Technical Skills Workshop

Mark C. Soper, CEBT, CTBS, began his career in eye banking at the Eye Bank of British Columbia in 1984. Mark became a Certified Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) in 1986. Mark moved to Dallas to work with UT Transplant Services Center Lions Eye Bank from 1992-1993. Mark continued his career by working at Miracles in Sight (formerly the North Carolina Eye Bank) and developed the EK program at the eye bank. Since 2008, he has worked at VisionFirst in the roles of EK operator, trainer, consultant, and now as Director of Surgical Education and Innovation. Mark expanded the EK program to include DMAEK, DMEK and PDEK. Mark has served on various EBAA committees, and is currently on the Exam Committee. Mark was the 2019 Leonard Heise Award Recipient.

Andrea Crosson, CEBT, has been at SightLife for over 16 years and has worked as a cornea recovery technician, transplant donor coordinator, medical review coordinator, and held several leadership roles throughout operations.  Over the last few years Andrea has overseen the Medical Review, Quality Assurance and Donor Operations teams, working to increase collaboration across departments and with external partners, improve efficiency and quality throughout her organization. This ultimately helps SightLife provide thousands of corneas for transplant annually in order to support their mission to serve as a global leader and partner to eliminate corneal blindness by 2040.

Kerry Hennessey has worked as a Medical Director Designee at SightLife for over 5 years and most recently was promoted to Senior Donor Eligibility and Efficiency Specialist.  In her current role Kerry is focused on ensuring our operational teams have a clear understanding of our medical criteria and works to find ways to maximize donation as well as improve efficiency without compromising quality.

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 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.

Wayne Dietz, CEBT, is the Quality Assurance Director at the San Diego Eye Bank.  Yes, when he started, Eye Banks were not performing serological testing in 1985.  After leaving the United States Navy he brought his surgical scrub skills to the technical department, becoming Technical Director in 1988.  Prior to entering the Quality Department, Wayne was the Tissue Distribution Manager.  Working with Verble Worth and Verble, he helped to establish the consent program at the Medical Examiner’s Office.  He has served on the following committees:  Technician Training, Technician Certification, Research and Quality Assurance.

Troy Win’E, CEBT, is the Sr. Director of Recovery and Partner Relation at SightLife. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Cellular Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. Troy currently serves on the EBAA Technician Education Committee as Chair. 

Ingrid Schunder, MBA, CEBT, is the Vice President of Logistics and Development and is responsible for the day to day logistical operations of both North and South Carolina. This includes the supervision and ongoing training of the Surgical Recovery Specialists who perform ocular tissue recoveries as well as the Professional Development Staff servicing the hospitals, Medical Examiners, Coroners and Funeral Homes of North and South Carolina. Ingrid served in the United States Army, HHC, 2nd Armored Division as the Commanding General’s Attendant. Prior to her career in eye banking she taught high school Spanish and English. Her degrees include MBA in Leadership, a BA in Psychology and a BS in Education. Currently, Ingrid serves on the EBAA Technician Education Committee and the Technician Education Seminar Staff