Misko Continues to Advance Eye Banking Through Memorial Scholarship

Almost a year ago, Jachin Misko, Regional Director of Clinical Services, passed away. He was a pivotal leader in establishing Saving Sight’s DSAEK cutting lab and procedures, an achievement that considerably enhanced the ability to provide tissues needed by recipients. Operationally, he streamlined processes for preparing donor tissue for distribution to surgeons, and he served in a leadership capacity in communicating with surgeons.

Jachin was also a leader within the Eye Bank Association of America, serving on the Exam Committee, Continuing Education Committee, Medical Review Subcommittee, and Medical Advisory Board. That is why a scholarship, the Jachin Misko Memorial Scholarship for Technical Advancement in Eye Banking, was created in his memory this past winter. Saving Sight partnered with Numedis, a manufacturer of corneal preservation media, to offer up to $2,000 to cover the travel, registration, and lodging costs for an eye bank technician from an EBAA member eye bank to attend the 2014 Technician Education Seminar (TES) in
Tampa, Florida.

Tony Bavuso, chief executive officer, said, “I believe this is a particularly meaningful way to honor Jachin because it represents the impact he had on all of us and on changing lives by saving sight through eye banking.” The scholarship will be offered to a promising eye bank technician for at least the next four EBAA Technician Education Seminars.

This year’s recipient was Monica Freiburger, an employee of Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Of her experience winning the scholarship, she wrote, “I was both excited and humbled by the responsibility that came with this scholarship.” To read more about Monica’s experience at the seminar, view the February 2014 issue of Insight, the EBAA’s monthly e-newsletter.

As the anniversary of Jachin’s passing approaches, the staff of Saving Sight remember him for the outstanding contributions he made as a member of our team. If you would like to contribute to the memorial scholarship to help us honor him by supporting future leaders in eye banking, please visit our Giving page where you can designate your gift to the fund. You can also send a check to our headquarters in Kansas City at 10560 N. Ambassador Dr., Suite 210, Kansas City, MO 64153 with a note stating that your gift is intended to support the Jachin Misko Memorial Scholarship for Technical Advancement in Eye Banking. If you have any questions, please call our accounting department at 1-800-753-2265 or send us a message through our Contact Form.