Jeffery L. Haddox
Founder, Sight Savers America
Jeffery L. Haddox was born in Panama City, Florida in 1953 and married Marjorie Castleberry in 1974 in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1975, Jeff graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry and then attended Clemson University for his masters in mycology. In 1978, he began a 25-year career in the vision sciences at the UAB Department of Ophthalmology in the Eye Foundation Hospital (now the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital). From 1982-1999, Jeff served as Director of Brookwood Eye Research Laboratories. During this time, he authored 41 published articles in scientific journals and received five United States and international patents on drugs designed to prevent ocular inflammation.
In 1997, Jeff founded Sight Savers of Alabama (now Sight Savers America, SSA) with the goal that every child achieve their best possible vision. He continued his career as a vision scientist until 2003, while simultaneously working to build a foundation for SSA. Jeff was the President & CEO of Sight Savers America until October, 2023. His extensive background, experience and connections as an eye research scientist were instrumental in establishing Sight Savers America as the preeminent children’s case managed follow-up eye care organization in the United States.
Jeff has been recognized by many prestigious state and national organizations for his leadership and the impact of SSA. Among others, he received the Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation’s 2010 Robert G. Sherrill, Jr. M.D. Quality Award as a senior Alabama health care leader and champion of quality, the American Optometric Association’s 2012 Distinguished Service Award for contributions to the advancement of vision rehabilitation care, the inaugural EyeSight Foundation of Alabama’s Visionary Award for serving the eye care needs of children and the Johnson & Johnson Community Health Care Crystal Award for innovative solutions to children’s health care challenges.
Jeff was Co-Founder of the Black Belt Eye Care Consortium and served as a Technical Advisor to Governor Bob Riley’s Black Belt Action Commission. He also served on the Health Advisory Council of the Alabama Rural Action Commission.
Through Jeff’s leadership, Sight Savers America has become a national model and is now the standard of children’s case managed follow-up eye care. SSA has grown to serve approximately 100,000 children annually in 16 states, including approximately 55,000 in Alabama.
In October of 2023, Jeff transitioned out of his role as President & CEO of Sight Savers America and continued as a part-time special projects leader and advisor to the new CEO, Dr. Dawn DeCarlo. As of December 31st, 2024, he will fully retire leaving a legacy defined by perseverance, focused leadership, and a deep commitment to serving others.
Artist: Ricky Trione
Ricky Trione is a Fairhope, Alabama artist who enjoyed creating realistic pen & ink drawings for years. As a sighted artist, he never used color, only black and white.
He had two accidents that took away his vision, one eye at a time, in a 7-year period. His left eye was permanently damaged, while serving as a Captain in the Army in 1993, when a rock was slung though the open window of his vehicle. Seven years later, a large strip of tire tread flew from a passing truck and struck him in his other eye, causing permanent blindness.
Ricky could no longer drive a car or enjoy doing pen and ink art. He eventually learned to create art by using textures so that he could feel his way across a canvas. He works in a 3D style that includes thick texture paints and molding compounds. His greatest joy is getting to visit children of all ages in schools, art camps and special events. Ricky offers children hope and inspiration, while teaching them special art lessons, demonstrating that you can enjoy being creative and artistic, no matter what obstacles come your way.