Your donations provide surgical supplies and equipment to local medical professionals and volunteer medical teams throughout the world.
SSI Board Members
Stephanie Boumediene is the Vice President of External Relations for the Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, supporting the collaborative Center for Nanomedicine at UC Santa Barbara. She received her Master in Public Health in Health Services from UCLA, and is completing her doctorate in Public Health/Health Services at UCLA. Working throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East, she has been in the field of international health for much of her career. As Executive Director at Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) International, she forged new collaborative relationships in many regions of the world while producing greater program efficiencies. Stephanie’s most recent position was as the Gift Planning Officer for the American Red Cross, supporting the tri-counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
Baillie Russell Brown - Founder/Director of Programs
Baillie Russell Brown, an ophthalmic surgical technician and optician by trade, has been on the forefront of international ophthalmology for the past twenty-eight years. For fourteen years, Ms. Brown served in an Executive capacity at Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) International where she significantly increased SEE’s global presence from 2 countries to over 60 countries, tying for Forbe’s first place for “America’s Most Effective Charities” during her tenure. Ms. Brown is currently consulting for the World Blindness Foundation, Deseret International, PCRF, Steak Team Mission, The Salvadorian Ophthalmological Society, Syrian Ministry of Health and FUDEM. She also serves on the Boards of the Braille Institute Auxiliary and Independent Charities of America (an umbrella organization which vets over 1,000 Combined Federal Campaign Non Profits). Ms. Brown has published articles in Ocular Surgery News, Ophthalmic Surgery and the Journal of Ophthalmic Nursing and Technology. Ms. Brown’s role in SSI is to be Director of Programs.
William Peitzke - Founder/President
William Peitzke is a UCLA alumnus who is currently a principal in the Santa Barbara office of Cypress Resource Management specializing in the field of Natural Resources. Mr. Peitzke has invented and assisted in the development of a number of intellectual properties and ventures. During his six-year tenure on the Board of Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE International), the organization tied for first place in Forbes Magazine’s ranking of the 400 most effective US Charities. As President of SSI, William Peitzke provides continuing business and financial acumen for the organization.
Brad Webb, PhD
Brad Webb is an experienced entrepreneur and investor in the biomedical and biotech industries. After receipt of a PhD in Biochemistry from UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Webb commenced a twenty year career in the ophthalmology surgery products business as an entrepreneur and R & D scientist.In 1990, Dr. Webb founded Vision Biology, and later licensed the company’s revolutionary patented Viscoelastic Surgical Fluid, for use during cataract surgeries, to Alcon Laboratories. Brad is now a Venture Partner with Claremont Creek Ventures, a highly respected Bay Area biomedical venture capital firm.
William Peitzke is a UCLA alumnus who is currently a principal in the Santa Barbara office of Cypress Resource Management specializing in the field of Natural Resources. Mr. Peitzke has invented and assisted in the development of a number of intellectual properties and ventures. During his six-year tenure on the Board of Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE International), the organization tied for first place in Forbes Magazine’s ranking of the 400 most effective US Charities. As President of SSI, William Peitzke provides continuing business and financial acumen for the organization.
Brad Webb, PhD
Brad Webb is an experienced entrepreneur and investor in the biomedical and biotech industries. After receipt of a PhD in Biochemistry from UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Webb commenced a twenty year career in the ophthalmology surgery products business as an entrepreneur and R & D scientist.In 1990, Dr. Webb founded Vision Biology, and later licensed the company’s revolutionary patented Viscoelastic Surgical Fluid, for use during cataract surgeries, to Alcon Laboratories. Brad is now a Venture Partner with Claremont Creek Ventures, a highly respected Bay Area biomedical venture capital firm.
