Optometric Institute and Clinic of Metropolitan Detroit

Annual Report May 30, 2008

Executive Director: Thomas Armstead

We’re Still Here!

This year, Optometric Institute and Clinic of Metropolitan Detroit (O.I.C.M.D.) will celebrate its 40th year of providing quality vision and medical eye care services to the uninsured residents of this community. We have endured all these years, because of our passion and commitment to serve this area’s most needy. We have done so with the establishment of strong partnerships with other community-based organizations that serve the uninsured. Because of the generous support of local foundations, individuals in the community that have joined our membership and donors throughout the entire state, we still stand at the forefront in the delivery of quality eye care to those most in need. Today however, our existence is truly threatened.

We are proud that since our inception we have not strayed from our mission of providing eye care services to all, regardless of their ability to pay. We consider our services to be “basic needs,” in the health care delivery system, however, United Way has determined that we not be included in their new “Agenda for Change.” After more than twenty years of United Way support, we no longer will receive “direct” United Way funding. As I understand it their new focus will be on funding projects that can create social change. We wish them well in their new mission and extend our sincere thanks for their many years of support.

Although the United Way represents a significant portion of our budget (22%), the loss is not the end of the world. Over the years we have gone through some very difficult times and have weathered the storm. We will continue to develop innovative programs, institute new fiscal control policies, step up our marketing program to attract new patients who are insured, and develop new revenue streams. We will continue to move forward during these tough economic times.

We pride ourselves in the fact that no one is turned away from OICMD. Over the years our agency has become the primary source for vision and eye care for the uninsured, the under insured and the disenfranchised in our community. With dwindling resources and an increase in demand for services, O.I.C. served some 3,700 patients this year of which over 85% were uninsured. In addition, we provided over $500,000 of laser surgery through our vision-saving Cabrini Diabetic Program with collaboration from Kresge Eye Institute and members of our Coalition for the Uninsured.

In the past seven months we received two $20,000 grants totaling $40,000 from the Metro Health Services and the Metro Health Foundation. This is in addition to funding from United Way for Southeastern Michigan. OIC will be receiving transition funding from United Way equaling fifty percent of our previous $79,680 annual funding. This funding will be in effect for the next eighteen months beginning in July 2008. OIC is one of twenty-six United Way agencies whose funding was discontinued. We are still considered a United Way affiliated agency in good standing and can still receive donations that are pledged to United Way if the donation is “designated” for Optometric Institute.

In all of our most recent funding endeavors we have stressed that the fifteen member agencies of the Coalition for the Uninsured utilize OIC for their patients or client’s vision needs and medical eye problems. The Coalition for the Uninsured network is increasing each month as other social service agencies or medical clinics serving the uninsured discover OIC. Funding agencies believe in our mission and incidentally, are interested in sustained funding of OICD. It is no longer a secret that Optometric Institute and Clinic of Detroit is available when someone is in need. It is no longer a secret that our Low Vision Department provides quality low vision services. It is no longer a secret that our Computer Training Department may be the best and provide the most innovative computer training in the state.

I have served as the Director of Programs for Focus Hope, a Metropolitan Detroit based civil and human rights organization for the past 34 years. This past November, I was privileged to be appointed as the new executive director of Optometric Institute and Clinic of Metropolitan Detroit following the retirement of Dr. Bernard Miller from that position. Dr. Miller had been the executive director of Optometric Institute for the past fourteen years and had been serving a dual role as the Executive Director and Chief Optometrist for O.I.C.D. I am hopeful that Dr. Miller will remain on staff as the Director of Clinical Affairs for years to come. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Dr. Miller for his years of dedicated service in this dual capacity.

Having spent the past seven months as your executive director and working hand-in-hand with Dr. Bernard Miller, I am absolutely certain that together, with your support and with optometry’s support and with increased community support, we will continue to move Optometric Institute forward.

THOMAS ARMSTEAD
Executive Director

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