Sight for South Texas Campaign- Phase II
A Vision for the Future of South Texas
Continue the Momentum of the Ophthalmology Residency Program with Phase II of the Sight for South Texas Campaign.
Expanding Our Vision: Phase II
Phase I of the Sight for South Texas Campaign began in the spring of 2025 and sought to raise funds for the establishment of the following initiatives:
Establishment of Ophthalmology Residency Program - Initial funding to begin the Ophthalmology Residency Program in partnership with TIGMER.
Mein Eye Institute at Brooks City Base -Obtaining a permanent site to serve as the headquarters of the Ophthalmology Residency Program as well as a site to provide exceptional patient care.
Community Outreach – Expanded screenings, transportation assistance, and preventive eye-care programs for underserved populations.
Phase I was met with success and the goal was achieved. The first ophthalmology resident was identified and began the PGY-1 internship year in 2025. Given this success, TEAM is moving boldly into Phase II of the Sight for South Texas Fundraising Campaign. This next chapter has a goal to raise $10M and focuses on long-term sustainability and expanded impact through the following three initiatives:
01.) Surgery Center Development:
A state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center at the Mein Eye Institute that will:
Provide access to advanced eye surgeries in a medically underserved area.
Serve as a premier surgical training and clinical site for residents and fellows.
Generate sustainable revenue to support the long-term operations of the residency program and community outreach.
This facility will close the loop between training and service thus ensuring that our mission of teaching, healing, and innovation is self-sustaining for generations to come.
02.) Residency Program Expansion and Solidification
Our next goal is to expand the Ophthalmology Residency Program, growing the number of residents, recruiting and retaining faculty, and introducing new fellowships in subspecialties such as:
Retina
Cornea and Refractive Surgery
Oculoplastics
Pediatric Ophthalmology
Neuro Ophthalmology
This investment ensures that South Texas continues to train and retain the next generation of ophthalmologists who will serve our communities with skill, compassion, and purpose.
03.) Community Outreach and Vision Equity
We believe access to sight-saving care should never depend on where you live or how much you earn.
This fund will:
• Support mobile screening units, school-based vision programs, and transportation services for underserved patients.
• Expand partnerships with community clinics and nonprofit organizations.
• Build bridges of access from surrounding rural and low-income communities directly to the Mein Eye Institute.
Through this, we ensure that our mission reaches those who need it most.
See the impact Phase One made!
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, the Sight for South Texas Campaign achieved its initial fundraising goal, a milestone that laid the foundation for what is now becoming a historic transformation in vision care, education, and community service across South Texas.
Because of this success, we launched the Ophthalmology Residency Program, recruited world-class faculty, secured ACGME submission, and began developing the Mein Eye Institute at Brooks City Base: our flagship center for clinical care, education, and innovation.
But this is only the beginning.
📍 Location: TEAM Mein Eye Institute at Brooks City Base campus, San Antonio
🎯 Goal Reached for Phase 1
🧑⚕️ Impact: Obtained Program Headquarters (Mein Eye Institute), recruitment of first Ophthalmology Resident (began PGY-1 in July 2025), recruitment of physician faculty and rotation sites.
These numbers tell a powerful story. The need is real—and together, we can change the outcome.
63% of South Texas counties are designated health professional shortage areas
32,000+ residents live with untreated vision conditions
10.3%–12.3% of adults over 65 have undiagnosed glaucoma
Help us achieve Phase 2
