Advanced Center For Eyecare Global

05/09/2026

Sight. Connection. And a whole lot of heart in Honduras. 🇭🇳

This week at San Benito Jose in Comayagua was... honestly? It was a whirlwind.

We just wrapped up our Cornea and Cataracts teaching mission, and the energy was electric. Imagine three operating rooms humming at once. Imagine the focus, the sweat, and the sheer joy of seeing someone realize they’ll be able to see their family’s faces again. 👁️✨

It’s powerful stuff! But this wasn't just about the surgeries. It was about the people passing the torch.
🫶 Huge love to our visiting surgeons, Drs. Lorrick Andersen, Kaihan Fakhar, Miles Greenwald, and Aaron Noll. They didn't just show up; they poured their expertise into everyone around them.

And we were thrilled to have UIC residents Dr. Jeffrey Peterson and Nayanika Challa, and Greenwald Fellow Dr. Jackson Voss, in the mix, too. They weren't just observing. They were exchanging ideas, learning the grit of global eye care, and seeing firsthand why this work matters so much.

Three local fellows worked side-by-side with the team, which is the best part. Because when we leave, that knowledge stays. The care continues!

We’re growing. We’re learning. And because of people like you, we’re helping our neighbors in Honduras see a future that’s a lot clearer.

Thank you for being part of this. 💙

05/07/2026

Congratulations, Dr. Luis Rivera Peralta! 🎓🎉

Yesterday in Comayagua, we gathered to celebrate a truly special milestone: the graduation of our 2025/2026 Anterior Segment Fellow, Dr. Luis Rivera Peralta.

Luis, watching your journey this past year has been nothing short of inspiring. You joined the ACE Global Fellowship with a deep desire to learn, and you leave us as a confident, competent, and truly excellent surgeon.

Beyond the operating room, we’ve seen you blossom into a natural leader. Whether you were navigating difficult cases with poise or mentoring new fellows during recent brigades, your dedication to your craft and your colleagues has been admirable.

What’s next for Luis? He is headed to Hospital San Felipe, where he’ll continue his mission to provide world-class eye care. Even as he graduates, Luis is already dreaming up "big ideas" to expand medical education and give back to the program by teaching the next generation of fellows. This heart for service is exactly why we do what we do.

Luis, your warm personality puts everyone at ease, and your ability to see the "big picture" will serve the people of Honduras well for years to come.

While you’re moving on to a new chapter, remember that you’ll always have an ACE Global family standing behind you. We can't wait to see your career unfold and to catch up at future meetings and visits.

Please join us in the comments by sharing a message of congratulations for Dr. Rivera! 🥂✨

03/31/2026

Behind every restored sight through ACE Global is a doctor who chose to look beyond their own clinic and toward a world in need.

Today is National Doctors’ Day, and we are pausing to celebrate the incredible surgeons, mentors, and fellows who make our mission possible. These aren't just medical professionals; they’re educators, pioneers, and often, the first line of hope for someone who has lived in darkness for years.

To our many amazing Volunteer Surgeons and Mentors: Thank you for donating your time and your world-class expertise. You don’t just perform surgeries; you build the foundation for sustainable eye care by sharing your skills with the next generation.

To our dedicated and talented ACE Global Fellows: Your passion for learning and serving underserved communities is inspiring. You are the future of global eye health, and watching your growth, from the first screening to the final follow-up, is a privilege.

When a grandmother sees her grandchildren for the first time in a decade, or a young father returns to work because his vision is restored, it’s because a doctor said "yes" to this mission.

Join us in the comments by sharing a note of thanks for the doctors who give the gift of sight! 👁️✨

Learn more about our team and how you can support their work at acecaresglobal.org.

03/06/2026

What if we could end treatable blindness for good? 🌎

ACE Global's president and co-founder, Dr. Kevin Barber, recently had the opportunity to share his "Big Bet" for the future of global eye care with the Rockefeller Foundation. It’s a bold vision: moving beyond short-term missions to build self-sustaining surgical ecosystems.

Dr. Barber spoke about the critical need to scale eye care in underserved regions. In many of the communities we serve, a 15-minute cataract surgery is the difference between a life of isolation and a life of opportunity. By focusing on sustainable training and local empowerment, we aren't just performing surgeries, we're creating long-term, systemic change.

We are so excited to see ACE Global's mission gaining momentum. Watch the video to hear more about how we’re changing the landscape of global eye care, and how you’re a part of this journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3m6rux33j0

Dr. Kevin Barber is betting that scalable, technology‑enabled training systems can produce high‑quality eye care providers anywhere in the world, dramaticall...

02/18/2026

Another amazing teaching travel team mission to St. Benedict Joseph Medical Center - Franciscan Mission Outreach, Inc in Comayagua, Honduras. 🇭🇳
Thank you 🙏 for having us!

02/16/2026

Big milestones deserve big celebrations! 🎓✨

Last week, during our teaching travel team visit, we had the distinct honor of celebrating the graduation of our second Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellow, Dr. Eliseo José Echaverry Rodríguez.

Over the past year, Eliseo has jumped into rigorous training with incredible dedication. Under the mentorship of both local and visiting surgeons, he hasn’t just refined his surgical skills; he has helped restore functionality and hope for hundreds of patients.

We’re thrilled to share that Dr. Echaverry will remain with us as an attending physician through June, helping to bridge the gap until our next fellow begins. He’s also committed to returning as a mentor, passing his expertise on to the next generation of fellows and exemplifying the "train-the-trainer" model that is vital to our mission.

🙏 Thank you to our partners at the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and the many dedicated local and visiting surgeons who donate their time and knowledge to help make this program possible.

Congratulations, Eliseo! We’re so proud of the surgeon and leader you’ve become.

