When Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow (KTG), and Helene Dameris, KTG’s Director of Global Outreach, met over Zoom with Dr. Basil Williams and Dr. Maura Di Nicola, they were immediately struck by the doctors’ shared dedication to improving pediatric eye care. As respected ocular oncologists based at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Drs. Williams and Di Nicola bring not only clinical expertise but also a clear, compassionate vision for expanding access to care for children around the world.
The two physicians met during their fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital, where they trained under the mentorship of Drs. Carol and Jerry Shields, leaders in the field of ocular oncology. Those early years shaped both their professional paths and their lasting commitment to retinoblastoma care. Their bond with the Shields and the values they absorbed during their fellowship continue to guide their collaborative efforts today.
With personal roots extending from Dr. Di Nicola’s Italian background to Dr. Williams’ Caribbean heritage, their outlook has always included an international dimension. They have remained deeply engaged with the Caribbean and Latin American medical communities through organizations such as the Ophthalmological Society of the West Indies and the Pan-American Ocular Oncology Society. Their work focuses on developing sustainable systems to ensure earlier diagnosis and better access to treatment, particularly in regions where medical resources are limited and awareness remains low.
During the conversation, they shared examples of how children in the Caribbean may be diagnosed at late stages due to delays in referral and limitations in resources. They emphasized the importance of engaging not only families, but also primary care providers—including pediatricians, general practitioners, and nurses—to ensure timely identification and referral of suspected cases.
Their goals closely align with the evolution of KnowTheGlow’s mission. While KTG began as a campaign to raise awareness among parents, it has grown into a broader effort that includes healthcare professionals, educators, and technologists. Megan spoke about the need to incorporate digital tools such as AI-based platforms and mobile applications to help communities, especially in remote areas, access accurate health information.
KTG was excited to learn that Dr. Di Nicola is working on improving patient education using digital platforms. She is currently researching ways to integrate large language models into patient-facing resources to ensure families receive trustworthy, easy-to-understand information during an emotionally difficult time.
The conversation also explored other innovations in research and technology happening currently. Dr. Williams mentioned that the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is in the process of becoming part of a liquid biopsy study led by Dr. Jesse Berry, which may offer new possibilities for help with non-invasive diagnoses. The group discussed additional tools, such as the Arclight diagnostic device and a glow-detection app being developed by Maria Manquez in Chile, a nation KTG is preparing to reach with outreach later in 2025, as practical aids for early identification of eye disease in low-resource areas.
The dedication of Dr. Di Nicola and Dr. Williams to early detection and education extends into their own community in Miami, where they are supporting local outreach in Little Haiti and Allapattah through Project 33136. Dr. Williams described how geocoded health data can help identify areas of highest need and allow for targeted interventions that bring care closer to home.
Megan and Helene were particularly moved by the doctors’ emphasis on storytelling and human connection. Sharing patient journeys, using high-quality images to illustrate symptoms, and building patient networks across borders can all help increase awareness and empower families to seek care earlier. The group discussed ways to connect with families across the Caribbean and South America to strengthen these efforts.
Dr. Williams and Dr. Di Nicola exemplify the kind of thoughtful, compassionate leadership that KnowTheGlow values deeply. Their shared commitment to education, equity, and early intervention is helping bring life-saving awareness and care to children who need it most. Together, KnowTheGlow and the team at Bascom Palmer are building a framework for collaboration, co-developing educational content, and amplifying outreach across the regions where it can make the greatest impact.
