California First Lady Maria Shriver stopped-by the vision care area at, The Modern House Call for Women, to visit with patients, doctors and optometric interns. Pictured (l-r) are: SCCO Assistant Professor John H. Lee, O.D.; California First Lady Maria Shriver; and SCCO Professor and Vice President of Interprofessional Affairs John H. Nishimoto, O.D., M.B.A.

The Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO), participated in, "The Modern House Call for Women," a groundbreaking three-day clinic for underserved women in the Long Beach area. Vision, medical, dental and wellness care for thousands of women was provided without cost.

SCCO coordinated the vision screenings of about 1,260 patients, with the assistance of SCCO faculty, optometric interns and alumni. Other vision care providers provided invaluable assistance at the three-day event held, October 22 – 24, at California State University, Long Beach. Patients also had access to a collection of resources related to finances, health and jobs, as well as housing assistance.

The health-care event was the prelude to the three-day Women's Conference hosted by California First Lady Maria Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Women are dealing with so much in today's world – from working to support their families to serving as the primary caregivers for children and aging parents – that they often have no time or money left over to take care of their own health and well-being," said California First Lady Maria Shriver. "The first-of-its-kind Modern House Call for Women addresses this challenge by providing free medical and financial services to women in need, all under one roof and all at the same time. We are only able to bring these life-changing services to the women of Long Beach because of the strong spirit of service and volunteerism that exists here in California."

The post-House Call event – the Women's Conference, will engage more than 150 of the world's greatest voices, hearts and minds around the overarching theme of "It's Time." The goal of the conference, also being held in Long Beach, is to inspire more than 30,000 women to see this challenging moment in history as an opportunity to come together and transform themselves and their communities.

Photo Gallery: