lions Gift of Sight

    Jolie Schmidt, CEBT, is the Director of Clinical Operations at Lions Gift of Sight. She oversees the Donor Coordination team, Medical Director Designees, and Distribution/Allocation. Jolie has been with Lions Gift of Sight since 2018, and has over 12 years of experience in donation. She currently serves on the Technical Procedures Manual Subcommittee. When not at work, Jolie enjoys snuggling with her dogs, listening to entirely too much Taylor Swift, and conducting paranormal investigations.

  • REGISTER NOW!

    2026 Technician Education Seminar
    Contains 124 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 01/30/2026 at 12:00 PM (EST)

    Attend the most comprehensive course on eye banking, register for the TES today!

    The Technician Education Seminar is a comprehensive virtual course providing a detailed overview of eye banking.

    This hybrid course features on-demand sessions and a series of live virtual workshops. The on-demand sessions are released in two sections and then the live workshops are facilitated on Zoom and provide interactive activities, demos, and lively discussion around the topics covered in the on-demand presentations. Led by expert faculty, the seminar features lectures, live case study discussions, networking opportunities, and demonstrations. 

    This course is intended for early career eye bank professionals and focuses on the practical, technical, and scientific aspects of eye banking.  

    Course Schedule 

    Seminar Schedule (EST) 

    • December 15    On-Demand Sessions Released
    • January 7         Course Officially Begins 
    • January 30       Live Session (12:00 pm – 2:30 pm) 
    • February 6       Live Session (12:00 pm – 2:30 pm) 
    • February 13     Live Session (12:00 pm – 2:30 pm) 

     

    The course includes:

    • 50 on-demand sessions including presentations, skills videos, and bonus content
    • Participation in 3 live virtual workshops
    • Case study discussions
    • Demonstrations and interactive experiences
    • One-year access to the course presentations and materials
    • Access to a TES 2026 Virtual Course Lens Group
    • A certificate upon course completion 

    Course Information

    Copyright Notice
    The EBAA is pleased to share these materials with you for the purpose of your technical education. The materials are subject to the following conditions:

    ·       The presentations in this course are the property of EBAA and are solely for the education of attendees registered for the 2026 Technician Education Seminar.

    ·       These materials not to be shared with anyone other than the attendee of record registered for the seminar.

    ·       The materials should not be copied or used outside of the Technician Education Seminar. 

     

    Expectations
    Attendees are expected to view all presentations, attend the live session, and participate in the Lens discussions. Individuals must have access to a computer with a functioning microphone, speaker, and camera.
     
    Presentations
    The presentations are listed below. The recording time for each video is included below for your reference.  

     

    EBAA Resources 

    EBAA Overview (9 minutes): Stacey Gardner

    Accessing EBAA Resources (8 minutes): Herocia Hawkins

    EBAA Certification Program and Exam Information (30 minutes): Stacey Gardner

     

    Section I

    Kick Off Presentation (10 minutes): Stacey Gardner

    Eye Banking: Introduction and Overview (22 minutes) Speaker: Jennifer Li, MD

    History of Eye Banking (18 minutes):  Mark Mannis, MD

    EBAA Medical Standards (8 minutes):  Jennifer Li, MD

    Membership, Personnel and Governance (26 minutes):  Jennifer DeMatteo, MCM, CIC

    Cornea Recipient Testimonial (10 minutes): Alex Friedant

    Role of the Technician (14 minutes):  Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT

    Quality Assurance (32 minutes): Kip Hoffman

    Documentation (17 minutes): Monica Freiburger, CEBT

    Safety, Infection Control and Biohazard Waste (32 minutes): Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT

    Eye Bank Related Infections and Other Transmissible Diseases (2 hours and 6 minutes): Sean Edelstein, MD 

    Donor Screening (20 min): Darrell Lee, CEBT

    Authorization and Donor Risk Assessment Interview (11 minutes): Saira Quraishy, CEBT

     

    Section II:

    Ocular Anatomy Part 1 (31 minutes): Asim Farooq, MD

    Ocular Anatomy Part 11 (46 minutes): Asim Farooq, MD

    Serological Testing (33 minutes): Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT

    Physical Inspection (34 minutes): Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT

    Donor Maintenance (24 minutes): Dana Owens, CEBT

    Aseptic Technique (12 minutes): Dana Owens, CEBT

    Recovery and Preservation (42 minutes): Dana Owens, CEBT

    Tissue Storage (14 minutes): Patrick Becker, CEBT

     

    Section III

    Slit Lamp Microscopy Part 1 (43 minutes): George Rosenwasser, MD, CEBT

    Slit Lamp Microscopy Part 1 (52 minutes): George Rosenwasser, MD, CEBT

    Specular Microscopy (37 minutes): Paul Graves, CEBT

    Tissue Processing (29 minutes): Chris Conwell, CEBT

    Post-Processing Evaluation (20 minutes): Anthony Vizzerra, CEBT

    Ophthalmic Procedures (1 hour 45 minutes): Joshua Hou, MD

     

    Section IV

    Hospital Development 101 (14 minutes):  Fred Jordan, FSL

    Sealing and Packaging (15 minutes):  Kerry Gray

    Tissue Distribution (11 minutes):  Brian Philippy, CEBT

    Equipment Maintenance, Cleaning, and Sterilization (21 minutes) Nick Hicks, CEBT

    Barcelona Principles (10 minutes) Graeme Pollock, PhD

     

    Skills Videos & Bonus Content

    Role of the Medical Director – Joshua Hou, MD

    Physical Assessment - San Diego Eye Bank

    Physical Assessment for Competency - The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration

    Donor Preparation – Eversight

    Donor Preparation – Miracles In Sight

    Corneal Tissue Recovery – In Situ Procedure – Eversight

    Corneal Tissue Recovery – In Situ Procedure – San Diego Eye Bank

    Ocular Tissue Recovery – Whole Eye Dissection - Eversight

    Ocular Tissue Recovery – Enucleation Procedure – San Diego Eye Bank

    Slit Lamp Microscopy – Evaluating Tissue – Paul Graves, CEBT, CTBS

    Ocular and Tissue Donation: Working Together to Enhance Lives- Dana Owens and Emmitt A. Savannah, III, CTBS

    Understanding and Identifying Sepsis – Beverly Forsyth, MD

    Paton Lecture: The Unsung Heroes of Eye Banking – Bennie Jeng, MD

    EBAA Accreditation Program – Adam Stockman, CEBT

    Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) - Martin De La Presa, MD

    DSAEK- Pull Through Technique - Joshua Hou, MD

    DSAEK With Sheets Glide - Jennifer Li, MD

    DMEK - Pull-Through Technique with Novel Infusion Forceps - Divya Srikumaran, MD

    Course Schedule (EST)

    • December 15               On-Demand Sessions Available
    • January 7                     Course Officially Begins
    • January 30                   Live Session 1 (12:00 pm – 2:30 pm) 
    • February 6                   Live Session 2 (12:00 pm – 2:30 pm) 
    • February 13                 Live Session 3 (12:00 pm – 2:30 pm) 

     

    The tentative schedule for the course can be found in the link below.

