About BRREB

The Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank (BRREB) was established in 1976 as a community service to provide the highest quality eye tissue to local ophthalmologists for transplant surgery. Its founding was the inspiration of Sister Lilian Lynch, FMOL. BRREB is charged with the mission of public education about eye donation through workshops, health fairs and other community programs.

BRREB serves hospitals, doctors and patients in South Central regions of Louisiana. It is a fully accredited member of the Eye Bank Association of America. The Executive Director is Jamie H. Collier, BS, MA, CEBT. The Chairman of the Board and Medical Director is Thomas J. Heigle, MD.

About Baton Rouge Eye Bank

The Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank (BRREB) was established in 1976 as a community service to provide the highest quality eye tissue to local ophthalmologists for transplant surgery. Its founding was the inspiration of Sister Lilian Lynch, FMOL. BRREB is charged with the mission of public education about eye donation through workshops, health fairs and other community programs.

BRREB serves hospitals, doctors and patients in South Central regions of Louisiana. It is a fully accredited member of the Eye Bank Association of America. The Executive Director is Jamie H. Collier, BS, MA, CEBT. The Chairman of the Board and Medical Director is Thomas J. Heigle, MD.

How Can You Help?

REGISTER

Donate Life Louisiana’s collective mission and call to action is to create trust, save and enhance lives, and positively impact the number of Louisiana citizens in the donor registry through education, awareness and leadership.
Register

VOLUNTEER

The Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank proudly hosts, co-hosts and assists in many functions each year designed to educate, raise funds or thank the community from which recipients have been given another opportunity for sight.
Volunteer

GIVE

The Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that relies heavily on generous contributions from our community in order to supply the Greater Baton Rouge area and beyond with the precious gift of quality corneal tissue.
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Meet Our Board Members

Thomas J. Heigle, MD
Chair

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Dr. Thomas Heigle, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, graduated from Jesuit High School.  He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He then interned at Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans and completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute – University of Miami.  In 1996, he completed a fellowship in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery at Emory University.  He practiced at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute 1996 to 2000 before joining Eye Medical Center in 2000.
Dr. Heigle has served as Medical Director to the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank since 2005.  He is married with two children and resides in Baton Rouge.

Charles E. Afeman, MD

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Dr. Charles Afeman graduated from Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans in 1960.  He interned at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado and completed his residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans.  He joined Eye Medical Center in 1965.

He partnered with Sister Lilian’s earliest efforts as the formation of the Eye Bank evolved.  He served as Medical Director of the Eye Bank from 1975 to 2005.  He performed the first corneal transplant on March 9, 1976.  Dr. Afeman’s professional involvement spans over 30 years of dedicated oversight providing hands on technical and medical direction in all areas of this multidimensional program.

William "Beau" Clark, MD

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Dr. William “Beau” Clark is a native of Baton Rouge and graduated from St. Michael the Archangel High School. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University where he received his Bachelor of Science.  Next, he graduated from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans.  He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine in Baton Rouge and is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Clark was elected East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner in November 2011 and continues to practice emergency medicine at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Gonzales, LA.  Dr. Clark has served as Medical Director for the Louisiana State Police SWAT Team, Louisiana House of Representatives, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.

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Jamie H. Collier, BS, MA, CEBT - Executive Director

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Jamie Collier is Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank (BRREB). She earned her Master of Arts at Louisiana State University in physical anthropology and Bachelor of Science at Northwestern State University in biological science.
Jamie began her career in eye banking in February of 2005 and received certification as Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) in July of 2007 by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). Notably, Jamie has made significant contributions to the field by serving on the EBAA Board of Directors, Certification Board, Donor Development Task Force, Technician Education Committee, Governance Review Committee and CEBT Exam Committee (Chair). 
Jamie responds to the needs of local ophthalmologists to provide the highest quality tissue for transplant and participates in both public and professional educational endeavors. She also maintains a cooperative relationship with Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) to help facilitate organ, eye and tissue donation in Louisiana by serving on the LOPA Advisory Board and Donate Life Louisiana State Team.
 
Originally hailing from the New Orleans area, Jamie is a devoted wife and mother of three, balancing her professional achievements with her family life.
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Ernie Landry

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Ernie Landry graduated in accounting from Louisiana State University in 1977.  He was Comptroller for Nuclear Systems Inc. from 1980 – 1987.  He then served as CFO for Fifth Generation Systems, Inc. 1988 – 1994.  Mr. Landry is currently Administrator of Eye Medical Center since 1994.

He has served on the Board of Directors since 2002.  He is a native of White Castle, Louisiana married with three children.

Ginger Miller

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Ginger Miller served as Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank for more than 30 years and is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake Nursing College with years of clinical experience in various disciplines of healthcare.

Ginger received certification as an Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) in 1985 by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). She has served on the following EBAA committees:  Chairman of Exam for 6 years, CERT Board for 4 years, Accreditation for 6 years, EBAA Secretary for 4 years, Technical Education for 6 years and past President and Secretary of South Central Region for 6 years.  She received the prestigious Leonard Heise Award in 2001, an award for outstanding dedication, unswerving loyalty and leadership to the Eye Banking community.

