Board Members
Dawn Lieb, JD FLLEC President
Retired federal administrative law judge in the Departments of Health and Human Services and Social Security Administration; Juris Doctor degree from Marquette University
“The Clinic inspires me because it offers a sense of connection to my community which comes from working with others on a shared mission and purpose.”
Larry DeArmond FLLEC Treasurer
Retired CFO and partner at Catalyst Equity Group, LLC; Bachelor of Science degree, accounting and CPA Wichita State University
“The clinic inspires me to give back to society that has given me great opportunity.”
Marilynne White, JD, MPA FLLEC Secretary
Marilynne moved to the Naples area fifteen years ago from Madison, New Jersey where she was, and still continues to be, the Vice President and General Counsel for Logical Design Solutions, Inc. She holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University, as well as a MPA from Harvard University and a BA in Economics from Duke University.
J. Timothy Diegel, MD, FLLEC Director, Medical Director
Retired eye surgeon at Park Nicollet Clinic in Minneapolis; USAF flight surgeon, neuro-ophthalmologist, and Colonel; semi-retired clinical professor at the University of Minnesota. Medical degree at the University of Minnesota, ophthalmology residency at Brown University, and a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at Boston University; also trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
“The clinic inspires me because I see how volunteerism can change people and improve their quality of life.”
Howard Freedman, MD FLLEC Director
Current volunteer clinic doctor
Retired ophthalmologist; co-founder of the Florida Lions Eye Clinic; Medical degree specializing in ophthalmology from Harvard Medical School
“The Clinic inspires me because it is a unique venue that provides complete care, treatment, and surgery for hundreds of uninsured and low-income patients in our community who have no other access to excellent eye care.”
Richard D. Shapiro, MD FLLEC Director
Current volunteer clinic doctor
Retired ophthalmologist from Warren Ophthalmology Associates in Ohio and early supporter of the Florida Lions Eye Clinic; Medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Pennsylvania; and received the post-doctoral Heed Fellowship in retinal detachment at The Ohio State University
“The Clinic inspires me because I can continue treating those in need and use my years of experience to help others.”
Dawn DeArmond FLLEC Director
Retired president and CEO of Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters; Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Wichita State University
“The Clinic inspires me because we are giving the Gift of Sight to a population of people that need our help the most.”
Howard Freedman, MD FLLEC Director
Retired Senior Staff Optometrist from Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine; Doctor of Optometry from The Ohio State University
“The clinic inspires me because it provides care to patients that would not otherwise have access to eye care, and it does so without cost to the recipients.”
Carol Marston-Foucher, OD FLLEC Director
Current volunteer clinic doctor
Retired ophthalmologist from Warren Ophthalmology Associates in Ohio and early supporter of the Florida Lions Eye Clinic; Medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Pennsylvania; and received the post-doctoral Heed Fellowship in retinal detachment at The Ohio State University.
Jason C. Friedrichs, MD FLLEC Director
*Current volunteer clinic surgeon.
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist at Collins Vision, Doctorate of Medicine – University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL, Master of Science in Biology with emphasis in Molecular Physiology – University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Champaign, IL, Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry – University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Champaign, IL, Residency at the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology, Iowa City, IA
“The clinic inspires me because it serves the community without bias.”
Melissa Watson-Boyer FLLEC Director
Division Director for Pediatrics through Golisano Children’s Hospital of SWFL. Serving in healthcare for over 23 years.
MBA, FACMPE
“The clinic inspires me because there are so many families who are stuck between making too much money to apply for Medicaid and making too little to pay the rent, gas, food, and other expenses. This clinic offers free care to our community families with no insurance allowing them to have the clinical care needed to protect or enhance their eyesight. This service is amazing and we are very fortunate we can offer this to our community.”
Joseph JacksonBonita Springs Lions Club past president, FLLEC Liaison
Retired Director of Psychological Services for Miami Public Schools, School Psychologist, Lions Club member for over 31 years, President of Miami Kendall West and Bonita Springs Lions Clubs, Coordinator of the Lions Preschool Screening Program for Lee County. Ordained Minister, Graduate of Lincoln Christian College and University of Miami.
“The clinic inspires me because it is the embodiment of Lions Clubs which seeks to serve those in need who have problems with vision. I am so proud that the Bonita Springs Lions Club was a major supporter of establishing the clinic.”
Providing Eye Care
to Florida’s Underserved is Our Mission
The Florida Lions Eye Clinic is a federally recognized 501(C)3 charitable status organization.