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Years ago, Christine McBennett, MSW, LSW, volunteered in a program helping people manage their mail. She would visit the homes of senior citizens and help them organize postal pieces, an experience she called “meeting people where they’re at.”  

That planted a seed. McBennett decided she enjoyed working with people in different environments and she wanted a career that would allow her to be out in the community helping those in need.  

And, she’ll do just that in her newest position, as a social worker helping patients at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center housed at The Eye Institute (TEI), which is the clinical facility of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Salus at Drexel University.  

McBennett, who started at the Feinbloom Center on Sept. 30, 2024, replaced Marcy Graboyes, LSW, MSW, ACSW, who retired in June 2024 after a 42-year career as a social worker at PCO and TEI. 

Before joining the Feinbloom Center staff, McBennett spent six and a half years at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.  

“I had referred patients to Feinbloom over the years and I had worked with Marcy Graboyes,” said McBennett. The Connecticut native completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland and graduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis. “I thought they did great work at Feinbloom and had a great reputation and that’s what prompted me to apply when the position became available,” she said.  

She said the transition into her new position — which includes going from working with people regarding eyecare  goals to working with patients on their functional goals — has gone smoothly thus far.  

“There is no medical intervention. The intervention is maximizing the patients’ functional vision,” said McBennett. “Helping people with the next step along their vision loss journey has been very rewarding.” 

 She mentioned that in social work, individuals have the opportunity to shape their own career path. In her view, the new position is a natural step forward in her career.  

“I want to help the doctors and the students tap into all the resources that are available to their patients and make it as easy as possible for patients to reach their individual goals as far as maximizing their independence,” said McBennett.  

Outside of her social work, McBennett is a passionate Phillies fan and enjoys participating in yoga. She also mentioned that she believes low-vision services, such as those provided at the Feinbloom Center, might be one of the best-kept secrets in the community.  

“Not everyone is aware of the benefits of having a low vision evaluation and how much it can help people experiencing vision loss,” said McBennett. “This is a great group to work with at Feinbloom. I’m also very much looking forward to working in the mobile clinic (Mobile Health Unit, formerly known as the Big Red Bus) as well out at schools.”