    Schedule

    Jennifer Li, MD

    Medical Director

    Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank

    Jennifer Li, MD, is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UC Davis Eye Center where she is the Director of the Cornea and External Disease Service and the Fellowship Director. Dr. Li received her medical degree and completed her residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and subsequently completed a fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at UC Davis. She is also the Co-Medical Director of Sierra Donor Services in Sacramento, CA.  Dr. Li is an active member of EBAA, serving on the Board of Directors, the Accreditation Board, the Scientific Programs Committee, and the Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Li previously served as the Chair of the Medical Advisory Board and is the Immediate Past Chair of the EBAA Board of Directors and Governance Committee.  She received the EBAA R. Townley Paton Award in 2021.

    Martin De La Presa, MD

    Medical Director

    Grene Vision Group

    Martin de la Presa, MD, is an ophthalmic surgeon specializing in cornea, cataract and ocular surface reconstruction.  Dr. de la Presa attended medical school at the University of Utah followed by a general surgery internship at the Oregon Health & Science University. He then attended the University of Minnesota for comprehensive ophthalmology residency and completed a fellowship in cornea and external disease at the Cincinnati Eye Institute. He has earned numerous honors and awards for his research including the NASA Earth & Space Health Innovation Award, AMA Healthier Nation Innovation Award, ASCRS Resident Excellence Award, and is a recent participant in the EBAA Physician Leadership Program. Dr. de la Presa is the Associate Medical Director for Saving Sight and currently serves on the EBAA Accreditation Board.

    Divya Srikumaran

    Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

    Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute

    Divya Srikumaran, MD, is an associate professor of ophthalmology in the Division of Cornea and External Disease at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute. She received her M.D. degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, after which she completed her ophthalmology residency and cornea fellowship training at the Wilmer Eye Institute. Dr. Srikumaran’s research interest includes the assessment of corneal transplant outcomes and risk factors for receiving keratoplasty through big data sources including administrative claims data. She received the Hoskins Center IRIS Registry Research Fund Award through the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as the EBAA Pilot Research grant to study real-world endothelial keratoplasty outcomes. Dr. Srikumaran is leading a team to integrate Wilmer’s Clinical data into the IRIS registry and the SOURCE EHR repository.  She is also a renowned educator and currently serves as Vice Chair of Education and was previously residency program director. As Vice Chair of Education, she has an interest in medical education and studying best practices to support doctors in training. Blending her passion for both education and expertise in corneal surgery, Dr. Srikumaran has also studied barriers to adoption of advanced keratoplasty procedures in the US and abroad. Dr. Srikumaran is a participant in the EBAA Physician Leadership Program and serves on the Scientific Programs Committee.  

    Joshua H. Hou, MD

    Associate Professor

    University of Minnesota/Lions Gift of Sight

    Joshua Hou, MD, is an Associate Professor and the Lyon Chair of Ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences at the University of Minnesota. He received a BS in Chemistry from Duke University (Durham, NC), where he graduated summa cum laude. He received his MD from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO). He then completed an ophthalmology residency and a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary. Dr. Hou currently serves as the Cornea Fellowship Director at the University of Minnesota and maintains a busy tertiary referral practice specialized in complex corneal transplantation and severe ocular surface disease. He is currently the Medical Director of the Lions Gift of Sight Eye Bank, serves as  Chair of the EBAA Scientific Programs Committee, and is an Associate Editor of the Eye Banking and Corneal Transplantation Journal. He leads an NIH funded laboratory at the University of Minnesota and his research interests include eye banking, tissue processing, and limbal stem cell deficiency.

    Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT

    President & CEO

    Miracles In Sight

    Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT, began a career in ocular transplantation in 1999 at the Lone Star Lions Eye Bank in Austin, Texas.  During her 13 years there, she performed all aspects of eye banking in her role as Technical Director. Ingrid accepted a position with North Carolina Eye Bank in 2013 as the Supervisor of Recovery Services. In 2016, she earned her MBA in leadership and was promoted to the Vice President of Donor Logistics after the acquisition of ocular recovery services in South Carolina.  Ingrid was responsible for the day-to-day logistical operations of the donor recovery process, hospital development, Medical Examiner and Coroner relationships in North and South Carolina. In 2020, Ingrid led the project for the acquisition of the Lone Star Eye Bank, now Miracles In Sight, Lone Star Division. In June of 2022, Ingrid was promoted to President & CEO of Miracles In Sight. Ingrid is an active member in the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and serves as chair of the Technician Education Committee, EBAA Medical Advisory Board and Certification Board. Ingrid served in the United States Army, HHC, 2AD as the Commanding General’s Attendant. Prior to her career in eye banking, she taught high school Spanish and English.

    Bennie Jeng, MD, MS

    Chair of Ophthalmology

    Penn Medicine

    Bennie H. Jeng, MD, MS, is the Harold G. Scheie Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, and Director of the Scheie Eye Institute, of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Washington University and his MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He then completed his ophthalmology residency and chief residency at the Cole Eye Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, followed by a fellowship in cornea and external diseases at the Francis I. Proctor Foundation/University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in 2003.

    He returned back to the Cole Eye Institute to serve on faculty, during which time he was the recipient of a K-grant from the NIH and also earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Investigation from Case Western Reserve University. He subsequently returned to Proctor/UCSF as an Associate Professor and then Full Professor, where he served as co-director of the UCSF cornea service, Director of the Proctor/UCSF Cornea Fellowship program, and Chief of Ophthalmology at San Francisco General Hospital, as well as being an R01-funded researcher in ocular surface diseases. In August 2013, Dr. Jeng began his tenure as Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he served for nearly 9 years. He assumed his current position in July 2022.

