Optometry
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A recent Student Optometric Service to Humanity (SOSH) mission trip to treat patients in Negril, Jamaica, really touched the heart of Amanda Martinez ‘27OD in ways she didn’t anticipate.
There she met a 77-year old man who had lost his vision due to untreated glaucoma. He couldn’t afford glaucoma drops and had been living with very high intraocular pressures. His daughter had carved a walking stick out of wood that he could use to navigate his surroundings.
During his visit, students from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Drexel University were able to provide a year’s supply of medication to help him lower his eye pressures. They also provided a real cane to help with his mobility.
“When we handed him the cane and explained the treatment plan, he began to cry and hug me,” said Martinez, president of the PCO/Drexel chapter of SOSH, who was heavily involved in the planning and execution of the trip. “His daughter was also in tears, expressing how grateful she was for the care her father received. Although I knew I couldn’t restore his lost vision, I still felt incredibly fulfilled knowing I could help him in a way he didn’t think was possible. I was able to improve his quality of life — and that, ultimately, was what I was there to do. It was humbling and something I’ll never forget.”
Martinez was one of 22 students and three PCO/Drexel faculty members, Erin Sherman OD ‘16, FAAO, Korey Patrizi, OD, Resident ‘21, FAAO, and Andrew Meagher, OD ‘15, Resident ‘16, FAAO, who traveled to Jamaica from Sept. 26 through Oct. 5, 2025, to serve those without easy access to basic eye care. The trip was sponsored by iCare Caribbean – Great Shape! Inc. While there, the PCO/Drexel students treated approximately 3,500 patients.
“Service trips are incredible opportunities for the students to see first-hand how impactful providing eye care can be,” said Dr. Sherman, who was on her first mission trip as a faculty advisor. “Truly, it was heartwarming to see how well we’ve prepared our students to be adaptable, competent, and efficient; and even more so to experience just how deeply compassionate, respectful, and supportive the students who chose our program are naturally.”
For Kirsten Tran ‘27OD, vice president of the PCO/Drexel SOSH group and president of the PCO/Drexel chapter of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), who was also involved in the coordination of the trip, the service trip provided the opportunity to learn more about herself and her capabilities.
“From enduring the hot, humid weather and running on only a few hours of sleep to managing the added responsibilities of being vice president, I discovered a new level of resilience and dedication within myself,” said Tran. “No matter how tired or overwhelmed I felt, I still showed up to clinic each day with a smile – ready to support my team and serve the people who had come to us for care.”
Tran added that the experience helped her strengthen her technical skills – particularly direct ophthalmoscopy, which she said she has rarely used at The Eye Institute (the clinical teaching facility of PCO/Drexel).
“I also learned to think critically and problem-solve during refractions, as many patients presented with pathology that required extra care and adaptability to find the best prescription,” she said. “Most importantly, the trip taught me the value of teamwork. I built strong connections with my peers and faculty from PCO, as well as the rest of the iCare team, and I believe that my ability to collaborate and form meaningful relationships will greatly contribute to my future success as an optometrist.”
Both Martinez and Tran said that from an educational standpoint, they learned so much and encountered a wide variety of interesting cases. But more importantly, they noted, they had the chance to help countless people and truly change lives.
“Before this trip, seeing complex or ‘sick’ eyes at The Eye Institute would make me nervous about how to approach the case,” said Martinez. “Now, after managing such a high volume of challenging cases in Jamaica, I feel fully equipped to handle them. I’ve developed the confidence to assess, diagnose, and manage patients who are not 20/20 without hesitation.”
Dr. Sherman said that the environment on service trips also fosters a culture of clinical triage and value-based care. Students learn that each decision requires diagnostic efficiency, therapeutic precision, resource stewardship, and preventative foresight. They are forced to balance ideal standards of care with what is realistically available to the patients.
“It cultivates clinicians who are decisive, adaptable, and deeply attuned to clinical relevance,” she said.
Dr. Sherman added that the skill and dedication of the PCO/Drexel students didn’t go unnoticed by the iCare Caribbean – Great Shape! Inc. team.
“Many times, during the trip, we had other volunteers comment on how hard-working, skilled, compassionate, and competent our students were in the clinic,” said Dr. Sherman.
