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901-569-3939
5350 Poplar Avenue
Suite 925
Memphis, TN 38119
5350 Poplar Avenue
Suite 925
Memphis, TN 38119
Dr. Cathy Schanzer, Chairman (and Medical Director)
As an ophthalmologist/surgeon, my medical mission efforts have
included work in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Sierra Leone. From 1988 until 2005, Tom and I worked
with existing programs in these various countries. We began working in Sierra Leone in 2000, just as a tragic
ten-year civil war was ending. In 2006 we helped to establish Southern Eye Clinic in Serabu as part of a joint
effort with Catholic Mission. Serabu is located in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, approximately 150
miles southeast of the capital city, Freetown. I attended the University of Texas School of Medicine in Houston,
Texas and completed my ophthalmology training at Baylor College of Medicine, also in Houston. We raised our
seven adopted children in Memphis, and now also, have ten grandchildren. I am also the Medical Director of
Southern Eye Associates, a medical/surgical eye care practice in Memphis.
Rev. Joe Geary, Vice President
Rev. Joe Geary is the Pastor of First United Methodist Church located in Paris Tennessee. In
addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Rev. Geary has been leading volunteer missions to Africa since 1995.
His mission work for the last six years has been in Sierra Leone. He is very familiar with our work in Sierra
Leone and is a strong supporter of our efforts.
Sam Pieh , Member at Large
Sam Pieh is the Executive Director of the Christian Hospital Association of Sierra Leone. A native of Sierra
Leone, Mr. Pieh has dual citizenship with the United States. He is a former member of Rev. Joe Geary’s church
community and has co-led numerous mission trips to Africa for the
Methodist Church. It was Mr. Pieh’s influence that first led us to Sierra Leone.
Tom Lewis, Executive Director
Tom Lewis received an undergraduate degree from Rice University and a Masters Degree in Health Care
Administration from Trinity University. For twenty years he was a senior health care
executive for various companies, including President and CEO of Omega Health Systems, Inc., a
public health care company. Tom left the business world in 2000 and began working full-time in support of the
Southern Eye missionary efforts. Tom has accompanied Cathy on every mission trip since 1988, overseen the
day-to-day operations of Southern Eye Clinic of Serabu and coordinated all development activities of Southern
Eye Institute.
As an ophthalmologist/surgeon, my medical mission efforts have
included work in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Sierra Leone. From 1988 until 2005, Tom and I worked
with existing programs in these various countries. We began working in Sierra Leone in 2000, just as a tragic
ten-year civil war was ending. In 2006 we helped to establish Southern Eye Clinic in Serabu as part of a joint
effort with Catholic Mission. Serabu is located in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, approximately 150
miles southeast of the capital city, Freetown. I attended the University of Texas School of Medicine in Houston,
Texas and completed my ophthalmology training at Baylor College of Medicine, also in Houston. We raised our
seven adopted children in Memphis, and now also, have ten grandchildren. I am also the Medical Director of
Southern Eye Associates, a medical/surgical eye care practice in Memphis.
Rev. Joe Geary, Vice President
Rev. Joe Geary is the Pastor of First United Methodist Church located in Paris Tennessee. In
addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Rev. Geary has been leading volunteer missions to Africa since 1995.
His mission work for the last six years has been in Sierra Leone. He is very familiar with our work in Sierra
Leone and is a strong supporter of our efforts.
Sam Pieh , Member at Large
Sam Pieh is the Executive Director of the Christian Hospital Association of Sierra Leone. A native of Sierra
Leone, Mr. Pieh has dual citizenship with the United States. He is a former member of Rev. Joe Geary’s church
community and has co-led numerous mission trips to Africa for the
Methodist Church. It was Mr. Pieh’s influence that first led us to Sierra Leone.
Tom Lewis, Executive Director
Tom Lewis received an undergraduate degree from Rice University and a Masters Degree in Health Care
Administration from Trinity University. For twenty years he was a senior health care
executive for various companies, including President and CEO of Omega Health Systems, Inc., a
public health care company. Tom left the business world in 2000 and began working full-time in support of the
Southern Eye missionary efforts. Tom has accompanied Cathy on every mission trip since 1988, overseen the
day-to-day operations of Southern Eye Clinic of Serabu and coordinated all development activities of Southern
Eye Institute.
Directors and Officers
Copyright 2012 Southern Eye Institute Directors & Company Information
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Dr. Cathy Schanzer
Medical Director for
Southern Eye Clinic of Serabu
Medical Director for
Southern Eye Clinic of Serabu