Jonas Philanthropies Partners with Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation to Support Veteran Vision Health
(New York, NY) June 22, 2020 — Jonas Philanthropies is proud to announce its partnership with Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, (VAMC) to support clinical initiatives to improve the health and welfare of their veteran population. A $50,000 grant will launch two projects dedicated to improving vision health for veterans. Funds for the grant are supported jointly by the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation and Jonas Philanthropies for 2020-2021.
The first project funded by this grant aims to streamline and expand vision care provided by James J. Peters VA Medical Center to veteran patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Through a redesign of the process of referral and screening, this program will increase access to, and timeliness of identification and treatment of retina issues that negatively impact vision.
The second project, a research study, examines and assesses the impact of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on the retinas of veterans. While an MRI is reliable in identifying and diagnosing major to moderate TBI, it often fails at uncovering mild cases. This study uses retinal eye exams to build knowledge on the impact of TBI on veterans’ retinas with hopes of improving early detection and treatment.
Interprofessional collaboration is the foundation of both projects with Nursing and Ophthalmology joining forces to improve veterans’ vision. James’ J. Peters Community of Nursing Scholars, a group of doctorally prepared nurses and nursing doctoral students led by Kathleen Capitulo PhD, RN, the medical center’s Chief Nurse Executive, and Lynda Olender PhD, RN, Nurse Researcher, has partnered with Paul Lee MD, Chief of Ophthalmology and staff, to lead the projects. Results of the work will be disseminated in interprofessional conferences co-sponsored by the James J. Peters VAMC and Jonas Philanthropies.
“Vision health is a major priority for the veteran community in the Bronx,” said Dr. Paul Lee. “Partnering with Jonas Philanthropies allows our organization to launch impactful new programs that address these concerns and improve the health of veterans through interprofessional collaboration. Jonas Philanthropies shares our vision of addressing the unique health needs of veterans and we look forward to making a difference together.”
“The Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation has done an incredible job modeling interprofessional collaboration, showcasing the value doctoral nurses bring to system redesign, and caring for the country’s underserved veteran population,” said Dr. Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, Interim Executive Director of Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare.
“It is an honor to collaborate with The Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation on this shared mission to reach vulnerable communities with health solutions. Through the new vision projects in the Bronx, we at Jonas Philanthropies and Jonas Nursing and Veteran’s Healthcare, hope to provide veterans with quality access to the healthcare they deserve.” said John Jonas, Founder and CEO of the Jonas Group.
Jonas Nursing and Veteran’s Healthcare is the signature program of Jonas Philanthropies, dedicated to the support of high-potential nurse scholars and veterans across all 50 states.
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About the Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation
The mission of the Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation (BVMRF) is to facilitate research and education activities conducted at the James J Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC). We have a broad range of research activities that encompasses biomedical, health services, rehabilitation engineering, mental health and geriatric research endeavors. We also support various educational initiatives and other learning experiences of benefit to employees and veterans.
About Jonas Philanthropies
Jonas Philanthropies is transforming healthcare for the better by investing where it matters most, in solutions that can be scaled for the greatest impact. Its programs address high-need issues and audiences with high-impact solutions: promoting leadership in nursing and veterans healthcare, preventing and treating low vision and blindness, and protecting our children’s environmental health. For more information about Jonas Philanthropies, visit jonasphilanthropies.org, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.
About Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare
Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare (JNVH) is the signature program of Jonas Philanthropies. In partnership with schools across the country, Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare identifies and invests in high-potential doctoral nursing Scholars who will address our nation’s most pressing healthcare needs. These nurses will go on to fill leadership roles as faculty, clinical leaders and researchers. For more information about JNVH, visit jonasphilanthropies.org, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.
Contacts:
Jonas Philanthropies
Sharp Think, Inc.: 212.829.0002
Lauren Cody, ext.155; Lauren.Cody@sharpthink.com