During Ginger’s tenure she coordinated activities with the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) in public education and hospital in-services to facilitate organ and tissue donation.  She served on LOPA’s Advisory Board for 7 years.

Internationally, Ginger has worked tirelessly to educate the citizens of Honduras and Guatemala about the gift of sight.  She coordinated a ten-man team for a medical mission trip to Honduras in 1992.  Again in 1994 she accompanied an eleven-man team for a medical mission trip to Guatemala.  As a result, these very successful missions established viable eye donor programs that continue to serve the people of their countries.

In 2001- 2002, Ginger guided the Eye Bank as it transitioned from sponsorship of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center to an independent status.  The Eye Bank was renamed the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank and has enjoyed accelerated growth and recognition. Eye Bank service has remained steadfast due to Ginger’s dedication to excellence.

When given the opportunity to promote this valuable program in the Baton Rouge community, Ginger’s enthusiasm and commitment are always evident as she puts her dedication to work serving the Eye Bank.

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Daniel Nelson, MD

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Dr. Daniel Nelson is a Baton Rouge native.  After graduating Louisiana State University with a degree in biochemistry, he attained his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport. He then completed an internship at Earl K Long Hospital in Baton Rouge before moving on to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina to complete his residency in Ophthalmology. He moved back to Baton Rouge in 2015 and joined Eye Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in cornea and external diseases at Eye Medical Center in 2018.

He is married with three children and resides in Baton Rouge.

John Pastorek

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John has been a part of the WBRZ family since July 1977. During that time, he has held many titles including reporter, anchor and Director of News. Currently, John is the co-anchor for the popular morning show, 2une In. He is also the anchor of WBRZ News 2 Louisiana at Noon.

After graduating from Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge, John received his degree in journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism. He has received numerous Associated Press awards for features, documentaries and special medical reporting, as well as awards from the Louisiana State Medical Society and the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Society.

John joined the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank Board of Directors in 2002.  He resides in Baton Rouge with his wife Jackie O’Beirne-Pastorek.

Meet Our Staff

Jamie Collier, MA, CEBT - Executive Director

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Jamie Collier is Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank (BRREB). She earned her Master of Arts at Louisiana State University in physical anthropology and Bachelor of Science at Northwestern State University in biological science.
Jamie began her career in eye banking in February of 2005 and received certification as Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) in July of 2007 by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). Notably, Jamie has made significant contributions to the field by serving on the EBAA Board of Directors, Certification Board, Donor Development Task Force, Technician Education Committee, Governance Review Committee and CEBT Exam Committee (Chair). 
Jamie responds to the needs of local ophthalmologists to provide the highest quality tissue for transplant and participates in both public and professional educational endeavors. She also maintains a cooperative relationship with Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) to help facilitate organ, eye and tissue donation in Louisiana by serving on the LOPA Advisory Board and Donate Life Louisiana State Team.
 
Originally hailing from the New Orleans area, Jamie is a devoted wife and mother of three, balancing her professional achievements with her family life.

Julia Wallace, BA, CEBT - Quality Assurance Director

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Julia is a dedicated and experienced professional with a strong background in the field of eye care. With six years of valuable experience working at an eye surgery center, Julia gained valuable insights into the intricacies of eye health and restoration. In 2013, she took on the role of BRREB Development Director, where her exceptional skills in relationship building and community engagement shone through. 
In 2014, Julia achieved the milestone of becoming a Certified Eye Bank Technician (CEBT), showcasing her commitment to professional development and staying up-to-date with industry standards. During her time as the Development Director, Julia made significant contributions by expanding the volunteer base and establishing fruitful partnerships with donation partners, donor families, and community organizations.
Recognizing her exceptional abilities and dedication, Julia was appointed as the Quality Assurance Director in 2024. In this role, she continues to ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency within the organization.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Julia finds joy in her personal life. She is happily married and the proud mother of two children. Julia is an avid reader, constantly seeking knowledge and inspiration from various literary works. In her leisure time, she enjoys engaging in cross-stitching, solving sudoku puzzles, and taking care of her skin. Julia’s zest for life and diverse interests make her a well-rounded individual who brings passion and dedication to both her personal and professional pursuits.
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Dilan Patin, BS, CEBT - Technical Director

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Dilan Patin is the Technical Director at Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank (BRREB). He earned his Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University in biochemistry.

Dilan began his career in September of 2017 as a BRREB Recovery Technician and received his certification as Eye Bank Technician (CEBT) in October of 2019. As Technical Director, Dilan is responsible for all clinical operations at BRREB. He supervises and manages all clinical staff, evaluates eye tissue for the purposes of transplantation, medical education, and research, and distributes the eye tissue to corneal surgeons around the globe.

Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, this “true blooded Cajun” hopes to pursue a future in eye care as an Ophthalmologist.

