Thriving in Meaningful Work: Navigating the Unique Challenges of Ocular Tissue Recovery

Includes a Live Web Event on 11/12/2025 at 1:00 PM (EST)

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.