Vision Over Sight at Nicola’s
Clovernook Center recognized three champions in the blind and visually impaired (BVI) community during its annual Vision Over Sight dinner. The event — held March 14, 2024, at Nicola’s Ristorante in Over-the-Rhine — featured a five-course menu and an awards ceremony. More than 125 people gathered to honor the 2024 award recipients.
“Our supporters, donors and award recipients are game changers in our city and our community,” said Chris Faust, Clovernook Center President & CEO. “We celebrate the generosity of their time, talent and treasures through events like Vision Over Sight and other opportunities throughout the year.”
2024 Award Winners
Vision Over Sight Award — Terry Schwartz, M.D.
Presented to an individual who has championed accessibility through personal example and leadership within the BVI community.
Terry Schwartz, M.D., an academic pediatric ophthalmologist (clinician and surgeon) for more than 30 years with appointments at West Virginia University School of Medicine (WVU), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati (UC) School of Medicine. She developed and has directed the Pediatric Low Vision Program for 21 years and is the founding medical director of Cincinnati Children’s Pediatric Low Vision Program and WVU Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program serving children with ocular and brain-based visual impairment from birth to 21 years of age.
Since 2018, Schwartz has also served as the founding medical director for Clovernook Center’s Pediatric Low Vision Clinic in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s, providing one-of-a-kind, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care and support for children with vision impairment. The clinic strives to enhance each child’s remaining vision, while establishing a strong foundation for future learning. She has lectured and designed instructional courses at national meetings on the delivery of pediatric low vision care and has served on Low Vision Rehabilitation committees for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
President’s Award — Richard Kerstine, M.D.
Honors an individual who has served the BVI community with excellence throughout the tenure of their career.
Richard S. Kerstine, M.D. received his Medical Degree from University of Louisville School of Medicine followed by an internship at former Cincinnati General Hospital. He then spent two years in the U.S. Navy as a medical officer. Kerstine is a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio State Ophthalmology Society, and the Cincinnati Ophthalmology Society. He is the co-founder of the Cincinnati Eye Institute (CEI) and helped to expand Clovernook Center’s Low Vision Clinic for adults in partnership with CEI.
As a comprehensive ophthalmologist with the retinal eye service at CEI, Kerstine devoted particular attention to patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Kerstine is a Clinical Volunteer Professor at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. His long history of volunteerism and leadership to many organizations in Cincinnati including Clovernook Center, the Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Service and Wise Temple. Kerstine also served for many years on the Amberley Village Council and as Mayor for four years.
Community Award — Jeanette Roesner
Recognizes an outstanding individual or business that has displayed dedication and service to the BVI community.
Jeanette Roesner is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and Teacher of the Multi-handicapped (K–12) for students with mild to severe disabilities. She has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo and a Master’s Degree from Wright State. Roesner is currently a Teacher of the Visually Impaired on the Educational Assessment Team at the Montgomery County Educational Service Center (MCESC) as well as a TVI for the Vision Department that provides vision services and Orientation and Mobility services to nearly 300 students throughout the region.
In her current role at MCESC, Roesner completes 75+ functional vision assessments and learning media assessments each school year. She also provides consultation to area school districts needing support for children and young adults with visual impairments and blindness across a variety of educational settings in 54 school districts spanning 11 counties in the Miami Valley Region. She has provided Professional Development for school staff on a variety of topics related to teaching and interacting with individuals of all abilities who are blind or visually impaired. Roesner has worked closely with area school psychologists to plan for student evaluations and incorporate visual aids, braille or other accommodations during testing to assist in a more accurate assessment of a child’s true potential.
Please join us in celebrating the 2024 Vision Over Sight award winners. Click here to make a donation in honor of this year’s winners.
Check back for information on our 2025 event.
Event Sponsors
Independence and Innovation Sponsor
Eurostampa
Braille Excellence Sponsors
Gries Financial Partners
Spearhead Labs
Advocacy Sponsors
Connie Evans
HUB HORAN
May We Help
Matt Shad and Eric Soderlund
Assistive Technology Sponsors
Barnes Dennig
Blue & Co.
CEI Foundation
CET PBS
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Karin Geraci
Randie Sue Hagelman
Schwartz Jewelers
Elizabeth and Chris Stock
Tomahawk Strategic Solutions
United Healthcare