    Dr. Jeng has been very active with EBAA, dedicating his time and expertise to the association. He has served on the Research Committee since 2013 and is currently the Chair. He has also served on the Accreditation Board for nearly a decade and is currently Co-Chair. In addition, he has also been a longstanding member of the Medical Advisory Board and the Scientific Programs Committee (including as past Chair), and he has also served on the EBAA Board of Directors.

    Dr. Jeng is also involved in the leadership of many other ophthalmologic societies, as President of the Cornea Society, Immediate Past-President of the Eye and Contact Lens Association, on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Ophthalmology, and on many AAO committees. He is a current member of the American Ophthalmologic Society as well as the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology. Dr. Jeng has published over 140 peer-reviewed journal articles and 30 book chapters, and he has delivered over 400 invited lectures nationally and internationally.


    Joshua Hou, MD

    Assistant Professor/Medical Director

    University of Minnesota/Lions Gift of Sight

    Joshua Hou, MD, is an Associate Professor and the Lyon Chair of Ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences at the University of Minnesota. He received a BS in Chemistry from Duke University (Durham, NC), where he graduated summa cum laude. He received his MD from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO). He then completed an ophthalmology residency and a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary. Dr. Hou currently serves as the Cornea Fellowship Director at the University of Minnesota and maintains a busy tertiary referral practice specialized in complex corneal transplantation and severe ocular surface disease. He is currently the Medical Director of the Lions Gift of Sight Eye Bank. Dr. Hou is an active member of EBAA, serving on various committees. He currently serves as a member on the EBAA Accreditation Board and the Policy and Position Review subcommittee, and is an Associate Editor of the Eye Banking and Corneal Transplantation Journal. Dr. Hou is also the immediate past Chair of the EBAA Scientific Programs Committee. He leads an NIH funded laboratory at the University of Minnesota and his research interests include eye banking, tissue processing, and limbal stem cell deficiency.

    Chris Conwell, CEBT, CQIA (ASQ)

    Eye Bank Technical Programs Administrator

    Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank

    Chris Conwell, CEBT, CQIA (ASQ), is the Technical Programs Administrator for Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank. He began his tenure in 2011 as a per diem Tissue Recovery Technician, Chris now oversees ocular recovery training, corneal evaluation and processing training, and ocular related research & development. Chris serves as a member of the EBAA Technician Education Committee and as a faculty member of the Technician Education Seminar.

    Emmitt A. Savannah, III, CTBS

    Manager of Tissue Recovery and Research Training

    LifeGift Organ Donation Center

    Emmitt A. Savannah, III, CTBS, serves as the Manager of Tissue Recovery and Research Training at LifeGift Organ Donation Center, where he provides leadership, supervision, development and implementation of training programs for LifeGift in all its Texas regions that reinforce accepted industry practices and comply with organizational operating procedures, AATB standards, and FDA regulations. Emmitt has worked in the donation industry for over 14 years, and is passionate about leading, training, educating and developing people and teams as well as developing the programs in which they work to achieve goals efficiently.

    Adam Stockman, MBA, CEBT

    Director of Clinical Operations

    Iowa Lions Eye Bank

    Adam Stockman, MBA, CEBT, began his career with Iowa Lions Eye Bank in 2003 as a part-time recovery technician and has since served in nearly every technical and operational role within the organization. In his current role as Director of Operations, Adam oversees all clinical operations departments, including Donor Eligibility, Tissue Processing, and Recovery, as well as leading ILEB's Quality Assurance and Compliance program. With over two decades of experience in eye banking, he has a passion for strategic leadership, data-driven process improvements, and has a strong commitment to quality and safety. He has led major multi-center initiatives and contributed to national standard-setting efforts. Adam is also a respected educator and mentor, known for developing strong technical teams and training programs. He is an active contributor to the Eye Bank Association of America, currently serving as Co-Vice Chair of the Accreditation Board, a member of the Medical Advisory Board and a member of the Certification Board.

    Dana Owens, CEBT

    Director, Tissue Recovery

    Eversight

    Dana Owens, CEBT, is the Director of Tissue Recovery for Eversight. Dana began her healthcare career as an EMT and Medic in the United States Army.  Soon after, she found her calling and purpose within the world of eye banking.  Dana has been involved in eye banking as a recovery technician, recovery manager, business development, research recovery development, and distribution manager and has been the Director of Tissue Recovery since 2022.  Dana currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the EBAA Technician Education Committee. 

    Hannah Flaig, CEBT

    Laboratory Supervisor

    The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration

    Hannah Flaig, CEBT, is a Laboratory Supervisor at The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration. She began her work in eye banking in 2019 as a Laboratory Technician responsible for the recovery, screening and distribution of eye donor tissue, and was promoted to Technical Trainer prior to her current position. She has a BS in Human Biology from University of California - San Diego, with a minor in cognitive science. 

    Chelsea Green, CEBT

    Processing Services Manager

    Iowa Lions Eye Bank

    Chelsea Green, CEBT,is the Processing Services Manager for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Chelsea received both a BA and BS with a focus in research from the University of Illinois Chicago. She came to the University of Iowa in 2011 to work in medical research and worked on multiple studies before finding her way into eye banking and earning her CEBT. She currently oversees the processing department at Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Chelsea is a member of the Technician Education Committee.

    Paul Graves, CEBT, CTBS

    Senior Vice President of Clinical Services

    Advancing Sight Network

    Paul Graves, CEBT, CTBS, was born and raised in Alabama. He joined Advancing Sight Network in July of 1997 as a Transplant Coordinator. Over the years, he has been involved in all aspects of clinical eye banking, from Laboratory Manager to Director of Laboratory Services. Today, as the Senior Vice President of Clinical Services, Paul oversees the clinical processing aspects of Advancing Sight Network, from performing tissue processing itself to developing new processing procedures to assist surgeons in the care of their patients. Paul is a Certified Eye Bank Technician and a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist. Paul currently serves on the Technician Education Committee and the Continuing Education Committee, and has previously served on the Certification Board and the Research Committee.

