About the Book
Demonstrating compassion, courage, and generosity in the face of adversity, this autobiography tells the story of a remarkable Burmese American immigrant, venerated eye surgeon, and mother to 21 sponsored and natural-born children who undertook a remarkable quest to restore hope and dignity to sight-deprived and disadvantaged people all over the world. At the age of seven, Aisha Simjee contracted and recovered from trachoma the world's leading cause of preventable blindness which fueled her desire to become an eye doctor. While a revolution rocked her homeland and in spite of the consternation of her traditional Muslim family, she triumphed as the first woman in her tribe of Indian heritage to graduate from high school, going on to attend college and medical school and eventually fleeing the country for America. She is now a board-certified ophthalmologist with a busy medical practice in Southern California and has traveled solo and with medical humanitarian volunteer agencies, performing corneal transplants and cataract surgeries throughout the world, including Colombia, Myanmar, Egypt, Cambodia, Haiti, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as well as caring for the sight-deprived poor in her own backyard. Her story not only brings focus to global health challenges but also serves as encouragement to all of us to live more productive and meaningful lives."
About the Author :
Aisha Simjee, MD, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist. She has served patients for more than 35 years through both her private practice and numerous charitable organizations and has received numerous awards and certificates of recognition. She lives in Orange, California.
Review :
""This book should serve as a great inspiration for anyone wanting to undertake global medical missions to tackle the worldwide eye crisis." --Satinder Swaroop, MD, FACO, FACC, clinical professor, University of California-Irvine School of Medicine "
""""This book should be read by the entire medical profession: students, interns, residents, nurses, and practicing physicians. It will inspire and motivate them to volunteer for medical missions, and it will endow them with a purpose-driven life." --Carl Lum, MD, mission director, Aloha Medical Mission"
""A powerful story of compassion in action by a dedicated eye surgeon. Simjee takes us on a global voyage to remote parts of the world where she ministers to victims of poverty, wars, and natural and man-made disasters. She exemplifies what it truly means to be a physician." --Harry S. Brown, MD, FACS, founder, Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) International "
""Dr. Simjee's life exemplifies what a diminutive woman with a large heart and force of will can do to restore the vision of many and enhance the humanity in all of us." --Lytton W. Smith, MD, FAAFP, CMD, former president, Orange County Medical Association, and former chief of staff, St. Jude Medical Center"
""I am hopeful that after reading this journal younger ophthalmologists will be inspired to perform missionary trips to third-world countries and perform similar surgeries to restore vision from blindness. It is a wonderful account from a true humanitarian." --Roger V. Ohanesian, MD, ophthalmologist and founder, Armenian EyeCare Project"
""If governments solved systemic problems, we would long ago have made the earth a paradise. Only individuals, giving of themselves and their expertise, like Dr. Aisha Simjee, can change the world. Her story is inspiring." --Dean Koontz "
""Riveting! Dr. Simjee, an ophthalmologist par excellence, is a superb storyteller. Each chapter of "Hope in Sight" reads like an adventure, filled with powerful moments of courage and compassion." --Manoj Kulkarni, MD, director of preoperative assessment, Allied Anesthesia Medical Group "
""Weaves together the threads of selflessness, adventure, kindness, and science that form the character of a remarkable and humble woman. Those seeking to enhance the meaning and purpose of their lives will find direction and encouragement on life's journey." --Richard S. Frankenstein, MD, FACP, past president, California Medical Association "
A powerful story of compassion in action by a dedicated eye surgeon. Simjee takes us on a global voyage to remote parts of the world where she ministers to victims of poverty, wars, and natural and man-made disasters. She exemplifies what it truly means to be a physician. Harry S. Brown, MD, FACS, founder, Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) International "
Dr. Simjee s life exemplifies what a diminutive woman with a large heart and force of will can do to restore the vision of many and enhance the humanity in all of us. Lytton W. Smith, MD, FAAFP, CMD, former president, Orange County Medical Association, and former chief of staff, St. Jude Medical Center"
I am hopeful that after reading this journal younger ophthalmologists will be inspired to perform missionary trips to third-world countries and perform similar surgeries to restore vision from blindness. It is a wonderful account from a true humanitarian. Roger V. Ohanesian, MD, ophthalmologist and founder, Armenian EyeCare Project"
If governments solved systemic problems, we would long ago have made the earth a paradise. Only individuals, giving of themselves and their expertise, like Dr. Aisha Simjee, can change the world. Her story is inspiring. Dean Koontz "
Riveting! Dr. Simjee, an ophthalmologist par excellence, is a superb storyteller. Each chapter of Hope in Sight reads like an adventure, filled with powerful moments of courage and compassion. Manoj Kulkarni, MD, director of preoperative assessment, Allied Anesthesia Medical Group "
This book should serve as a great inspiration for anyone wanting to undertake global medical missions to tackle the worldwide eye crisis. Satinder Swaroop, MD, FACO, FACC, clinical professor, University of California Irvine School of Medicine "
Weaves together the threads of selflessness, adventure, kindness, and science that form the character of a remarkable and humble woman. Those seeking to enhance the meaning and purpose of their lives will find direction and encouragement on life s journey. Richard S. Frankenstein, MD, FACP, past president, California Medical Association "
This book should be read by the entire medical profession: students, interns, residents, nurses, and practicing physicians. It will inspire and motivate them to volunteer for medical missions, and it will endow them with a purpose-driven life. Carl Lum, MD, mission director, Aloha Medical Mission"
