Voices From the Field: Interview with Paulette Tattersall
Paulette Tattersall DipPharm, MSc, is the Northeast Director of Prevent Blindness, a national organization whose mission is to prevent blindness and preserve sight. She is also Co-Chair of Children’s Vision Massachusetts (CVMA), a 70-member coalition of parents, health professionals, educators and organizations who work together towards building a statewide systematic approach to vision care for Massachusetts children.
How did you begin your career in early childhood?
My public health career started as a pharmacist in New Zealand. After coming to the United States, I worked as a clinical coordinator for children’s vision research studies at the New England College of Optometry, which brought me to early childhood in a more focused way. The research developed into my next position as Pediatric Program Director of Massachusetts’ first mobile vision clinic. The program visited underserved schools and preschools providing eye exams and free eyeglasses to children throughout the state. I learned firsthand the barriers to eye care families face, and the kinds of assistance early educators and parents need in order to make sure a child’s vision is working well. At Prevent Blindness we raise awareness about these needs through advocacy, provision of vision screening training and [...]