Advanced Center For Eyecare Global

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/

12/05/2025

🎓 Congratulations, Dr. Christian Vázquez! 🇲🇽

The time for a heartfelt farewell has come. We recently celebrated Dr. Jesús Christian Vázquez Sanchez’s graduation, and today officially marks the end of his Anterior Segment Fellowship with ACE Global. It has been a real privilege for us to be a part of his journey.

His graduation represents a significant milestone, confirming that Dr. Vázquez is leaving us equipped with a wealth of surgical and clinical skills.

What makes this future leader truly special?
✨ A Skillful Surgeon: He has developed immense skills over the past year.
💖 Compassionate Leadership: He consistently demonstrates kindness and compassion in his care for patients and the teams he leads.
🌟 Inspirational Mentor: He returns to Mexico planning to participate in teaching programs to train new ophthalmology colleagues.
🤝 Commitment to Community: He also hopes to practice in foundations that bring visual health to vulnerable communities.

💙 We are going to miss you, Dr. Vázquez! We hope that you’ll keep Honduras as part of you and stay involved with ACE Global by teaching future fellows. Remember, you have a supportive group and family here at ACE Global.

👇 Please join us in the comments below in wishing Dr. Vázquez the very best for his very bright future!

12/05/2025

🎓 Congratulations, Dr. Christian Vázquez! 🇲🇽

The time for a heartfelt farewell has come. We recently celebrated Dr. Jesús Christian Vázquez Sanchez's graduation, and today officially marks the end of his Anterior Segment Fellowship with ACE Global. It has been a real privilege for us to be a part of his journey.

His graduation represents a significant milestone, confirming that Dr. Vázquez is leaving us equipped with a wealth of surgical and clinical skills.

What makes this future leader truly special?
✨ A Skillful Surgeon: He has developed immense skills over the past year.
💖 Compassionate Leadership: He consistently demonstrates kindness and compassion in his care for patients and the teams he leads.
🌟 Inspirational Mentor: He returns to Mexico planning to participate in teaching programs to train new ophthalmology colleagues.
🤝 Commitment to Community: He also hopes to practice in foundations that bring visual health to vulnerable communities.

💙 We are going to miss you, Dr. Vázquez! We hope that you'll keep Honduras as part of you and stay involved with ACE Global by teaching future fellows. Remember, you have a supportive group and family here at ACE Global.

👇 Please join us in the comments below in wishing Dr. Vázquez the very best for his very bright future!

12/03/2025

Today, the world comes together forGiving Tuesday, marking the start of the giving season. For us at ACE Global, it's a day filled with thehope of restored sightand the collective joy of empowering underserved communities. Your support today can help us achieve something profound: building a sustainable, locally-led future for eye care in Honduras and beyond.

Because of generous supporters like you, our 2025 impact has been monumental:
✅ 6,000+ Hondurans received vital eye care.
🌎 2,500+ sight-restoring surgeries were performed.
🎓 4 new Honduran Fellows began their specialized training.
✈️ We executed 29 travel teaching team events (including Regional Bootcamps).

Your Giving Tuesday donation powers this essential training:
🏗️ C-STAR Development: Helping us break ground on our state-of-the-art Center for Surgical Training and Research, a regional hub for training and sight restoration!
👨‍⚕️ Specialized Fellowships: Training in critical skills like cataract surgery and advanced Oculofacial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery.
🩺 Surgical Support Staff Training: Equipping local nurses and technicians with the skills needed for high-quality, safe surgical environments.
🗺️ Regional Bootcamps: Delivering intensive, targeted training to accelerate capacity across Central and South America.

Ready to help us build a world free from preventable blindness?

🔗 Visit https://acecaresglobal.org/giving-tuesday to make your Giving Tuesday gift today! Every donation helps build the future of global eye care.

11/27/2025

It's Thanksgiving 🦃, and while many of us gather with loved ones, our hearts are focused on the true meaning of the day: gratitude 🙏.