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Melissa St. Pierre - Development Director

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Melissa St. Pierre is the Development Director of the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank (BRREB). She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at Southeastern Louisiana University in Accounting. Her vast cumulative professional experience spans over 35 years and affords and enhances the importance of the various roles of this position while her personal experience provides an incredibly unique perspective.
Melissa’s own journey that she openly shares as a bilateral cornea transplant recipient allows her to live each day with passion and purpose as she is beyond excited to expand the mission, advocacy, fundraising, and outreach of the organization. She maintains relationships between BRREB and physicians, health care providers, coroner’s investigators, and funeral home personnel. She is also active in community education through health fairs, schools, churches, and community and civic organizations. In addition, as an advocate for eye, tissue, and organ donation, she is an effective, energetic, dynamic, and compassionate communicator who continuously welcomes opportunities for speaking engagements, podcasts, and content creation. She also plays a vital role in cultivating and fostering relationships with donor families as well as transplant recipients and the Visionaries Volunteer Group.
 Melissa has deep seated roots in Louisiana and is married with one daughter. In her spare time, she loves boating, fishing, reading, crafting, decorating, and hosting/planning events. Most importantly as she has gained her Life & Vision back, she is determined to make a difference each day and provide “Sunshine” where it may be lacking.
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Tyler Wood - Laboratory Manager

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Tyler Wood is the Laboratory Manager  and has a passion for health and wellness. Originally hailing from the picturesque state of Utah, he embarked on a life-changing journey and relocated to Louisiana in 2020. Tyler is not only a professional in the laboratory setting but also a loving family man.
Married to the best person, Tyler shares his life with his wonderful spouse and is a proud father to two boys. Their family dynamic is completed by the presence of two furry companions, making their home a lively and joyful place. Beyond the confines of the laboratory, Tyler’s heart lies in spending quality time with his family.
A fitness enthusiast, Tyler enjoys running and working out to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. He finds solace in the pages of books and has a penchant for travel, exploring new places with his loved ones. One of his favorite pastimes is swimming with his boys, creating cherished memories in the water.
Tyler is well-qualified in the field of health sciences, holding a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Utah. Furthering his education, he earned a Doctor of Chiropractic from the Southern California University of Health Sciences. 
With a diverse skill set, a passion for family, and a commitment to health and education, Tyler stands as a testament to the multifaceted nature of his character and contributions to the community.

FAQs

An eye bank is an agency staffed with trained medical professionals who recover, evaluate, process and distribute eye tissue for surgical, research and educational purposes, using strict medical guidelines. Standards for eye banking in the United States are rigidly enforced by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The cornea is a clear surface on the front of the eye, much like the crystal on your watch. It is the main focusing element of the eye and light must pass through it in order to have sight. If it becomes cloudy or scarred from disease, injury, infection or other cause, vision is dramatically reduced or completely lost. A corneal transplant is recommended by an ophthalmologist.

It is a surgical procedure in which a disc-shaped segment of the injured cornea is replaced with a similar segment of a healthy, donor cornea. Over 97% of all corneal transplants successfully restore the recipient’s vision.

Transplant tissue comes from only one precious source – an eye donor. Thoughtful and caring people or their families may choose to donate eye tissue at the time of death. As of now, there is no synthetic material suitable for corneal tissue; therefore, only living corneal tissue from a recently deceased donor can be used for transplant.

Nearly anyone can be an eye donor regardless of age or poor eyesight. Aside from those suffering from infections or a few highly communicable diseases such as HIV or hepatitis, most people are eligible donors.

Donated eye tissue and the donor’s medical history are evaluated extensively by BRREB, in accordance with strict medical standards set forth by the EBAA and FDA. Extensive blood testing and careful training of laboratory personnel ensure the safety of all surgical tissue.

No, only the cornea and segments of sclera can be transplanted. Scleral tissue comes from the outer white portion of the eye and is used for certain glaucoma procedures and reconstructive surgery. However, whole eyes are very important for research and education. Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, diabetes complications and other sight disorders help find new treatments and cures.

Corneas should be recovered as soon as possible after death, preferably within 12 hours of the death. Ideally, transplantation is performed within a week.

Great care is taken to preserve the natural appearance of the donor. Funeral arrangements with viewing if desired, may take place without delay.

All major religious faiths support organ, eye and tissue donation, viewing it as an opportunity to give the gift of life and sight.

There is absolutely no charge to the family or estate of the donor for the donation process. All costs associated with eye recovery are charged to the eye bank.

The gift of sight is made and received anonymously. However, most eye banks encourage and convey anonymously written notes between recipients and donor families. Although the process is anonymous, if the donor family and recipient wish to connect, we are happy to facilitate communication.

Learn more on our resources page. 

No. Strict laws and legal guidelines must be followed before death can be certified. The physician certifying the patient’s death can in no way be involved with recovery or transplantation.

Louisiana’s Anatomical Gift Act allows you to consent for yourself. You can register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at the Office of Motor Vehicles or online. Let family members know about your decision to become a donor, allowing them to support your decision.

View our EBBA Accreditation and FDA Registration