For Oracle Eye Physicians and Surgeons, supporting the arts has always been about more than placing an advertisement or sponsoring an event. It is part of a longstanding commitment to the Tucson community, and their belief that quality of life extends well beyond the walls of a doctor’s office.
The practice’s connection to the arts dates back to its founding in the late 1980s, when Dr. William J. Fishkind established the practice with a strong appreciation for Tucson’s arts community. Over the years, Oracle Eye Physicians & Surgeons has supported organizations and events across the arts community beyond the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, including Broadway in Tucson and what is now Art State Arizona (formerly the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance).
“We see it as an extension of what we provide to patients,” says Lydia Lansberry, the current chief executive officer of the practice. “We take care of their eyes but, at the same time, music helps the soul. We really enjoy that piece. We also love being involved in the community – anything we can do to support our local Tucson community; we try to have our fingers in the mix.”
That philosophy has grown into a particularly meaningful collaboration with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Oracle Eye Physicians & Surgeons sponsorship of the TSO began over a decade ago, and this year they have increased their support to become a presenting partner of the Masterworks Series concerts held at Catalina Foothills High School.
The partnership also gives their staff an opportunity to actively participate in the concert experience by hosting a table at concerts and connecting with audience members while experiencing the performances themselves. Those weekends have become some of the most anticipated events of the year for Oracle Eye Physician & Surgeons staff members.
“It’s the first event that they fight over to sign-up for,” Lansberry says with a laugh. “They get to see the symphony and the attendees, the majority of which are our patients. They just really enjoy those weekends.”
The partnership has continued to expand, with the practice supporting programs including the TSO’s Star Wars concert season finale in 2025-26 and pre-concert talks. For the practice, the relationship offers an opportunity to connect its mission of eye care with its commitment to the arts.
That mission also drives the practice’s extensive community outreach. Whether staff members are attending a symphony concert, a fine arts festival, or a health fair, they bring eye-care education with them. Their outreach can include demonstrations with a model eye, information about glasses and contacts, and education about procedures such as LASIK and other refractive surgeries.
“We try and take that education with us to our community events,” Lansberry says. “Our clinic staff can answer questions readily and talk about the importance of getting eye exams, getting your eyes dilated and understanding the impact your overall health can have on your eyes.”
At Oracle Eye Physicians & Surgeons, that commitment begins with a simple philosophy: sight is precious.
“You only get two eyes,” Lansberry says. “It’s our job to preserve sight as long as possible.”
Staying at the forefront of those advancements for the practice is ultimately about the same thing as community involvement: helping people maintain their quality of life.
The TSO partnership brings that philosophy full circle.
Employees have attended special concerts, including the annual Mexican Independence Day performance, turning professional partnership into a personal community experience. There may not be a single concert that stands out, but the pops concerts such as Star Wars have become a staff favorite, as well as the start of another Masterworks season.
Measuring the impact of an arts sponsorship is not always as simple as counting new patients or calculating a direct financial return. Instead, the practice hears from patients who recognize the organization at concerts or see its support of the symphony at local events. Those moments matter.
“It branches out to the bigger world rather than just the exam room,” Lansberry says. “It really helps to have that relationship with organizations like yours.”
The practice sees the local businesses and arts organizations as partners in creating a vibrant Tucson – one where residents can experience music, culture, healthcare and community without having to leave town to find them.
“Tucson can be a great draw for a lot of people,” Lansberry says. “Keeping that vital sense of the arts, the music, the sense of community of what we all love and know of Tucson benefits businesses across the board.”
Supporting the Tucson Symphony Orchestra is ultimately about seeing the bigger picture: caring for patients and supporting employees, while celebrating the arts and helping to create a thriving community where people can live well and enjoy life.
“We want Tucson to be a great local place to live. Everyone should have an impact on that.”