2007 Annual Report - Greater Worcester Community Foundation

Alice Sibley Fund
Transforming lives through the gift of sight
Until recently, uninsured Worcester residents with
glaucoma or cataracts had to live with vision loss.
But in 2007, more than 80 people without health
insurance regained their eyesight at Great Brook Valley
Health Center, thanks to Alice C.A. Sibley.
Alice Sibley died in 1968 at the age of 92, seven years
after the death of her husband, J. Otis Sibley, a prominent
lawyer. Alice took neither her eyesight nor her family’s
good fortune for granted during her long life. She
herself had retina surgery and she funded a neighbor’s
eye operation.
In her will, Alice created a charitable trust to provide
medical eye care to Worcester residents who cannot pay
for such treatment. In 2004, after the death of her son
and sole heir, her bequest created an endowed fund that
will fulfill her wishes in perpetuity.
A 2007 grant of $25,849 from the Alice C.A. Sibley Fund
enabled the Health Center to treat all of its patients in
need of eye surgery. The grant funded pre-and-post
operative support associated with 53 cataract surgeries at
Tufts Medical Center in Boston and Worcester Medical
Center as well as 30 on-site laser surgeries for glaucoma.
“State and federal programs reimburse our
ophthalmologist’s services to low-income clients,” says
Toni McGuire, president and CEO of the Health Center,
whose patients often lack health insurance and speak a
language other than English. “The grant funded the staff
who guide patients through treatment such as medical
interpreters and case workers.”
Alice Sibley, here with her husband and son, continues to transform
the lives of others.
Grateful clients include Jose Farfan, 44, who lost his job
when untreated diabetes led to vision loss. After surgery,
he saw the faces of his caregivers for the first time and
soon regained employment.
“Cataracts blur vision and, if neglected, lead to
blindness,” says Jean Keamy M.D., the Health Center’s
ophthalmologist. “Our patients are restoring their
independence along with their eyesight.”
O
ur patients are restoring their independence
along with their eyesight.
Jean Keamy, M.D.
On left: Dr. Jean Keamy brings ophthalmology services to Great Brook
Valley Health Center, where many patients lack health insurance.
Greater Worcester Community Foundation • 07 ANNUAL REPORT
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