Phoenix– The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has appointed Laura Smith as the new director of Eyes On Learning, a statewide coalition focused on improving vision health for Arizona’s children. Smith steps into the role as longtime director Karen Woodhouse prepares to retire later this summer.
Founded in 2015, Eyes On Learning brings together state, local, and national partners to ensure that Arizona children receive timely vision screenings, eye exams, and any necessary follow-up care. The initiative is rooted in research showing that about one in four school-age children have vision problems that can interfere with learning, especially during early childhood when literacy skills are developing.
Smith comes to the role with extensive experience in public health education. She previously served as the program manager for community education at The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI), where she led outreach and training programs that reached over 1,500 healthcare professionals and school health staff annually. She also headed the Arizona School Immunization Coalition and was a recent fellow in the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health.
Smith began her career as a certified ophthalmic assistant, giving her a strong foundation in vision health and care. “Healthy vision is critical for every child’s school success, as well as their social development and overall well-being,” she said. “I look forward to working with the advisory board and community partners to build on the progress made and expand access to care.”
Under Woodhouse’s leadership, Eyes On Learning played a key role in shaping Arizona’s vision screening policies. The coalition helped draft legislation requiring regular screenings in all public and charter schools, impacting roughly half a million students each year. It also worked with the state health department to modernize screener certification and is piloting a new web-based vision screening platform to improve access and efficiency statewide.
“There’s more to be done, and Laura has such a distinctive mix of expertise and experience to carry this initiative forward,” said Steve Zabilski, president and CEO of the Piper Trust. “It’s clear she is driven to ensure that all Arizona children receive regular vision screenings.”
Roy Pringle of the Vitalyst Health Foundation, a member of the coalition’s advisory board, echoed the sentiment. “We have a strong, purposeful, productive coalition, and I’m confident that Laura is the right leader to keep the momentum going.”
