If viewing rounds and unable to connect through Zoom, please contact: Patrick Donegan, MD at patrick-donegan@uiowa.edu
Friday, March 28, 2025
Submitted by Melissa Monhollon-
NEW ATTENDANCE POLICY EFFECTIVE 4/1/25
A friendly reminder that University of Iowa Health Care is implementing a new attendance policy effective 4/1/25.
The policy is available for review on PolicyTech under “Time & Attendance” at the following link: Time and Attendance v.1. The policy applies to all UI Health Care staff, except weekend option employees (who follow the SNAHP manual) and faculty (whose attendance expectations are set by the UIP).
Between now and next week, we strongly encourage staff to review this article on the Loop as well as these FAQs to familiarize yourself with the policy expectations. If you haven’t already, please also consider attending a virtual or in-person training session: Attendance Policy Training for Employees (Non-Supervisors) | UI Compliance & Qualifications
If you have any questions about the new attendance policy, please contact Melissa Monhollon or Kristin Swanke.
The ARVO Annual Meeting is coming up, taking place May 4-8 in Salt Lake City. Click Here to view the current list of UI participants that was pulled from the online meeting planner for those registered under “University of Iowa” "University of Iowa Health Care” or “University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics” as well as those that have been sent to me. If you do not see your information, please send me your title(s), and any other information you may have — date, time, location, or a link to the program listing. A branded list will be created and shared via the Ophthalmology Update leading up to the meeting.
The department will also be hosting an Iowa Eye Alumni Reception on Monday, May 5 from 5:30 to 8 pm at Soundwell Studio, located at 149 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, Utah.
If you are planning to attend, please be sure to RSVP!
Questions? Contact Matt Browning, matt-browning@uiowa.edu
Congratulations to Drs. Ian Han and Elliott Sohn on their recent endowments!
Dr. Ian Han is now the Judith (Gardner) and Donald H. Beisner, M.D. Professor in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery.
Dr. Elliott Sohn is now the Chair in Diabetic Retinopathy Research.
Submitted by Francie Williamson-
This week we celebrated Greg Schmidt’s silver anniversary at Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Congratulations on 25 years, Greg! Your commitment, dedication, and passion to ILEB, research, distribution, and the overall world of eye banking, has transformed challenges into opportunities and your hard work is commendable.
We had an incredible team representing the department at the recent North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ.
Drs. Edward Linton, Brett Johnson (Sr. Application Developer), and Chief Resident Cy Lewis, demonstrated the VR Atlas of the Eye, showcasing the advantages of 3D optic nerve visualization and how it can enhance learning and teaching about optic disease.
Dr. Randy Kardon received this year’s William F. Hoyt Lecture Award! Dr. Kardon presented his talk, “Ophthalmology in the Blink of an Eye!” at the AAO Annual Meeting last October in Chicago.
Dr. Leigh Rettenmaier (incoming faculty – July 2025) received the James A. Sharpe Best Abstract by a Fellow-in-Training for her presentation, "Prevalence and Clinical Features of Spinocerebellar Ataxia 27B in Patients with Idiopathic Downbeat Nystagmus at a Tertiary Care Center".
A research team, led by Dr. Mark Greiner, is developing ubiquinol eye drops to prevent vision loss caused by Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.
Learn more about Dr. Greiner and his team's work here.
Thank you to all that attended last week's Glaucoma Clinical Conference with Dr. Anne Coleman of UCLA as the Mansour F. Armaly Lecturer, hosted by Dr. Erin Boese!
Dr. Coleman presented two engaging lectures, "Has Risk Profiling Improved?" and "Optic Disc Hemorrhages", plus case presentations with discussion and Q&A from Chief Resident Bilal Ahmed, MD, Patrick Donegan, MD (PGY3), and Andrew Zolot, MD (glaucoma fellow).
Upcoming Clinical Conferences:
Following the clinical conference, our glaucoma team hosted the 2025 Midwest MIGS Wet Lab.
Excerpt from article-
Dr. Ian Han, director of retina service at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa, said some people with the condition (autosomal dominant neovascular inflammatory vitreoretinopathy, or ADNIV) are mildly impacted while others have severe issues.
“Within our families… we have some kids who lose vision very early on, even with the best treatment available… then you have other family members who are 80 years old and see really decently well,” said Han.
The U of Iowa is one of the world’s largest centres that studies how inherited diseases impact the eyes. He said members of four families (about 65 people) have been diagnosed there with the rare disease since the 1960s.
“The most important part of this condition is the diagnosis,” said Han. “Because it’s so rare, that it’s easy to not know what’s going on.”
He said most genetic conditions are “autosomal recessive,” which means genetic variants are needed on both sets of the parents’ DNA. Autosomal dominant conditions, like ADNIV, only require a variant from one set of DNA. For this reason, there’s a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the disease.
