Congratulations to Dawn DeCarlo, OD, PhD, director of the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation and professor in the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, for being named the recipient of the Sight Savers America (SSA) 2022 Hall W. Thompson Hero for Sight Award.
“Dr. DeCarlo has partnered with Sight Savers America for 17 years to provide low vision evaluations and high-tech vision aids for Alabama children, and more recently adults,” said Jeff Haddox, president and CEO/founder of Sight Savers America. “This collaboration has provided these life changing devices to virtually all Alabama children with low vision and we maintain this success each year as new children enter the program. She has had a profound impact on Alabamians with severe visual impairment, and it is an inspiration and honor to work with Dr. DeCarlo.”
DeCarlo, who was honored at the annual Sight Savers America Hero for Sight event on Wednesday, has been a member of the UAB Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Director of the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation since 2005. She is a Diplomate of the Low Vision Section of the American Academy of Optometry, and her current research is funded by the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research and focuses on reading and pediatric vision impairment.
During her acceptance speech, DeCarlo said, “In a video many years ago, I said ‘If I didn’t have Sight Savers around to refer these children to, I think I would have a heart-wrenching career. It would be so hard to know that there were things that could help these children compete with their fully sighted peers and succeed, but I couldn’t give them. How do you see patients every day if you can’t do that?’ I can tell you that it still rings true today. I am truly honored to be this year’s Hero for Sight, joining the ranks of Songs for Sight, Hartwell Davis, Monday Morning Quarterback Club, Doyce Williams, Edwina Taylor, Kathy Weise, Torrey DeKeyser, and Bill Burrus, who have done so much for children in Alabama.
“I have not earned this award alone, but through teamwork. I am exceptionally proud of our team and am grateful to the many people and organizations who have supported the Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation.”