Our Founder

Jerry Jenks, O.D.

Winston Churchill said, “We earn a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

Describes Dr. Jenks, “In my college geriatric rotations I saw that many facilities had difficulty obtaining consistent and timely eye care services for their residents. This was troubling to me, because I knew unaddressed vision issues increase residents’ fall risk, social isolation, cognitive decline, and assistance needed from facility staff. I founded Outreach Eye Care 42 years ago because I knew I could make a difference. My goal was to break down the barriers that prevent persons with physical and behavioral challenges from receiving vital eye health services.”

Dr. Jenks is a second-generation optometrist and was born and raised in the Kansas City, Missouri area. He attended the University of Missouri in Columbia for his undergraduate requirements and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN in 1975. He has served his local community through Rotary International, the Lions Club, Boy Scouts of America, Masonic Lodge, and the United Methodist Church.

He enjoys traveling, playing golf, fishing, reading and spending time with his family and especially being “Pepa” for his five grandsons and one granddaughter.