Dr. Lotano: Giving Back Close to Home
Providing eye care to the “working poor.” - by Jerry Helzner, Senior Editor
After a long and productive career as the founder of Piedmont Eye Centers in Lynchburg, Va., Remo Lotano, MD, retired from everyday practice, underwent coronary bypass surgery and found that being relegated to the sidelines was not consistent with his active and positive personality.
“I was a little down after the bypass surgery,” says Dr. Lotano, who recently turned 76. “But I was also hearing about a lot of patients who could not afford to come to our practice anymore.”
Dr. Lotano says many of his former patients fell into the category of “the working poor,” primarily people with one or more part-time jobs who were not covered by health insurance. “Many of them work part-time in restaurants or the fast-food industry,” he notes. “The economy in our area has been relatively stable, but there have been some big layoffs.”
Fortunately, there is an existing free clinic in Lynchburg — the Free Clinic of Central Virginia — and Dr. Lotano asked if they would like to add eye care to their range of services. Once his offer to volunteer at the free clinic was accepted, Dr. Lotano spent about a year acquiring the donated equipment he would need to begin to care for patients.
Piedmont Eye Centers helped a great deal, both with equipment and volunteer support staff. Dr. Lotano also received donations from Alcon, Allergan, Lombart Instruments and Virginia Ophthalmic Services. However, he still has needs for additional equipment, especially an indirect ophthalmoscope.
“I began seeing patients in August,” says Dr. Lotano. “We have a number of diabetics who were existing patients at the free clinic but who needed treatment for diabetic retinopathy. We have also been seeing patients with glaucoma and cataracts, and also children. Some of them pay what they can.” Patients who require cataract surgery or laser treatments are referred to the Piedmont Eye Centers, where these procedures are often provided at no charge.
COURTESY OF REMO LOTANO, MD
Dr. Lotano examines a patient at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia.
“My hours at the free clinic are 5 to 10 p.m. several times a month, determined by the patient demand,” says Dr. Lotano. “Another ophthalmologist, Dr. Bill Hobbs, a solo practitioner, also volunteers at the clinic. Since we began offering eye care, word of mouth has led to a big increase in the number of patients we are seeing.
”Dr. Lotano believes that other retired physicians should consider getting involved in humanitarian efforts close to their homes. “We hear so much about ophthalmologists volunteering in third-world countries, but economic conditions in our own country are creating a need for these free clinics right here at home,” he asserts. “I know that being involved with the free clinic has given me a new outlook on life. Its very rewarding. I feel that I can use the years of knowledge and experience I have accumulated to continue to make a worthwhile contribution.”
Providing eye care to the “working poor.” - by Jerry Helzner, Senior Editor
After a long and productive career as the founder of Piedmont Eye Centers in Lynchburg, Va., Remo Lotano, MD, retired from everyday practice, underwent coronary bypass surgery and found that being relegated to the sidelines was not consistent with his active and positive personality.
“I was a little down after the bypass surgery,” says Dr. Lotano, who recently turned 76. “But I was also hearing about a lot of patients who could not afford to come to our practice anymore.”
Dr. Lotano says many of his former patients fell into the category of “the working poor,” primarily people with one or more part-time jobs who were not covered by health insurance. “Many of them work part-time in restaurants or the fast-food industry,” he notes. “The economy in our area has been relatively stable, but there have been some big layoffs.”
Fortunately, there is an existing free clinic in Lynchburg — the Free Clinic of Central Virginia — and Dr. Lotano asked if they would like to add eye care to their range of services. Once his offer to volunteer at the free clinic was accepted, Dr. Lotano spent about a year acquiring the donated equipment he would need to begin to care for patients.
Piedmont Eye Centers helped a great deal, both with equipment and volunteer support staff. Dr. Lotano also received donations from Alcon, Allergan, Lombart Instruments and Virginia Ophthalmic Services. However, he still has needs for additional equipment, especially an indirect ophthalmoscope.
“I began seeing patients in August,” says Dr. Lotano. “We have a number of diabetics who were existing patients at the free clinic but who needed treatment for diabetic retinopathy. We have also been seeing patients with glaucoma and cataracts, and also children. Some of them pay what they can.” Patients who require cataract surgery or laser treatments are referred to the Piedmont Eye Centers, where these procedures are often provided at no charge.
COURTESY OF REMO LOTANO, MD
Dr. Lotano examines a patient at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia.
“My hours at the free clinic are 5 to 10 p.m. several times a month, determined by the patient demand,” says Dr. Lotano. “Another ophthalmologist, Dr. Bill Hobbs, a solo practitioner, also volunteers at the clinic. Since we began offering eye care, word of mouth has led to a big increase in the number of patients we are seeing.
”Dr. Lotano believes that other retired physicians should consider getting involved in humanitarian efforts close to their homes. “We hear so much about ophthalmologists volunteering in third-world countries, but economic conditions in our own country are creating a need for these free clinics right here at home,” he asserts. “I know that being involved with the free clinic has given me a new outlook on life. Its very rewarding. I feel that I can use the years of knowledge and experience I have accumulated to continue to make a worthwhile contribution.”