"He’s not alone in this,” said Han of Oaklin. “He’s rare, but not alone.”
Submitted by Dr. Pavlina Kemp-
The Office of Graduate Medical Education would like to inform there are two weeks left until the submission deadline of April 8.
Please consider developing and submitting a new clinical education initiative application. Each year we receive very creative proposals addressing a wide array of challenges. All innovation projects focused on enhancing GME will be considered, and the Selection Committee is particularly interested to receive proposals addressing these special focus areas:
This is a competitive process, and proposals will be evaluated on clarity, feasibility, potential impact, and collaboration. Brief applications will require:
Funding guidelines include:
Please share this opportunity with others who can help your program craft a compelling proposal. Resident and Fellow Physicians and Clinical Faculty are encouraged to collaborate and apply; all proposals must include Program Director endorsement.
Cross-Specialty innovations are encouraged. We look forward to seeing where your creativity will take us.
Submitted by Chelle Lehman-
Iowa KidSight will be hosting a 25th Anniversary Open House at our office on the afternoon of April 4th from 2:00 - 4:00. This will be followed by our medical advisory board meeting that evening at 4:30.
We would like to cordially invite the Department of Ophthalmology. We will also be extending invitations to our Lions Club volunteers across the state, families who have been impacted by Iowa KidSight, former staff, our medical advisory board members, and our community partners.
Submitted by Dr. Dina Blanc-
If you have an idea about ways of making open-source training materials for Ophthalmology learners accessible, consider applying for an OPEN HAWKS grant. This grant is open to faculty, learners, and staff and supports efforts to enhance learning and training with resources that are free of cost, low-barrier, and which are legally open to public use. Open Hawks is holding an information session on the grants on Tuesday, March 11th.
Grant submissions are due on April 25. Click this link for the application.
Ophthalmology's departmental staff are here to help:
Submitted by Tonya Looker-
WELLNESS TALK | MOVEMENT AT WORK
Live Healthy Iowa Lunchtime Activity
Contact Ophthalmology IT
Please use these contact methods helps us prioritize your request:
Phone: 78107
Email: OphthIT@healthcare.uiowa.edu
ESC Portal: https://service.healthcare.uiowa.edu (New to ESC? Learn how to submit a help desk ticket)
Submitted by Kristin Kirpes-
POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN THE DEPARTMENT
Administrative Services Coordinator - Retina Service | Req #25001716
The Administrative Services Coordinator (ASC) – Retina serves as the liaison between patients and the Retina-Vitreous Specialty Service while collaborating with external resources to manage patients requiring complex vitreoretinal surgical procedures and intraocular tumors. The ASC - Retina assists vitreoretinal surgeons in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, provides complex administrative support for the Retina Fellowship Program, organizes Retina Fellowship for the service with four, 2-year fellows and one to two, 1-year fellow(s) recruitment/placement, and oversees the fellowship process from beginning to end. This position also performs complex administrative and financial assistance for retina research and grants, requiring contact with directors, department heads, upper level executives, public and private officials, along with the general public, patients/families, faculty, and staff and assists with obtaining imaging and medical records for patients with complex retinal tumors and/or additional patient populations to ensure that information is available for physicians to provide excellent patient care.
Clinic Services Specialist - Ophthalmology | Req #24005687
The Clinic Services Specialist schedules patient appointments/inquiries for the Department of Ophthalmology for multiple sub clinics and ensures that patients are scheduled to the right department based on their urgency. Ensures the correct visit types, provider, date, length of visit, and time are utilized. Schedules into the appropriate timeframe in alignment with requested plan of care, urgency and desired appointment date. Ensures appropriate appointment prerequisites are completed and obtained. Responsible for maintaining the Patient and Referral Work queues and assigning responsibilities among employees to ensure that these work queues are completed in a timely and accurate manner. Monitors progress of work queues and reports any issues and concerns to administration. Coordinates all necessary preparatory tests and obtains records to maximize the efficiency of the visit. Informs patient of their visit specific preparatory instructions and ensures notification about their upcoming appointments via their communication method of choice. Follows the appropriate workflows to confirm the patient is financially secured for their visit. Anticipates the needs of the patient and serves as a patient advocate. Assists and problem solves any scheduling issues that arise. Uses independent judgement in determining how to assist patient requests outside of the scope of scheduling. Upholds the department's best practices, quality, and professionalism standards and policies. Serves as a mentor, coach, role model, and service excellence ambassador for staff, co-workers, patients, and visitors. May complete special projects for the department. May attend clinic or department meetings to serve as a scheduling content expert. May perform other duties as assigned.
