The Future Is in Sight: Highlights from the 2025 Orbis Gala

Orbis supporters gathered at the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City for an unforgettable gala—“The Future Is in Sight: Ensuring the Next Era of Eye Care Belongs to Everyone.” The evening brought together leaders from across industries to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and our shared commitment to expanding access to quality eye care.

The program opened in near-darkness, a powerful reminder of the daily experiences of millions living with avoidable blindness. Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Vice President of Clinical Services and Technologies at Orbis, serving as Master of Ceremonies, then set the tone for the night—sharing how Orbis is working to create a world where no one loses their sight to causes that can be prevented or treated.

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Dr. Hunter Cherwek spoke about how Orbis innovations are helping eye care reach more communities.

Orbis Interim CEO Diana Wheeler took the stage to thank the many partners, sponsors, and supporters who make this work possible, including Presenting Sponsor RTX.

Together, we raised a record-setting $3.6 million in support of Orbis’s sight-saving work, including announcements of support for our Flying Eye Hospital from Woodward, GE Aerospace, Embraer, Hexcel, AirAsia, and Acron Aviation. The monies raised will ensure that Orbis can continue delivering programs that restore sight—and with it, hope, independence, and opportunity for families around the world.

Diana also shared deep appreciation for FedEx, Alcon, OMEGA, as well as the Knight and Cook families, whose vision and generosity helped bring Orbis to life more than four decades ago.Diana then celebrated the extraordinary milestones achieved through these partnerships, from expanding the reach of our Cybersight AI tool in countries such as Bangladesh, Rwanda, South Africa, and Vietnam, to developing a virtual reality training tool that is helping eye care professionals in low-resource communities build surgical skills to treat cataracts, the world’s leading cause of avoidable blindness.

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Interim CEO Diana Wheeler highlighted some of Orbis's recent milestones.

The evening included a moving tribute to the late Frederick W. Smith, founder of FedEx and a visionary supporter of Orbis for more than four decades. Orbis Board Chair John Howitt reflected on Mr. Smith’s extraordinary partnership and how his leadership helped make the Flying Eye Hospital what it is today.

Mr. Smith’s daughter, Samantha Smith, accepted a special plaque and model of the Flying Eye Hospital in her father’s honor, sharing heartfelt words about his enduring belief in innovation, compassion, and global connection.

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Samantha Smith accepted a plaque in honor of her father, FedEx Founder Frederick W. Smith.

This year’s Orbis Visionary Leadership Award was presented to Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap—a distinction that reflects his enduring partnership and commitment to transforming lives through the gift of sight. Introducing the award, John Howitt praised Mr. Kelly’s unwavering commitment to using aviation as a force for good, while Aengus reflected on the shared values that unite AerCap and Orbis—innovation, integrity, and a belief in the power of connection.

“Seeing the Flying Eye Hospital in action reminds us that technology and compassion together can change the world,” Mr. Kelly said.

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Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, spoke about the long-term partnership between Orbis and AerCap.

A powerful moment of the night came from Dr. Beth Edmunds, an Orbis Volunteer Faculty ophthalmologist, who shared her firsthand experiences training local surgeons in Bangladesh to treat childhood glaucoma.

“Children can get glaucoma too,” she told the audience. “And when treated early, their sight—and their futures—can be saved.”

Guests were then treated to a lively onstage conversation between Dr. Cherwek and New York Times-bestselling science writer Mary Roach, whose latest book Replaceable You features Orbis’s sight-restoring work in Mongolia. Their discussion offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Orbis’s impact around the world—and the human stories that drive it.

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Orbis Volunteer Faculty Dr. Beth Edmunds and NYT-bestselling author Mary Roach each shared inspiring stories from experiencing Orbis programs firsthand.

Orbis would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended the 2025 Gala. As the evening came to a close, Dr. Cherwek said it best: "Your support keeps the Flying Eye Hospital in the sky and ensures sight for those who need it most. Because of you, the future truly is in sight.”

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