    Shahri Jones

    Learning Management System Developer

    San Diego Eye Bank

    Shahri Jones, a native of San Diego, has been a dedicated member of the San Diego Eye Bank team for nine years. Starting her journey in eye banking in the Distribution department, she developed a passion for eye banking and donation. In her current role as the Learning Management System Developer, Shahri is instrumental in shaping the educational landscape of the organization. Drawing upon her extensive experience and innovative spirit, she creates engaging and dynamic educational content for both internal staff and external stakeholders. Through her work, Shahri strives to bridge the gap between theory and practice, empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in the field of eye banking.

    Mudassir Razvi, CEBT

    Laboratory Manager

    The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration

    Mudassir Razvi, CEBT, is currently Laboratory Manager at The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration, where he began in 2004 as a Laboratory Technician and subsequently held the positions of Technician Trainer and Technician Supervisor. He oversees technical training and tissue processing and contributes as faculty for The Eye-Bank's annual Wing Chu, MD Cornea Fellow Day.  Mudassir has served on multiple EBAA committees and is currently a member of the EBAA Technician Education Committee. He is a graduate of The College of New Jersey with a BS in Biology.

    Vanessa To

    Senior Recovery Technician

    San Diego Eye Bank

    Vanessa To is a senior recovery technician at the San Diego Eye Bank. She received a BS in Environmental Chemistry at the University of California - San Diego. She has worked at the eye bank for 4 years and initially got hired as a per diem recovery technician in December 2019. Along with recoveries, she aids in donor eligibility, tissue processing, and the creation of laboratory references and training aides. 

    Kristen McCoy, MA, CEBT, CTBS

    Vice President of Surgical Applications

    Miracles in Sight

    Kristen McCoy, MA, CEBT, CTBS, was appointed to Technical Director in 2008 when she assumed the responsibility for corporate training and is currently the Vice President of Surgical Applications for Miracles in Sight. Kristen holds a master's degree in health and humans' services administration from St. Mary's University in Minnesota, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton and is a Certified Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) and Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS). She has served on numerous Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) committees and sub-committees over the years including the Technician Education Committee and the Certification Board. Kristen also served as a faculty member of the Technician Education Seminar for eight years.

    Mark Mannis, MD

    Medical Director

    Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank

    Mark J. Mannis, MD, is the Fosse Endowed Chair in Vision Science Research, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, UC Davis Eye Center at the University of California, Davis. He also serves as Medical Director of Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank in Sacramento, California. Dr. Mannis is a recipient of the R. Townley Paton Award from EBAA and was a recipient of the Lew Wasserman Award in research from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. for his work in the development of antimicrobial peptides in ophthalmology. He has received the Moacyr Alvaro Gold Medal from the Federal University of Sao Paulo for contributions to ophthalmic education in Latin America and has received an honorary doctorate from the University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru. He was the 2014 recipient of the Castroviejo Medal for his lifetime contributions to the subspecialty of cornea and both the Claes Dohlman Award from the Cornea Society and the EnergEyes award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for his mentorship and teaching accomplishments. He conducts a busy referral practice in diseases of the cornea and external eye based at the University of California, Davis.

    Jennifer DeMatteo, MCM, CIC

    Director of Regulations and Standards

    EBAA

    Jennifer DeMatteo, MCM, CIC, is the Director of Regulations and Standards for the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). She oversees the EBAA Accreditation program, Medical Standards process and serves as their regulatory liaison. She received her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science degree in clinical microbiology from Hahnemann University (now Drexel University). She was responsible for directing the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Employee Health programs and personnel in major tertiary hospital and ambulatory care settings.  Jennifer has been a Healthcare Epidemiologist for over 20 years and is certified in Infection Control & Epidemiology (CBIC).

    Jennifer Li, MD

    Medical Director

    Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank

    Jennifer Li, MD, is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UC Davis Eye Center where she is the Director of the Cornea and External Disease Service and the Fellowship Director. Dr. Li received her medical degree and completed her residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and subsequently completed a fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at UC Davis. She is also the Co-Medical Director of Sierra Donor Services in Sacramento, California. Dr. Li is the immediate past Chair of the EBAA Board of Directors and has served on various EBAA committees including EBAA Accreditation Board, the Scientific Programs Committee and as Chair of the Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Li received the R. Townley Paton Award in 2021 for her contributions to the EBAA, sight restoration and corneal transplantation.

    Matt Arnett

    Chief Quality Officer

    Dakota Lions Sight and Health

    Matthew Arnett is the Chief Quality Officer of Dakota Lions Sight & Health (DLSH) where he has worked since 2013. Prior to joining DLSH, he worked as an analytical chemist for a FDA-regulated pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturing firm. Matthew currently serves as Chair of the EBAA Quality Assurance Committee and has also served on the Mary Jane O'Neill Fellowship in International Eye Banking Selection Committee and as a guest faculty member of the 2019-2020 Technician Education Seminar. When not at work, Matthew enjoys spending time with his family (wife & son), cheering for the Green Bay Packers as a partial (1/360,760th) owner of the team, and brewing his own beer in a custom designed brewery in his garage.

    Sean Edelstein, MD

    Associate Medical Director

    Mid-America Transplant

    Sean Edelstein, MD, is an Associate Professor at Saint Louis University Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Edelstein attended Medical School at University of Cape Town, South Africa, and completed his ophthalmology residency and fellowship in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Edelstein is the Associate Medical Director at Mid-America Transplant and is an active member in the EBAA, where he currently serves on the Accreditation Board and the Medical Review Subcommitee and has previously served on the Medical Advisory Board.

    Darrell Lee, CEBT

    Laboratory & Processing Manager

    Lions Eye Bank of West Central Ohio

    Darrell Lee, CEBT, is a Laboratory & Processing Manager for Lions Eye Bank of West Central Ohio. He has worked for the eye bank for over 13 years, initially starting off as an eye tissue recovery technician. Darrell’s has BS in Chemistry and is a CEBT. Along with being a tissue coordinator, he is responsible for the processing of corneal tissue at LEBWCO. 

    Saira Quraishy, CEBT

    Manager, Technical Operations

    Georgia Eye Bank

    Saira Quraishy, CEBT, obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Kennesaw State University and joined Georgia Eye Bank in May 2006 as a Donor Coordinator. In April 2007, Saira transitioned into a technical/laboratory position and has been a Certified Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) since 2007. After several years of dedicated service and outstanding job performance, Saira was promoted to the position of Laboratory Supervisor in April 2013 and in January 2015, Saira was promoted to Manager of Technical Operations. Saira manages donor recovery operations, laboratory operations, donor eligibility determinations, and tissue distribution activities. Saira serves on the Technician Education and the Scientific Programs Committees for the Eye Bank Association of America.

