Eye Bank Association of America

08/27/2026

Summer is coming to a close, and we're looking ahead to !

Promotional materials and resources are available now on EyeDonationMonth.org.

Be sure to watch the brief explanatory presentation for an overview of this year's, "It Only Takes a Minute" campaign.

You can expect a LOT more video options, with a one-minute main video available both horizontally and vertically, along with FOUR 15-second options that are ideal for social media sharing.

Check out EyeDonationMonth.org for everything you need for this November!

08/25/2026

As a reminder, nominations for the 2027 Leonard Heise Award are due this Friday, August 28.

The Heise Award, EBAA’s highest honor, is presented at our Annual Meeting to recognize an eye banker for his/her outstanding contributions to the association and the profession.

To submit a nomination, or for more information and criteria, see our website.

https://restoresight.org/members/awards/leonard-heise-award/leonard-heise-award-nomination-form/

08/24/2026

The call for presentation proposals for the 2027 EBAA Annual Meeting are open!

This year's meeting is being completely reimagined so that attendees have the most fulfilling experience possible with active engagement, opportunities to connect with colleagues, and ideas you can put into place at your organization.

Proposals should focus on 30, 45, or 60 minute presentations including audience participation and takeaways. Submit to be a presenter or suggest a topic or session leader.

Submissions are due Friday, October 16.

For more information or to make a submission, see our website:

https://restoresight.org/ebaa-annual-meeting/presentationproposals/

08/18/2026

Give the gift of sight and life; register as a donor at RegisterMe.org

08/17/2026

*NEW* Webinar Alert!

Join us on Thursday, October 22nd for this virtual session covering how Computer Software Assurance (CSA) is changing the way regulated organizations approach software validation.

Led by Luiggi Colan of ZenQMS, you'll learn how to replace excessive documentation with a streamlined, risk-based approach that keeps compliance front and center while cutting out unnecessary effort.

For more information and to register, go to EyeLearn:

https://eyelearn.restoresight.org/products/how-to-streamline-eqms-validation-without-sacrificing-compliance -product_tab_overview

08/13/2026

EBAA and the Global Alliance of Eye Banks (GAEBA) are pleased to present an exploration of the World Health Organization’s Provisional Global Strategy on Donation and Transplantation.

WHO’s Global Strategy on Donation and Transplantation was recently released for public review and comment; this prerecorded webinar explores the vision, objectives, and strategic direction of the provisional strategy, and how it aims to guide global access to treatment, reduce disparities, and address transparency through vigilance and surveillance. It also reviews how you may help shape this preliminary version by submitting your feedback (deadline August 31, 2026), before its final adoption at the 80th World Health Assembly in 2027.

This is "WHO Webinar Recording" by Eye Bank Association America on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

08/06/2026

August is National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM), a collaborative effort to save lives and improve the quality of life for diverse communities by fostering a positive culture around organ, eye and tissue donation.
Why is NMDAM needed? 60% of patients on the national transplant waiting list are from multicultural communities. The need for donation and transplant is more pronounced in minority communities where disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure. You can find resources to share and read more about NMDAM at nmag1.org and DonateLife.net 💙💚
NMDAM is a collaborative effort of the National Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Multicultural Action Group (NMAG).

08/05/2026

The EBAA 2026 Annual Meeting is available on-demand. This package features select sessions from the 2026 Annual Meeting and includes 20 hours of content for up to 20.25 CEUs!

If you joined us in Indianapolis, you have free access to the package. If you were unable to make it, the recordings include:

- Opening General Session
- Deviation Detectives: Cracking the Case Before Inspectors Arrive
- Wednesday General Session
- Thursday General Session
- Feedback that Fuels Performance: Recovery Training Panel Discussion
- All About the Data: Tools, Tracking, Dashboards, and Utilization
- Technical Skills Workshop
- Accreditation Board Meeting (public portion)
- The State of the Association
- Friday General Session
- Bridging the Silos Between Technical and Quality
- Medical Advisory Board Meeting
- Scientific Symposium
- Medical Directors Symposium

For more information and to order the package, go to EyeLearn:

https://eyelearn.restoresight.org/products/2026-annual-meeting-package -product_tab_overview

08/03/2026

August is National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month.

It brings heightened awareness to donation and transplantation in multicultural communities – focusing primarily on African American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American communities.

Why is NMDAM needed? 60% of patients on the national transplant waiting list are from multicultural communities. The need for organ and tissue donation and transplant is more pronounced in minority communities where disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure. You can find resources to share and read more about NMDAM at nmag1.org and DonateLife.net

07/31/2026

Michael E. Hettinger, M.D., September 20, 1946 – July 21, 2026

EBAA is saddened to announce the passing of Michael E. Hettinger, M.D.

Dr. Hettinger practiced ophthalmology at the Kansas City Eye Clinic where he restored sight to thousands of patients before retiring in 2012. He was also the co-medical director of the Midwest Transplant Network.

An active member of EBAA, he served as chair of the association from 2002 - 2004. In 2008, he earned the R. Townley Paton Award, EBAA's highest recognition for physicians.

Our deepest sympathies extend to his family and loved ones, and we collectively remember and reflect on his contributions to eye banking and corneal transplantation.

His official obituary is available online:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/kansas-city-mo/michael-hettinger-12977836