Seeing the Possible in the Impossible
My name is Suzanne Gilbert. For the last 45 years, I’ve had the most rewarding job in the world, with the most remarkable people, at the most resilient organization: the Seva Foundation.
I’ve been with Seva…well, before it was even called Seva! Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, from Co-Founder to volunteer to Executive Director, Program Director, and in recent years as Senior Director of Research. This month, I’ll be retiring from the organization.
As I wind down these last few weeks, I’ve dug through the archives, recalling touching Seva stories and the people behind them. Seva’s stellar Communications Team asked if I’d share some of my journey with you.
What did five decades in public health teach me? Well, beyond dancing back-up for Wavy Gravy (true story!), it really boils down to this: learning how to see the possible in the impossible.
In the late 70s, when we first told people our aim to eliminate avoidable blindness, they thought we were nuts. “You can’t do it, that’s not going to happen, is that even a problem?” Some just asked “how?” And to be honest, we hadn’t gotten that far in our plan yet. We just had this vision, first steps, kept going, and attracted colleagues who shared our same goal.
Building and scaling self-sustaining eye care programs worldwide is no small feat. What’s stood resolute across five decades is Seva’s firm commitment to compassion, science and service – individually great, but combined? Potent to create lasting change. Today, Seva has grown into a leading authority in public health, tens of thousands of supporters strong, and 57 million people served across over 20 countries.
I’m heartened with all we’ve achieved together – but it’s behind the scenes where some of my favorite memories are, and where the “Seva magic” often happens: talks late into the night to truly hear each other, experiencing the ground realities of partners around the world, and the unexpected surprises along the way (turns out there’s a lot of them in public health!). Hope you enjoy these few memories.
This isn’t a goodbye. Seva will always be in my heart.
In Seva,
Suzanne Gilbert
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., I was always interested in political movements & social activism. My family’s involvement with the local community sparked my lifelong journey to build opportunities for service.
My first of many times in Nepal was in 1971 to prepare for my Fulbright Grant. As part of my project, I observed and talked with women about their children’s health. I picked up Nepali pretty quickly, building on a few years of Hindi-Urdu study. My husband Tim and I trekked more than 500 miles to reach remote villages.
From Nepal, I applied to the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor. It’s here where I met the Brilliants and my future Co-Founders of Seva. In fact, I met Girija Brilliant while walking down the school’s hall and noticed we both had matching Tibetan woven shoulder bags! We were thrilled to learn that we were in the same doctoral program.
Our early meetings were a real trip. A richly eclectic group of folks gathered – public health experts like Dr. Nicole Grasset and Dr. Venkataswamy, spiritual leaders like Ram Dass, Wavy Gravy, and more. Our job was to explore public health issues in the world and identify where we could make a difference.
Wavy really liked the idea of working on diarrhea- “We could have concerts and call them’ No Shit’!” he’d say.
We settled on avoidable blindness. One of the first things that we did was conduct the Nepal Blindness Survey. The Nepali and expat teams who led this effort went door-to-door to more than 8,000 homes in 105 villages to uncover that cataract was the leading cause of blindness. One of my first jobs was going around Kathmandu and finding printing companies to print the thousands of survey forms! There was no task too small or basic.
Yep, that’s me dancing backup for Wavy Gravy. We called ourselves the Sevettes and performed at several benefit concerts over the years that raised critical funds for Seva programs!
I will never forget the first planning session for the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology, the first such multidisciplinary training and research institute in the global south. During this same meeting week in India, Seva and Aravind members also discussed the formation of Aurolab which today produces 8% of all intraocular lenses used by cataract patients around the world.
One of the joys with Seva has been to get to know and work with remarkable people like Ram Dass, Dr. Venkataswamy, Mirabai Bush (pictured) and so many others. It has been a privilege to work intimately with hundreds of people from around the world in my multiple roles with Seva.
Across the years, I represented Seva at more than 150 meetings at the World Health Organization, Ministries of Health, and global eye care conferences. In many cases I was responsible for crystalizing the key points for Seva and other institutions’ followup.
Twice in the course of my years with Seva I met a person just as they were receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. First, I met His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1989; in 2006 I met Prof Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank. This Seva-Aravind meeting with Grameen led to a long and productive partnership producing several eye hospitals and many vision centers in rural Bangladesh.
One of the longest-term training programs I have had the privilege of launching is the Seva-Aravind Eyexcel workshop: Excellence in Eye Care Training. Little did we know that this initial faculty would grow to strengthen in-hospital personnel training with 174 eye hospital teams across 29 countries. During COVID, our virtual methods radically increased the number of hospitals reached.