    Asim Farooq

    Assistant Professor

    University of Chicago

    Dr. Asim V. Farooq is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at the University of Chicago Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine where he was awarded a grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, allowing him to devote a year to study the pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the cornea. He then completed ophthalmology residency training at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, and a fellowship in cornea and external disease at the Washington University in St. Louis.

    George Rosenwasser, MD, CEBT

    Gift of Life Donor Program Eye Bank

    George O. D. Rosenwasser, MD, CEBT, has been associated with eye banking since 1984. He is the author of the first atlas and text on eye banking and has been a member of various EBAA committees, including Medical Advisory Board, Technician Education Committee, Scientific Programs Committee, and the International Relations Committee. He is also a member of the steering committee for the Corneal Preservation Time Study. He completely revised the Technician Education Seminar in 2009 and has given many of the lectures from 2009-2019.  He practices Cornea and External Disease in Hershey, PA, and is the Medical Director for the Gift of Life Donor Program Eye Bank.  Dr. Rosenwasser received the R. Townley Paton Award from EBAA in 2015.

    Anthony Vizzerra, CEBT

    Director of Clinical Services

    Saving Sight

    Anthony Vizzerra, CEBT, serves as Director of Clinical Services at Saving Sight. He has been in the eye banking profession for five years. Anthony earned his Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in chemistry from The University of Arizona. In his current role, Anthony oversees the daily operations of the clinical laboratory and directly supervises the lab team.  Since being with Saving Sight, he has been able to successfully change procedural protocols to help reduce processing errors, as well as reduce overall supply costs. 

    Joshua Hou, MD

    Medical Director

    Lions Gift of Sight

    Joshua Hou, MD, is an Associate Professor and the Lyon Chair of Ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences at the University of Minnesota. He received a BS in Chemistry from Duke University (Durham, NC), where he graduated summa cum laude. He received his MD from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO). He then completed an ophthalmology residency and a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary. Dr. Hou currently serves as the Cornea Fellowship Director at the University of Minnesota and maintains a busy tertiary referral practice specialized in complex corneal transplantation and severe ocular surface disease. He is currently the Medical Director of the Lions Gift of Sight Eye Bank.  Dr. Hou serves on the EBAA Accreditation Board, the Policy and Position Review Subcommittee, and is the Associate Editor of the Eye Banking and Corneal Transplantation Journal. Previously, he served as Chair of the EBAA Scientific Programs Committee. He leads an NIH funded laboratory at the University of Minnesota and his research interests include eye banking, tissue processing, and limbal stem cell deficiency.


    Fred Jordan, FSL

    Director of Development

    Miracles in Sight

    Fred Jordan, FSL, has been in eye banking since 1995 and full-time with Miracles In Sight since 2001. Fred is a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Over his many years with Miracles In Sight, Fred has fulfilled the roles of Surgical Recovery Specialist, Lab Technician, Professional Development Specialist and is now Director of Development. He currently serves on the EBAA Donor, Partner and Community Relations Committee.

    Kerry Gray

    Laboratory Technician

    Saving Sight

    Kerry Gray has worked as a Cornea Processing Technician at Saving Sight in Kansas City for 3 years. Prior to that, she was a zookeeper, working with penguins, stingrays, otters, and polar bears. This is Kerry's first year on the Technician Education Committee and she is excited to further her education and skills as a processing technician! 

    Brian Philippy, BCHE, BS, CEBT

    Director of Business Development

    Lions Gift of Sight

    Brian Philippy, BCHE, BS, CEBT, works for Lions Gift of Sight in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Brian started eye banking in 1997 at the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank (now Lions Gift of Sight), beginning as a Lab Attendant, then Procurement Technician, Distribution Coordinator, Donor Coordinator, then Lab Manager. In 2005, Brian became the Technical & Quality Assurance Director in Norfolk, then later the Director of Transplant & Research. Brian also served as a Consultant and Director at Vision Share, concurrent with time served in Norfolk. Earning CEBT in 2003, Brian began an extensive EBAA committee service history in 2006.

    Fees

    Early Bird (Before November 1) Member:  $350   Non-Member: $650

    Regular (November 1 – January 5): Member: $450    Non-Member: $750

     

    Purchase Information

    To purchase this course, individuals must log into eyeLEARN, and then select the Register button.

    EBAA Members: If you are an employee of an EBAA member eye bank, you will receive member rates to attend this course. If you work for an EBAA member eye bank but are not yet in the EBAA data base, please contact Herocia Hawkins to be added to the database and linked to your organization.

    IMPORTANT: If you should receive member pricing and don’t see that as an option, please contact Herocia Hawkins before registering.

     

    Access Information

    Once you have registered for the course, you will have access to it. The on-demand sessions will be available starting on December 15.

    To access the presentations, log into eyeLEARN, click on the Components tab, and select the recording you wish to view. Once you have watched a presentation, be sure to complete the survey associated with that presentation. To receive credit for completing the course, attendees must watch all presentations, attend all live sessions, and complete all of the surveys.  

     

    Computer Information

    Attendees should have access to a computer with a camera and functioning speaker and microphone. The live sessions are designed to include active participation by the attendees and having a computer with microphone, camera and speaker will enable attendees to fully participate in the seminar. 

     

    If you require assistance with registering or accessing the recordings, please contact Herocia Hawkins.

    • Register
      • Early bird pricing available!
      • Non-member - $650
      • Member - $350
      • Regular Price after 11/01/2025 12:00 AM
      • Non-member - $750
      • Member - $450

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    • More Information

  • Ocular Tissue Evaluation: Practical Approaches and Advanced Techniques
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 01/15/2026 at 2:00 PM (EST)

    Attend this session to strengthen your knowledge on ocular tissue evaluation!

    Corneal tissue evaluation is essential to ensuring safe, healthy, and high-quality tissue for transplant. This session provides a practical yet advanced overview of evaluation methods, beginning with the fundamentals and extending into newer imaging technologies and practices. Speakers provide eye banking and physician perspectives as they review traditional approaches such as slit lamp biomicroscopy and specular microscopy, and highlight advanced modalities including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ex vivo wide-field dual imaging. Participants will learn how these tools are applied in real-world settings to distinguish normal from diseased tissue and to navigate complex or challenging cases. Through interactive case studies, attendees will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge as they review images and determine whether or not tissue is suitable for transplant and if it should be processed.