We're not just thankful for a holiday; we're profoundly grateful for the global community that makes our mission possible. To our talented surgeons 🩺, dedicated nurses 🩹, local partners in Honduras and beyond, and every single person who volunteers their time: Thank you. Your commitment is the light ✨ that guides our work.

Even as we reflect today, we know that because of your support, someone is regaining their sight 👀, a family's hope is being restored 🏡, and preventable blindness is being pushed back.

Every contribution, every hour volunteered, every shared story truly changes a life. We are honored to have you on this journey toward a world where no one lives in darkness 🌍.

Happy Thanksgiving from the ACE Global family! ❤️

11/05/2025

Advancing Skills, Restoring Sight: MSICS Training in Honduras

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent 3-day intensive Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) Training course at Centro Medico Hospital San Benito Jose in Comayagua, Honduras!

We were honored to host visiting US Surgeon Dr. William Lim, who traveled to enhance his global ophthalmology skills by learning the MSICS technique from our local experts, including former anterior segment fellow Dr. Luis Rojas. This exchange is a powerful example of how we build capacity worldwide.

A special thank you to Dr. Lim for his commitment to continuous learning and to his son, Aaron, for volunteering alongside him. Their dedication underscores the importance of sharing knowledge to tackle preventable blindness!

🎓 Why MSICS Training Matters
While advanced procedures like phacoemulsification are common in the US, MSICS remains a crucial, low-cost, and highly effective cataract surgery technique for global health. By training with us, surgeons like Dr. Lim gain the confidence and hands-on experience needed to restore sight efficiently in underserved communities. They become integral to our mission: developing self-sustaining eye care systems.

ACE Global is proud to be approved as a Level 2 MSICS training site with SEE International and thrilled to partner with HelpMeSee to offer this advanced, empowering education.

🤝 Commit to Global Impact: Join Our 2026 Training
Ready to master this essential skill and profoundly change lives? Our expert team is ready to train you!

🗓️ Upcoming 2026 MSICS Training Dates in Honduras
‣ January 7 – 9
‣ February 11 – 13
‣ March 25 – 27
‣ April 13 – 15
‣ May 27 – 29
‣ June 3 – 6
‣ July 15 – 17
‣ August 19 – 21
‣ September 2 – 4
‣ October 21 – 23
‣ December 9 – 11

👉 Learn more about our training program and apply to train with our experts: https://acecaresglobal.org/msics-training/

10/22/2025

Last week, the spirit of global collaboration was stronger than ever in Comayagua, Honduras! 🇭🇳

Our Teaching Travel Team had an incredible mission at Hospital San Benito Jose. We believe that restoring sight goes hand-in-hand with building local expertise, and this trip was a powerful example of that in action.

Highlights of the Mission:

✨ Our talented Anterior Segment Fellow, Dr. Rivera, received invaluable mentorship from U.S. surgeon and SEE International Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Levenson, alongside the guidance of our own former fellow, Dr. De Icaza.

✨ Our Oculofacial Fellow, Dr. Echaverry, trained side-by-side with visiting Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Garcia from Mexico, gaining specialized knowledge and hands-on experience.

When we invest in training, we create a ripple effect of healing that lasts long after our team departs. A huge, heartfelt thank you to our brilliant mentors and the dedicated surgical support staff who joined this mission to provide training and essential, sight-restoring care. You are the heart of the !

Want to help us train the next generation of eye care providers in Honduras and beyond? 👇
Visit acecaresglobal.org to support our programs!

10/18/2025

Hello from Orlando! 👋

Day one of the AAO 2025 Annual Meeting is in full swing, and it’s been inspiring to connect with so many passionate eye care professionals.

We’re at Booth 2379, ready to talk about the truly life-changing work we’re doing to fight preventable blindness globally.

Stop by to chat with our team about:

🌟 Volunteer Missions: Using your skills to restore sight in underserved communities.

🏥 CSTAR in Honduras: The exciting new training and research center we’re building.

🤝 Partnerships: How we can collaborate to expand the reach of quality eye care.

The potential for change is in this room. Let’s make a difference together! We can’t wait to meet you.