Eversight proudly celebrates Senior Brand Strategy & Communications Specialist Caroline Miller, who received the 2026 Optics Award from the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) during the association's annual meeting on June 5 in Indianapolis.
Presented annually to an individual or team from an EBAA member eye bank, the Optics Award recognizes exceptional creativity, storytelling and communications excellence in advancing the mission to restore sight worldwide.
Since joining Eversight in 2022, Miller has transformed how the organization shares stories of donation, transplantation, research and vision restoration. Through compelling written and digital content, she has amplified the voices of donor families, cornea recipients, surgeons, researchers, philanthropic supporters and Eversight team members, helping connect communities to the mission of restoring sight and preventing blindness.
"Eversight reignited my love for writing and gave me the tools and resources to tell stories again and feel like I am a part of something bigger than myself," said Miller. "Getting to be the voice for a donor family grieving their loved one or a cornea recipient rejoicing in the gift of sight, and can now tie their own shoelaces again, is something I take great pride in. I have told the stories of over 200 donor families, cornea recipients, philanthropic supporters, Eversight team members, research partners, surgeons across borders, and many more who have been impacted by the gift of sight. Each person was a stranger to me four years ago, but now their stories are ingrained in my life."
Collectively, these stories have helped strengthen awareness of eye donation and its impact. Her work has expanded Eversight's digital presence, strengthened engagement across audiences and elevated awareness of the vital role eye donation plays in restoring vision.
"One of Caroline's greatest accomplishments is that she hasn't just told stories—she has inspired others to tell them, too," said Brenna Wheeler, Eversight’s Director, Brand Strategy & Communications. "She has helped build a culture where people across our organization recognize the power of sharing their experiences and the impact those stories can have. Because of Caroline, more donor families, recipients, researchers, surgeons and team members are finding their voices, and our mission is reaching people in ways that statistics alone never could."
"To me, what sets Caroline apart is the empathy she brings to every conversation and every story," said Bret Hopman, Eversight’s Senior Vice President, Brand Experience. "She takes the time to understand each person’s unique experience, builds trust and ensures every voice is honored with care and authenticity. Her storytelling doesn't just inform—it helps people process loss, celebrate legacy and understand the true impact of the gift of sight."
"Caroline embodies the very best of Eversight's mission and values," said Diane Hollingsworth, Eversight President/CEO. "Her storytelling gives voice to donor families, celebrates the resilience of recipients, and highlights the dedication of the surgeons, researchers and partners who make sight restoration possible. She has elevated awareness of eye donation while helping people connect to our mission on a deeply human level. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized with this well-deserved national honor."
The stories that earned Miller this national recognition reflect the life-changing impact of eye donation—from honoring donor legacies to celebrating restored vision. Discover more stories of hope, healing and sight restoration at eversightvision.org/blog.
About Eversight
Eversight is a nonprofit organization with a mission to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research. The Eversight network is responsible for recovering, evaluating and providing human eye tissue for transplantation; supporting research into the causes and cures of blinding eye conditions; promoting donation awareness through public and professional education; and providing humanitarian aid to people around the world in need of corneal transplantation. Operating in Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and South Korea, Eversight works in collaboration with surgeons, researchers, academic medical centers and eye banks across the United States and abroad. For more information, visit eversightvision.org.
Media Contact
Brenna Wheeler
Director, Brand Strategy & Communications
(734) 780-2764