     

    Learning Objectives:

    • Learn how to use traditional and advanced imaging methods to assess corneal tissue normal
    • Identify common and rare findings in each layer of the cornea
    • Apply knowledge to make scenario-based decisions
    • Gain insights on how to navigate challenging cases
    • Understand the eye banker and physician perspectives on tissue evaluation

     

    Attend this session to strengthen your knowledge on ocular tissue evaluation! 

    Haitham Sahawneh, MD

    Corneal Surgeon and Ophthalmologist

    Case Western Reserve/ University Hospitals

    Haitham Sahawneh, MD, is an ophthalmologist and corneal surgeon affiliated with University Hospitals in Cleveland, OH, where he joined the cornea service in 2024. He earned his medical degree from Jordan University of science and Technology in Jordan and completed his cornea fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Sahawneh specializes in corneal diseases and surgery and complex anterior segment surgeries.

    Paul Graves, CEBT, CTBS

    Senior Vice President of Clinical Services

    Advancing Sight Network

    Paul Graves, CEBT, CTBS, was born and raised in Alabama. He joined Advancing Sight Network in July of 1997 as a Transplant Coordinator. Over the years, he has been involved in all aspects of clinical eye banking, from Laboratory Manager to Director of Laboratory Services. Today, as the Senior Vice President of Clinical Services, Paul oversees the clinical processing aspects of Advancing Sight Network, from performing tissue processing itself to developing new processing procedures to assist surgeons in the care of their patients. Paul is a Certified Eye Bank Technician and a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist. Paul currently serves on the Technician Education Committee and the Continuing Education Committee, and has previously served on the Certification Board and the Research Committee.

    Monica Freiburger, CEBT

    Donor Eligibility Manager

    Iowa Lions Eye Bank

    Monica Freiburger, CEBT, has been with Iowa Lions Eye Bank since 2008, beginning her career as a Recovery Technician and advancing to her current role as Donor Eligibility Manager. Since 2018, she has actively contributed to the Eye Bank Association of America through various committees, including the Continuing Education Committee, Exam Committee, Statistical Report Committee, Technical Procedures Manual Subcommittee, and currently serves on the Policy and Position Research Subcommittee and Technical Education Committee.

    Amy Ansin

    Tissue Distribution Manager

    VisionGift

    Amy Ansin has enjoyed over ten years of sight restorative efforts in her hometown of Portland, OR. Her tenure with VisionGift has allowed for mastery of tissue evaluation and allocation, skill sets she joyfully instills amongst a cohesive distribution team at the eye bank. She loves sharing knowledge amongst her peers, while also learning and collaborating outward via EBAA educational sessions and participation in multicenter studies, the most current being DEKS and DETECT. She is grateful to have service and mission advancement at the core of daily life.

  • An Eye Bank Professional’s Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 12/03/2025 at 1:00 PM (EST)

    Attend this session to learn how to implement AI tools to increase productivity and efficiency in your everyday work!

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way people live, learn, work, and collaborate. This interactive webinar equips participants with the latest knowledge and practical skills for using AI tools at work. Participants will learn from interactive demonstrations about practical techniques for responsibly using AI technologies to enhance productivity, learning, and collaboration.  

     

    Learning Objectives

    • Explore emerging AI platforms and their use cases in the workplace.
    • Examine emerging dilemmas, risks, and opportunities related to AI use at work.
    • Explore practical tips and techniques for building AI skills.
    • Use practical techniques that enhance the value and effectiveness of AI tools.

      Attend this session to learn how to implement AI tools to increase productivity and efficiency in your everyday work! 

    Bucky Dodd, PhD

    Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant

    ClearKinetic

    Bucky Dodd, PhD is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Consultant at ClearKinetic, a boutique consultancy specializing in creating one-of-a-kind learning solutions that unify human centered design and AI innovation.

     

    As a creative designer, master facilitator, and results-driven strategist, Dr. Dodd brings a wealth of experience and expertise to developing education and training solutions that unify sound learning and business practices. He has been recognized internationally for his consulting and design expertise and has a proven record of leading innovation initiatives in associations, corporate, government, and education organizations.

    Jameson Clover, CEBT (Moderator)

    Senior Vice President of Surgical Services

    VisionGift

    Jameson has over 20 years of eye banking experience and currently leads the Processing and Distribution teams in both Portland, OR and Boston, MA. She has co-authored numerous publications related to eye banking and cornea transplantation and is a regular presenter for the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). She has served on the EBAA Statistics committee, is a past Chair of the Exam Committee and is currently on the EBAA Board of Directors. 

  • Negotiating with Hospitals and ASCs: Strategies to Protect Value and Advance Patient Care
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/20/2025 at 2:00 PM (EST)

    Attend this session to learn how to successfully negotiate on behalf of your organization!

    Navigating contracts with hospitals and Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) to secure reimbursement for ocular tissue is one of the most significant challenges facing eye banks today. In this interactive webinar, Stacey Lee, JD, an expert in healthcare negotiation, shares strategies from her forthcoming book Transforming Healthcare Through Negotiation and introduces participants to her proprietary HEAR™ Approach. Attendees will learn how to spot “red flags” in hospital and ASC contracts, strengthen reimbursement protections, and develop collaborative strategies with healthcare partners. Participants will gain practical tools designed to support sustainable reimbursement and protect the critical work of eye banks.

     

    Learning Objectives:

    • Assess opportunities for negotiation
    • Identify “red flags” in ASC/hospital contracts.
    • Apply negotiation strategies to protect sustainability and advance patient care.
    • Use checklists and templates to strengthen reimbursement protections.

     

    Attend this session to learn how to successfully negotiate on behalf of your organization!

    Stacey B. Lee, JD

    Professor of Law and Ethics

    Bloomberg School of Public Health

    Stacey B. Lee is a Professor of Law and Ethics at Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School, with a joint appointment at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. An award-winning author and nationally recognized expert in healthcare negotiations, she has trained thousands of physicians, administrators, and health leaders in applying effective negotiation strategies to improve outcomes for patients, providers, and organizations.