Leave a note of congratulations for Dr. Echaverry in the comments! 👇

01/06/2026

In just a few weeks, two incredible surgeons will officially join the ACE Global family! Please help us welcome our newest Anterior Segment Fellows, Dr. Zaira Mariella Portillo Lopez and Dr. Sara Stefany Dávila Ávila. 🩺✨

These talented doctors are beginning a transformative year-long journey focused on clinical excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities across Central America.

🇭🇳 Meet Dr. Zaira Mariella Portillo Lopez: Originally from Honduras, Dr. Portillo Lopez completed her residency in Guatemala and is now dedicated to giving back to her home country. She is particularly focused on reaching rural areas where specialized eye care is often impossible to find. Zaira is eager to master complex cataract surgeries and eventually mentor the next generation of Honduran ophthalmologists.
"I believe that by strengthening my skills, I will be better equipped to serve my community and support the training of other young surgeons in the future."

🇪🇨 Meet Dr. Sara Stefany Dávila Ávila: Hailing from Ecuador, Dr. Dávila Ávila joins us following her residency in Mexico. Sara is passionate about combining technical innovation with human sensitivity. Her goal is to bring cutting-edge surgical techniques for cataracts and corneal pathologies back to Ecuador, ensuring that her patients receive world-class care regardless of their resources.
"I aspire to be a change agent... implementing innovative and personalized techniques that increase surgical success rates and improve visual outcomes for my patients."

🏥 Over the next twelve months, both doctors will be on the front lines of our mission. Their fellowship includes:
👁️ Advanced surgical training focused on the anterior segment.
📚 Leading presentations at national and regional medical conferences.
🏥 Developing hospital protocols and emergency care standards.
🤝 Engaging in community health outreach and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What truly sets Zaira and Sara apart is their heart for sustainable care. They aren’t just here to perform surgeries; they are training to be global leaders who will transform the future of eye health in their home countries and beyond.

💙 Están a punto de comenzar a cambiar las vidas de muchas familias.

Please join us in the comments to give Dr. Portillo Lopez and Dr. Dávila Ávila a warm welcome! ⬇️

01/01/2026

🎆Happy New Year to all of our friends and supporters around the world!

As we reflect on an incredible year filled with numerous special milestones, we recall that beyond the statistics of surgeries performed and healthcare allies trained, these moments underscore the power of partnership and the dedication of our passionate global team.

Our mission is deeply rooted in collaboration. We believe that sustainable change in global eye health only happens when we work together; donors, medical professionals, and local community leaders alike.

As we step into 2026, here's to a new year of special moments with old and new friends and allies in the fight against preventable blindness. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and look forward to the "big things" we will achieve together in the coming months. Happy New Year!

ℹ️ Visit acecaresglobal.org to see how you can partner with us in 2026.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from the ACE Global team! 🎄

While today is a time for celebration and gathering with loved ones, we are also reflecting on the greatest gift of all: the gift of sight. For many of the families we serve, this year brought a miracle they never thought possible.

Because of your support, grandmothers saw their grandchildren’s faces for the first time. Parents returned to work to provide for their families. Children, once sidelined by vision loss, are now looking forward to a bright future in the classroom.

The joy of seeing a patient take off their patch and smile at their family for the first time in a long time, that is the heart of what we do.

As you celebrate today, please know that your generosity has been the light in someone’s darkness. We’re so grateful to have you in our global community.

Wishing you and yours a day filled with clarity, warmth, and hope.

12/24/2025

🏆 We are deeply humbled to be named a recipient of the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Award by SEE International.

Receiving this recognition is a powerful reminder that no organization can solve the global vision crisis alone. It takes a dedicated network of partners, volunteers, and supporters working in sync to ensure that quality eye care reaches those who need it most, whether they’re in our own backyard or in a remote village halfway across the world.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to SEE International for their incredible leadership and for this kind honor. More importantly, we want to celebrate the other individuals and organizations recognized this year. We’re inspired by your dedication and proud to stand alongside you in the fight against preventable blindness.

This award doesn't just belong to ACE Global; it belongs to the local healthcare providers we train, the donors and partners who make our missions possible, and the patients who trust us with their sight.

When we collaborate, we don’t just treat eyes; we restore independence and hope. We’re more committed than ever to continuing this work together.

Read more about this year's honorees here: https://www.seeintl.org/blog/2025-humanitarian-of-the-year-awards/

12/18/2025

We have something special to share! Our Executive Director, Carolyn Newman, was recently featured by Know the Glow, highlighting the vital role of partnership in global eye care.

Way to go, Carolyn! We are so proud of the work you do to build the relationships that fuel our mission.

The work we do in global ophthalmology is deeply rewarding, but it’s the power of collaboration that truly drives us forward. By partnering with organizations that share our values, we can reduce unnecessary expenses and duplication of services. This allows us to maximize our impact in underserved communities, ensuring that our work is as effective and thoughtful as possible.

We are especially excited to welcome Know the Glow as one of our newest partners. Their commitment and energy strengthen our reach and our effectiveness in the field. Together, we’re proving that global ophthalmology is a powerful force for sustainable change.

Read the full article below!

When Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow, and Helene Dameris, Director of Global Outreach, met with Carolyn Newman, they were deeply moved by the story of ACE Global.

Carolyn, the organization’s Executive Director, has devoted more than 40 years to nonprofit work, and her passion for creating sustainable eye care in Honduras left a lasting impression on both Megan and Helene.

What astonished them most was how Carolyn and her team have transformed short-term mission work into a sustainable system that trains, equips, and empowers local doctors to serve their own communities.

Read more at: https://knowtheglow.org/introducing-carolyn-newman/