“Your eyes are everything.”
That simple truth guides everything Mary does. Nearly four years ago, she and her husband relocated from New York State to be closer to family, and she joined PBNC as a data assistant. Her role has since grown to include scheduling for all of the adult vision screenings, serving as the liaison to the doctors who read patient images, issuing vouchers, assisting the certification team, and screening in the field at clinics and health fairs.
Outside of work, Mary spent 15+ years producing community musical theater — a hobby that started as carpool duty for her daughter and turned into a full-blown passion. “Before I knew it, I was a producer!” she laughed.
Why she does this work: Mary was born with crossed eyes, had surgery at six, and has lived with vision issues, and glasses, most of her life, including a follow-up surgery decades later. “I know what it’s like not to be able to see,” she said. “Any day we can help a person improve their vision is a win-win for PBNC and for them.”
A story that stuck with her: At the NC State Fair last year, a father getting his annual retinal screening told Mary about the year before, when a PBNC screener noticed something off with his young son’s eye. An acuity test led to glasses — and a transformation. “His schoolwork improved vastly,” the father said. “He was like a new kid.”
What she wants the community to know: Vision screening isn’t just for seniors or diabetics. “Vision problems happen at any age,” Mary said. Young adults often assume they’re fine, until a five-minute screening catches something they never knew was there. “It’s such a great preventative tool.”
Her guiding philosophy: “I approach my work by working hard for the good of others every day,” Mary said, citing a favorite Einstein quote: “Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value.”
What’s most rewarding: “I love being able to go out to the clinics and meet the people we serve,” she said. “It’s also great to put faces to names of the staff I email daily. When you put that human aspect into it, it makes you want to help even more.”
A note from the team: Mary is the heart of our program. As the main point of contact for both the Community Vision Program and the voucher program, her hard work shows in how people respond to her and connect with her, and it’s a big reason we’re able to reach and serve so many in our community.