     

    Her groundbreaking HEAR™ (Healthcare-specific Empowerment, Acknowledgment, and Recasting) framework is transforming how healthcare professionals navigate complex and often emotional negotiations. She is the author of Transforming Healthcare Through Negotiations (Routledge, 2025) and A Practical Field Guide to Healthcare Negotiation (2025), which debuted as the #1 New Release in its Amazon category.

    Before entering academia, Stacey practiced law for over a decade as a securities litigator and later served as in-house counsel for two of the nation’s largest healthcare corporations. She also served as a senior regulatory specialist for the country’s largest healthcare trade association. Today, she continues her applied work as CEO of Praxis Pacisci, a negotiation training institute, and as a court-appointed mediator.

     

    A Fulbright Specialist and frequent media commentator (CNN, The Washington Post, CBS, NPR), Stacey is known for making complex negotiation strategies accessible and actionable. Her teaching has been recognized with multiple Johns Hopkins awards for excellence, and her work continues to help healthcare professionals advocate effectively, build consensus, and lead with impact.

    Kevin Corcoran, CAE (Moderator)

    President and CEO

    Eye Bank Association of America

    Kevin has spent the entirety of his professional career working with or for non-profit organizations. He started in membership and communications and has served as CEO of three associations, joining EBAA in 2011. He graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in marketing. Kevin believes that an association is most effective when it commits to strengthening its relationships with its members and supporting their needs. 

  • Thriving in Meaningful Work: Navigating the Unique Challenges of Ocular Tissue Recovery
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/12/2025 at 1:00 PM (EST)

    The target audience for this presentation is recovery staff, but all eye bank professionals are encouraged to attend. This session will be recorded and available on-demand as a resource for eye bank staff. Share this session with recovery staff and any individuals interested in learning how to navigate the stressors of working in eye banking. Attend this session to learn strategies to thrive while performing meaningful and impactful work.

    Eye bank recovery technicians play an integral role in the facilitation of the gift of sight, often finding themselves in situations that are both profoundly meaningful and extremely challenging. Designed for ocular recovery staff of all levels, this 90-minute seminar provides education and practical tools to manage the psychological impact of recovering ocular tissue from deceased donors, especially in difficult cases. Participants will learn to recognize signs of secondary trauma, practice evidence-based coping strategies, and build resilience for long-term well-being.

     

    Learning Objectives

    • Recognize the emotional and psychological impact of recovering corneal tissue from deceased donors.
    • Learn about secondary trauma and how to navigate the impact.
    • Identify personal triggers and case types that increase vulnerability to emotional distress.
    • Apply coping strategies to manage stress during or after challenging cases.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of resilience practices that support long-term well-being, such as peer support, self-care, and professional boundaries.
    • Understand how to support staff and prevent burnout in highly stressful positions.

     

    The target audience for this presentation is recovery staff, but all eye bank professionals are encouraged to attend. This session will be recorded and available on-demand as a resource for eye bank staff. Share this session with recovery staff and any individuals interested in learning how to navigate the stressors of working in eye banking.

     

    Attend this session to learn strategies to thrive while performing meaningful and impactful work.

     

    This session is supported by the Misko family and Saving Sight in honor of Jachin Misko. Throughout his career at Saving Sight, Jachin proved himself a leader in technical innovation. Fueled by a passion for excellence, Jachin’s work directly impacted the lives of thousands of corneal transplant recipients. EBAA honors Jachin’s legacy by providing support to EBAA members as they restore sight worldwide. Thank you to Jachin’s family and Saving Sight for sponsoring this session.

     

    CEUs: 1.5 CEUs will be available for this session. 

    Angel Jernigan

    National Board-Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor

    Angel Jernigan is a National Board-Certified Counselor and LicensedProfessional Counselor in Birmingham, Alabama, where she owns a privatecounseling practice. Additionally, she provides community education on mentalhealth and the effects of trauma. With more than 19 years of experience inhealing, enriching and supporting mental health, she has amassed a largecollection of tools and techniques and is here to share some of thosetoday.   She is a graduate of The University of Alabama(1999) and The University of Southern Mississippi (2005). Her primaryarea of training and expertise is trauma healing and resilience buildingthrough an integrative process emphasizing Eye Movement Desensitization andReprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. Since her foundational training in EMDR in 2010,Angel has become a Certified EMDR Therapist and an Approved Consultant,supporting other clinicians training in and practicing EMDR Therapy.

    Outside of work, Angel is an avid reader and gardener.  She also enjoys outdoor activities with herfamily and beloved 9-year-old Labrador, Nellie.

    Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT (Moderator)

    President & CEO

    Miracles In Sight

    Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT, began a career in ocular transplantation in 1999 at the Lone Star Lions Eye Bank in Austin, Texas.  During her 13 years there, she performed all aspects of eye banking in her role as Technical Director. Ingrid accepted a position with North Carolina Eye Bank in 2013 as the Supervisor of Recovery Services. In 2016, she earned her MBA in leadership and was promoted to the Vice President of Donor Logistics after the acquisition of ocular recovery services in South Carolina.  Ingrid was responsible for the day-to-day logistical operations of the donor recovery process, hospital development, Medical Examiner and Coroner relationships in North and South Carolina. In 2020, Ingrid led the project for the acquisition of the Lone Star Eye Bank, now Miracles In Sight, Lone Star Division. In June of 2022, Ingrid was promoted to President & CEO of Miracles In Sight. Ingrid is an active member in the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and serves as chair of the Technician Education Committee, EBAA Medical Advisory Board and Certification Board. Ingrid served in the United States Army, HHC, 2AD as the Commanding General’s Attendant. Prior to her career in eye banking, she taught high school Spanish and English.

  • DMEK 2.0: Beyond the Basics
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/06/2025 at 1:00 PM (EST)

    Attend this session to expand your knowledge about DMEK tissue preparation beyond the basics!

    As preparation techniques for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) become more advanced, the requests become more complex. This session moves past the basics of tissue preparation for DMEK as the speakers discuss cases and situations where the preparation may be more complex or require additional considerations than a typical case. 

     

    Speakers will share videos and experiences highlighting the following situations:

    • Endo-In DMEK

    • Using tissue from diabetic donors

    • DMEK with an IOL

    • Turning DSAEK tissue into a DMEK graft

    • Punching down already processed tissue

     

    Attend this session to expand your knowledge about DMEK tissue preparation beyond the basics!

