Dr Shimada truly believes we can all help change our world for the better — one person at a time.
Because helping people is SO important to Dr. Shimada, Dr. Shimada has closed her La Habra optometry office for two weeks almost every summer for the past 12 years to help others.
In 2011, Dr. Shimada went on a ten day Christian medical compassion trip to North Africa, along with other physicians, dentists, nurses, etc to provide medical care to people living in poverty in the rural villages. Dr. Shimada provided eye exams and eye glasses to over 250 people in just 4 1/2 days. Helping people in North Africa was one of the most rewarding experiences Dr Shimada has ever done — it is such a Blessing to help others!!
And just this past summer 2013, Dr Shimada has gone back to Samoa to help the people there AND to VIetnam to help people in need there.
In Vietnam, the team of medical,dental, and eyecare doctors (That’s Dr. Shimada!!) saw 2700 patients in 5 clinic days. Dr Shimada was able to prescribe glasses to people in need. Several patients were legally blind (that’s not being able to see the “BIG E”v without glasses) and now thanks to Dr. Shimada’s help, they can now see clearly for the firrst time in their lives. Several other patients were given needed medication to treat their TRACHOMA, an infectious disease that can cause blindness . . and a few others, because of Dr. Shimada’s diagnosis, has been scheduled for cataract surgery enabling them to again have the miracle of sight.
Besides traveling to remote places around the world doing eye care to help people with their visual needs, Dr Shimada has also taught children Math and English in Morocco and Tanzania, and has gone to China to help ‘special needs” childlren at an Beijing orphanage.
Helping people this past summer was one of the most rewarding experiences Dr. Shimada has had the privilege of being a part of. It is SUCH a Blessing to help others!! (Where will Dr. Shimadas go next? Well, Dr Shimada has committed to go to Thailand / Myamar with a Medical Compassion Team for two weeks February 2014 to help people there)
In recognition of Dr. Shimada’s numerous contributions to her community and profession, Dr. Shimada was given the prestigious “California Young Optometrist of the Year” Award, presented by the California Optometric Association . . .and earlier this year, Dr. Shimada was given the “America’s Top[ Optometrists” award for 2013.
Additionally, Dr Shimada has gotten letters of commendations from former California Governor Pete Wilson, former California State Senator Richard Ackerman, and current United States Senator Barbara Boxer honoring Dr. Shimada for her community involvement in La Habra and North Orange County.