Our Team

Patrick D. Calhoun
Founder
pcalhoun@visionrestorationintl.org

Patrick, our founder, is passionate about helping others receive high level care and works to ensure every patient is treated with the highest respect and dignity. Patrick’s social entrepreneurship focuses on advancing the well being of individuals living in poverty worldwide. He strives to model social entrepreneurship practices as well as support other’s social endeavors in an effort to nurture the minds of the future visionaries. Patrick leads by serving with accountability and transparency at the forefront of all that he does. Professionally, he has extensive Ophthalmology field experience and believes that the best way to help others is by allowing them to help themselves. In his current role overseeing the US market for a Ophthalmology medical device company he brings that same passion and expertise for eye care. He selflessly leads Vision Restoration International in restoring sight and renewing lives.

Alisia “Ali” Orozco
Director of Operations  
aorozco@visionrestorationintl.org

Ali has ten years of ophthalmology field experience; she received her degree in Denver, Colorado.  She is involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization. She makes sure that all supplies, volunteers, and support staff are clear on the mission and goals of VRI. Working for VRI allows Ali to combine her passions of Ophthamology, helping the less fortunate, and traveling. She values a high standard of care and is committed to ensuring that the organization can reach as many people as possible. She is now living in Wisconsin running an Ophthalmology/Optometry practice management and clinical application consulting firm that she founded. She brings a sense of passion and service for those that are less fortunate to organization!

Ron O’Herron
Chairman of the Board

Ron has over 30 years of corporate management and consulting experience. Ron served as the President of a multi-national manufacturing company and oversaw revenues of up to $500 million. His operational methodology is focused on helping businesses and individuals build plans for both short and long-term goals for successful growth. He served in the United States Army as a Platoon Sergeant after graduating from Midwestern College with his bachelor’s degree in Business. He later earned his MBAs in Business Law and Strategic Business Management from Cornell University and the University of Michigan. Throughout his career he worked in international and domestic markets and in various industries. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and with his wife and eight grandchildren.

John Lubitz, Esq.
Board Member | Legal Counsel

John has over thirty years of legal experience, he focuses on corporate law, general business planning and transactions and other environmental and commercial transactions. John has obtained a lot of practical entrepreneurial knowledge and is able to help both established and growing companies. He not only brings extensive legal knowledge and support to the organization but he also brings a strong passion for charitable work and making our communities a better place. John sits on the Board of Directors at Homes for Living Hope, a Denver based nonprofit, as well.

Dr. Jared L. Matthews, M.D.
Medical Director | Volunteer Physician
Board Member

Dr. Matthews is our medical director and one of our volunteer physicians, he earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He then completed a fellowship in ophthalmic pathology at the nation’s top eye hospital, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. During his fellowship he researched the underlying mechanisms of rare and serious eye diseases. He published his findings in scientific journals, he furthered his research by investigating methods to improve the safety and efficiency of laser cataract surgery. He enjoys complex surgical cases and strives to obtain the best possible patient outcomes. Dr. Matthews is a vital part of our medical and medical training team helping to allow us to provide sustainable care for those in need around the world. Dr. Matthews currently is on faculty at the University of Tennessee and works on the cornea service teaching resident and fellows. He is passionate about giving back to those in need and improving the health of those in our community.

Dr. Melanie Niehus, O.D.
Optometrist | Volunteer Physician
Board Member

Melanie grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she is a multi-faceted individual with many talents and interests. The completed her undergraduate degree in French from Pacific University in Oregon. While in college she played Lacrosse and was captain of the Pacific University Women’s Lacrosse Team. When she finished with her undergrad she went on to study optometry. In college she participated in a group that traveled to impoverished countries to provide eye care. She is passionate about providing high quality care to individuals worldwide in the years to come.

Karen Bachman
Board Member

Karen has worked in the Ophthalmology field and has also gone to third world countries to provide eye care to people worldwide. She is passionate about our mission and is driven to advance our mission. Humanitarian eye care has blessed her with the opportunity to travel globally and renewing lives through restoring sight.  Karen brings vital experience in global ophthalmology to our organization and helps to create strategic plans that will ensure success in domestic and international eye programs. As an executive in Ophthalmology she brings a great connections and support to the organization and its mission.

Volunteer Physicians

Dr. Dana Hill, O.D.
Optometrist

Dana grew up with a mother who was an ophthalmologist. She approaches treatment from all angles, she is passionate about educating patients on their vision. When in college she majored in psychology, in graduate school she completes an advantage.