Get to Know Alena Hackett
Alena Hackett, Clinical Community Outreach Coordinator, The Eye Institute of Drexel University
What is your official title at Drexel?
Clinical Community Outreach Coordinator, The
Eye Institute of Drexel University
Explain what you do in under 50 words.
The biggest part of my job is to ensure that underserved
school children receive the vision care they need. I
schedule and manage the School Vision Program
team. I also interact with community leaders to make
sure the public knows about the resources our clinical
facilities have to offer.
Who do you interact with
most on a daily basis?
I work closely with the School Vision
Program team: Brandy Scombordi-Raghu, OD, director of optometric
clinical outreach, and Steve Lee,
Joanne Packer and Corina Elston,
who serve as technicians and
assistants in the program. This also
includes many student interns and
adjunct faculty. I communicate with
a lot of school nurses! I also help the
Elkins Park Campus marketing team
with community events and clinical
activities.
What is your typical
day like?
I start my day early at home answering
emails. When I get to The Eye Institute,
I have a lot of conversations with
school nurses to help the underserved kids in the
greater Philadelphia area. I spend much of my time
making all the activities — vision screenings, exams for
the schools and community, and resource tables — fit
into our schedule.
How do you see your work fitting
into the big picture of the missions
of the College?
All the work I do is to serve our
patients and engage with the
community. Proper vision care
can change a young person’s
life. If you can’t see the
blackboard, you can’t learn!
Our goal is to be in the
schools and community to help
young people have a better
experience.
What are your
favorite and least
favorite tasks?
My favorite part of my job is
when I get to go to a school
and see how excited the kids
are to get eyeglasses. I don’t get to go out too often,
but it is very heartwarming. My least favorite part is
when I have to tell schools or event organizers “no.”
We want to help everyone, but unfortunately there
are not enough hours in a day.
What is your educational and previous
work background? How did those
prepare you for what you do now?
Before working at The Eye Institute, I was a small
business owner. I worked with fine chocolate as a
chocolatier and owned a specialty
candy store. Prior to that experience,
I attended Warren Wilson College
in Asheville, North Carolina. I think
working with the public for many
years has helped me learn how to
talk to strangers. Engaging with the
public is definitely an acquired skill!
I think everyone should be required
to work a retail job at least once in
their life.
When you are working
on site, do you bring your
own lunch or eat out?
I always bring my own lunch.
I usually eat at my desk and
do a crossword puzzle.
What’s one piece of
Philly culture that you
return to over and over
again, and why?
Just outside of Philadelphia is the Brandywine River
Museum, which showcases many of the Wyeth
family’s artwork. I love that there is a place so close
to a big city that honors the countryside and the artists
who loved it.
Being from the Philadelphia area, I have to say
that football season is my favorite time of year:
GO BIRDS!