Retina Institute of Hawaii’s OD Provides Optometric Humanitarian Work: Dr. Kellen Kashiwa Completes His 6th Medical Mission

Becoming a doctor takes hours of educational preparation and financial sacrifices. It also takes passion.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Doctor Kellen Kashiwa of the Retina Institute of Hawaii concentrated his optometry studies in low-vision and retinal disease at Pacific University College of Optometry. During his first year of optometry school, Dr. Kashiwa was introduced to AMIGOS Eye Care, a non-profit organization of students, doctors and lay people, and the university’s affiliate of VOSH International, one of the largest eye care-providing organizations in the world, partnering with the World Health Organization.

Touched by the group’s purpose, Dr. Kashiwa went on his first mission trip with them to the Philippines. “I still remember the smile on my first patient’s face after she put on glasses and was able to read again,” he says. The following 3 days, the group helped over 1,200 patients by providing eye care through glasses and medication, or connecting those in need with local surgeons for cataract surgery.

“During that trip, I found my passion and knew this is what I was put on this world for,” Dr. Kashiwa says. “I plan on continuing to do these trips for the rest of my life.”

Last month, five optometry students from Pacific University travelled to remote villages in the United Republic of Tanzania, a country in East Africa. Tanzania is a poor country, with the largest proportion of reported persons undernourished in 2010-2012. The team of missionaries provided services in villages with extremely limited resources: very little running water, electricity, and plumbing. In a span of 4 days, the team helped over 600 patients from school-aged kids who are struggling because they cannot see in school to 90-year-olds in desperate need of bifocals.

This was Dr. Kashiwa’s sixth medical mission (previously in Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Nicaragua, and Thailand) and one of his most memorable ones because the people in Tanzania were so grateful and welcoming. Recipients who were provided a new pair of glasses can finally read again, see their loved ones, or simply see their surroundings.

For more information or to donate to AMIGOS Eye Care, visit amigoseyecare.com.