    Chris Conwell, CEBT, CQIA (ASQ)

    Eye Bank Technical Programs Administrator

    Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank

    Chris Conwell, CEBT, CQIA (ASQ), is the Technical Programs Administrator for Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank. He began his tenure in 2011 as a per diem Tissue Recovery Technician, Chris now oversees ocular recovery training, corneal evaluation and processing training, and ocular related research & development. Chris serves as a member of the EBAA Technician Education Committee and as a faculty member of the Technician Education Seminar.

    Chelsea Green, CEBT

    Processing Services Manager

    Iowa Lions Eye Bank

    Chelsea Green, CEBT,is the Processing Services Manager for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Chelsea received both a BA and BS with a focus in research from the University of Illinois Chicago. She came to the University of Iowa in 2011 to work in medical research and worked on multiple studies before finding her way into eye banking and earning her CEBT. She currently oversees the processing department at Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Chelsea is a member of the Technician Education Committee.

    Nicholas Hicks, CEBT

    Director, Tissue Processing

    Eversight

    Nicholas Hicks, CEBT, serves as the Director of Tissue Processing at Eversight. Nicholas has been with Eversight since 2012. Throughout his tenure, he has prepared over 4,000 corneas for transplantation and actively contributed to numerous research studies to advance sight restoration. Nicholas is a Certified Eye Bank Technician and plays a significant role in the eye banking community, serving on the Eye Bank Association of America's Technician Education Committee and Accreditation Board. In September 2024, he participated in a transformative training session during the World Eye Bank Symposium in Jakarta, Indonesia, underscoring his commitment to global collaboration in combating corneal blindness.

     

  • EBAA Town Hall - October 2025
    Contains 1 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 10/29/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)

    Please join us on Wednesday, October 29, at 2pm ET, for the Fall Town Hall Meeting. Led by EBAA Speaker of the House, Shannon Schweitzer, this Town Hall will include recent Association updates. All EBAA members are welcome to attend.

    Please join us on Wednesday, October 29, at 2pm ET, for the Fall Town Hall Meeting. Led by EBAA Speaker of the House, Shannon Schweitzer, this Town Hall includes recent Association updates. All EBAA members are welcome to attend.

    EBAA Town Hall meetings are held throughout the year to share information with the members about the Board’s activity and to solicit member feedback and perspectives on the issues facing the profession. The meeting includes time for members to ask questions of the Board, staff and the membership; please contact Shannon by October 17 to suggest topics for discussion. 

    CEUs not awarded for this session. EBAA Members Only.

  • From Compliance to Culture: Bridging the Gap Between Operations and Quality
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 10/22/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT)

    Attend this session to learn more about establishing a culture of quality at your organization. Register today!

    Every eye bank has a quality department—but not all have a quality culture.  In this webinar, speakers explore how quality can go beyond checklists and audits to become part of your organization’s everyday mindset. Speakers look at how leadership, staff, and the quality team can all play a role in building a stronger culture of quality, focusing specifically on two key area: process improvement and communication.

     

    Attendees will learn:

    • Understand the roles of Operations and Quality Assurance in process improvement initiatives.
    • Identify key areas where misalignment between Operations and QA can lead to inefficiencies or failures.
    • Learn practical strategies for fostering effective communication and trust between cross-functional teams by exploring a real-world example of successful process improvement.
    • How to speak with maximum impact while minimizing conflict 
    • Negotiation strategies for increasing collaboration and alignment 

    Attend this session to learn more about establishing a culture of quality at your organization. Register today! 

    Kip Hoffman, CQT (ASQ) (Moderator)

    Quality Coordinator

    Iowa Lions Eye Bank

    Kip Hoffman, CQT (ASQ), is the Quality and Compliance Coordinator at Iowa Lions Eye Bank and the Chair of the EBAA Quality Assurance Committee. He cares for audits, document control, compliance, data analysis and the like, having prior experience working with quality and purchasing in the manufacturing sector. He is an ASQ Certified Quality Technician and specializes in SOP creation and Lean concept.

    Katrina Capuzzo, CEBT

    Director of Quality Assurance

    Lions World Vision Institute

    Katrina Capuzzo, CEBT, CTBS, is the Director of Quality Assurance at Lions World Vision Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Science from UCLA and has over 15 years of experience in the field of eye and tissue donation, primarily in Quality Assurance, Donor Eligibility, and Recovery. Katrina currently serves on the EBAA Quality Assurance and Exam Committees. When not at work, Katrina enjoys traveling by train with her husband and two young sons.

    Jerry Burkey, CEBT

    Quality Assurance Lead

    San Diego Eye Bank

    Jerry Burkey, CEBT, is a Certified Eye Bank Technician and the Quality Assurance Lead at the San Diego Eye Bank. Prior to working in Eye Banking, Jerry was a Fire Chaplain and Executive Director at FirefighterAid. He has 15 years of experience in eye banking across various disciplines, having worked in Recovery, Quality, Hospital Development, and Donor Eligibility. Jerry currently serves on the EBAA QA Committee and the Technical Procedures Manual Subcommittee.

  • 2025 Fall Medical Advisory Board (MAB) Live Broadcast
    Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

    If you are unable to attend the MAB in-person in Orlando, you can register to view the session virtually.

    The Fall Medical Advisory Board Meeting takes place on Thursday, October 16, at 3:30 pm Eastern, and will be broadcast live from Orlando. If you are unable to attend the MAB in-person, you can register to view the session virtually. Up to 2 CEUs may be earned for CEBTs, and Medical Directors can attend virtually to fulfill the accreditation requirement. 

    NOTE: If you are a member of MAB - this is not a way to participate virtually in the meeting and we encourage you to attend the in person meeting at the Fall Leadership Meeting. This broadcast link will contain outbound audio only.

    Registration Information

    EBAA may purchase this session for $50; non-members may purchase this session for $200. To register and access the session, click on the registration button. 

    Access Information

    Once you are registered for the webinar, the session will be available through your Dashboard or on this site. Registered attendees will receive reminder emails with information for accessing the webinar and the recording.

    CEU Information

    Attendees may earn 2 CEUs for attending this session. Once an individual has attended the session and completed the evaluation, they will be awarded with 2 CEUs. Individuals can view their CEUs on the EBAA Member Portal under Certification/CEUs.