It was a thrill when Seva, Seva Canada and our mutual partner Kilimanjaro Center for Community Ophthalmology received the Antonio Champalimaud Award for Vision (a 1 million Euro cash prize). This photo taken in Lisbon, Portugal represents partnership and teamwork which are the hallmark of Seva’s work.
Surprises pop up frequently, including being surrounded by a bevy of Aravind hospital staff daughters. They are greeting me on my way to the stage to give the Dr G Venkataswamy Oration Award in 2016 on the 10th year of his passing. My talk reflected my nearly 30 years of close working and learning with Dr. V.
Novel visitors enrich Seva by stopping by the office. Here the Gyoto monks came to learn about Seva and how they could take part. They were fascinated by Seva’s blend of service, science and spirit and the many cultural and spiritual traditions found in our work around the world.
For decades, Seva Board meetings continued to bring together board, staff, partners, and volunteers for cross-fertilization of ideas and experiences across regions. Although complicated to plan and pull off, these larger, longer meetings stand out as among our most impactful across the decades. Here we are at Wavy Gravy’s Camp Winnarainbow in California.
Every year, for the past 20 years, eight of Seva’s women co-founders have gotten together for a retreat. This has been a very important part of sustaining my early connections and aspirations. This photo was taken just last year!
After working with Seva for 45 years, this group of people were my strongest impetus to retire. Husband Tim, our kids and their spouses, and three grandchildren under the age of 3 years! In retirement, I look forward to more relaxed, uninterrupted time with them while also pursuing my volunteer interests at home and around the world.
13 comments on “I Co-Founded Seva in 1978. This month, I retired.”
Suzanne, Congratulations on a well earned retirement and a life well lived. It has been my great honor to know you and be a part of Seva’s events for thirty years. Tho retired I manage to stay busy, mostly with travel, but still get called upon for one more show. I gotta admit I enjoy that. Enjoy the ride that retirement brings.
Randy Merten
What a magnificent life story Suzanne!
Congratulations on your retirement from Seva to continue your good works!
With love in spirit
Alan Lamb
Hi Suzanne. What a wonderful summary of your amazing life’s path. Loved reading it and remembering our connection over the years. Welcome to the “retired crowd” —it is actually quite wonderful to fully enjoy and participate in the busy lives of kids and grandkids. Congratulations Marcia
I am impressed with the service that You have provided & exemplifies what you have done for the world at large, with your dedication- So grateful.
Dear Suzanne,
Kuldeep told me about your retirement from Seva. It has been a great honour to know you through our little association. I must say that you have retired but not tired. Anyhow, Congratulations on your well-earned retirement and a fulfilling life. I am amazed by the service you have provided, and it represents what you have done for the world at large via your devotion.
After reading your blog on Seva page, you have such an incredible life story and outstanding job! I am quite appreciative.
I am of the opinion that if world’s one per cent population is like you then just imagine how population would be happy and free from life’s worries.
Warm Regards
Suresh
A beautiful presentation reflecting your years of service in helping grow SEVA into the phenomenal organization that it is.
Namaste,
Marcia Kelly
A wonderful summary of the journey travelled! Also it shows your determination and ability to envisage a better future through collaboration. Enjoy retirement and time with your beautiful family.
Hugs Daksha
Wonderful summary of your journey and thanks for all your support for eye care program in Nepal.
Pray to Almighty God for your prayer life
Congratulations! Thanks for your work, and thanks for a wonderful story for such an organization.
In Larry Brilliant’s book he talks about walking over narrow bridges in dangerous river zones in Bangladesh, on one of the final visits of the smallpox eradication program. He noted how one of his contacts said that when we pass forward, on our first journey in the afterlife, we will encounter similarly narrow and fearful bridges over a chasms where balance is necessary. At the end will be paradise, the reward of a life well-lived. If we fall, we fail. and return to suffering. Only the memory of our good deeds, our pure heart, and our connection with the Holy will balance and sustain us on that narrow footing during our final pilgrimage. Thanks for sharing the memories of your good deeds with us, and may they continue to sustain you.
What a truly fulfilling life you’ve led. You’ve inspired countless souls and illuminated the path for so many, guiding them with your wisdom and heart
What a beautiful sharing, Suzanne, it was always a privilege to engage with you and Seva.
Hi Dr. Suzanne Gilbert,
Wishing you well for a well earned retirement. It was in your destiny to have visited Nepal and the good you’ve done for blindness prevention and treatment. I read in your blog that you are still a volunteer. I’m Dr. Rajan Pradhan, a community ophthalmologist from India who has also worked in Nepal for two years with Dr YM Pradhan. I’ve not retired yet. My Rotarian friends wish to open a community eye centre in Darjeeling india, poorly served in eyecare but I don’t know how to go about raising funds. Would you help me?
Thank you.
Warm regards
RP