Clinical Trials Research Associate - Ophthalmology | Req #25001561
University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, is seeking a full time Clinical Trials Research Associate (PRV2; 4A). The Clinical Trials Research Associate coordinates the performance of clinical research by managing subject recruitment, scheduling, and enrollment of study subjects, administering study protocols, overseeing data processing and management, maintaining compliance with regulatory guidelines and documents, gathering information and assisting in the preparation of material for inclusion in reports and publication for the University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and performing leadership and financial responsibilities as indicated.
Ophthalmic Clinical Specialist I performs technical and diverse optical testing as a portion of the complete ocular exam, in addition to obtaining patient histories, meds and allergies for the supervising physician. This position will work an 8 hour shift between the hours of 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences intends to hire at either the Ophthalmic Technician, non-COA certified classification, or Ophthalmic Clinical Specialist I, COA certified classification, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Please indicate in your application materials the position you wish to be considered for or indicate both.
Ophthalmology Clinic Supervisor | Req #25002620
The Ophthalmology Clinic Supervisor provides leadership, education and training for all certified and non-certified ophthalmic technicians and scribes in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, facilitates intervention of difficult/complex and/or triage situations in consultation with clinic leadership manages processes for clinic equipment repair and reporting, receives and re-stocks clinic supply orders, and utilizes specialized knowledge, practice, and expertise to dictate provider room utilizations and clinic flow with a high visibility and interaction with ophthalmic technicians, faculty, and staff.
Orthoptist ($5,000 Sign-On Incentive for hires new to UI) | Req #24005227
The Orthoptist provides direct patient care by performing sensorimotor testing, evaluating and treating eye movement disorders and binocular vision, participating in the evaluation and diagnosis of patients with amblyopia, diplopia, genetic disorders of the eye, pediatric and adult strabismus, and other eye movement conditions. The Orthoptist also assists in coordinating and educating fellows, residents, orthoptic students, and doctors who rotate through the services, participates in clinical research into eye movement disorders, diplopia, strabismus, nystagmus, and inherited eye disorders, and serves as a liaison between the ophthalmology clinics and other areas in the Department of Ophthalmology and other clinics throughout the hospital.
We are also recruiting for multiple faculty positions. Direct links to these postings are available here: https://jobs.uiowa.edu/jobSearch/faculty/
| Schedule Subject to Change | |||
| Mon | Mar 31 | 8:00 AM | Pediatric Ophthalmology Faculty Applicant |
| Tue | Apr 1 | 7:00 AM | BCSC: Dr. Chris Sales |
| Wed | Apr 2 | 8:00 AM | On call rounds |
| Thu | Apr 3 | 7:30 AM | Dr. Nasreen Syed Pathology Series |
| Fri | Apr 4 | 8:00 AM | Paige Noble, MD, PGY2 |
| Schedule Subject to Change | |||
| Mon | Apr 7 | 8:00 AM | On-call rounds |
| Tue | Apr 8 | 7:00 AM | BCSC: Dr. Kanwal Matharu |
| Wed | Apr 9 | 8:00 AM | Dr. Markus Kuehn (Research Talk) |
| Thu | Apr 10 | 8:00 AM | Dr. Michael Paley - Washington University (Virtual) |
| Fri | Apr 11 | 8:00 AM | Clinical Conference: Comprehensive - Wolfe Foundation Lecture |
*Indicates rounds intended specifically for residents, fellows and orthoptic students
If viewing rounds and unable to connect through Zoom, please contact: Patrick Donegan, MD at patrick-donegan@uiowa.edu
Ophthalmology Morning Rounds is held from 8:00 am - 8:45 am in the Braley Auditorium (01136), Pomerantz Family Pavilion / Zoom.
UI Health Care Medical Center | UI Carver College of Medicine | Institute for Vision Research
Copyright © 2019 - All Rights Reserved - The University of Iowa
CME ACCREDITATION: The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME CREDIT DESIGNATION: The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
SPONSORED BY: The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.
CONTENT: Determination of educational content for this educational activity and the selection of speakers and facilitators are responsibilities of the activity director. Any commercial firms providing financial support did not have input in these areas.
DISCLOSURE POLICY: Everyone in a position to control the content of this educational activity will disclose to the CME provider and to attendees all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. They will also disclose if any pharmaceuticals or medical procedures and devices discussed are investigational or unapproved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
TARGET AUDIENCE: Faculty, residents, fellows.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES: Upon participating in this educational series, the participant should be able to discuss interesting and challenging clinical cases in a didactic and interactive format.
CME CREDIT AND ATTENDANCE: Captured by self-texting a 5-digit activity code to 319-519-0048. The code is provided each day during Rounds. Before texting your attendance for the first time, you will need to text your Uiowa.edu email address to 319-519-0038. For questions, contact matt-browning@uiowa.edu.