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Monday, July 22, 2024

 

Iowa Vision Now Available

The latest issue of Iowa Vision is now available!

Catch up on news from the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Iowa Vision Cover

Resident and Fellow Graduation Photos Now Available

The Resident and Fellow Graduation photo album is now available. Photos can be downloaded and saved directly from the album.

Photography by: Brobphoto Visuals

Graduation photo album cover

Upcoming Events

calendar
  • Midwest Eye Research Symposium: Friday, August 9
  • Clinical Conference: Oculoplastics: Friday, September 20
  • Iowa Eye Alumni Reception @ AAO: Friday, October 18 at VU Rooftop - Chicago, IL

Orthoptics Graduation

Last Friday we celebrated the University of Iowa Orthoptic Fellowship Program class of 2024.

The University of Iowa Orthoptic Fellowship program began in 1955 and is now the longest running orthoptic program in the United States. The program is currently directed by Tara Bragg, Wanda Pfeifer, and Xiaoyan Shan with Dr. Arlene Drack as medical director.

Our 2024 Graduate are:

  • Shayna Houdashelt
  • Amanda Pfeifer
Wanda Pfeifer, Shayna Houdashelt, Tara Bragg, Amanda Pfeifer, Dr. Arlene Drack, Xiaoyan Shan

Shayna came to the program after graduating with a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo. Shayna will be returning to Ohio to a private practice clinic.

      

Amanda received her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa. Amanda is currently in job negotiations.

      

Over the past 24 months, Shayna and Amanda have worked countless hours in the Pediatric Ophthalmology clinic learning to assess and treat patients with binocular vision disorders. Their training was enhanced through rotations in neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric genetic, and optometric clinics. A special thank you goes out to all the staff and faculty who have helped train our past, present, and future students.

Zachary Richards, MD

Congratulations, Shayna and Amanda!


Iowa Eye Annual Meeting | Recap

View Album

Iowa Eye Annual Meeting album
Thank you to Francie Williamson from ILEB for providing photography support at this year's meeting!

View 2024 meeting program

Ophthalmologists and alumni from across the country returned to Iowa City for the 2024 Iowa Eye Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion. The meeting featured a fantastic program of distinguished speakers and stimulating talks, plus an inaugural surgical video competition. Attendees were invited to submit a 3-minute narrated interesting case video, followed by a live audience vote.

SURGICAL VIDEO COMPETITION

Winner: Rupak Bhuyan, MD - "Wrong Place, Wrong Tine"

Iowa Eye golf tournament

On Friday evening, attendees enjoyed the alumni reception and banquet at the Courtyard by Marriott. The evening's entertainment featured "Iowa's Family Game Night," hosted by Dr. Ian Han.

Iowa Eye Annual Meeting album
Iowa Eye Annual Meeting album
Iowa Eye Annual Meeting album

Saturday was dedicated to social activities, beginning with an alumni and friends brunch at City Park. Following the brunch, attendees could choose between a guided tour at the UI Stanley Museum of Art or a round of golf at Finkbine Golf Course.

Iowa Eye Annual Meeting album
Iowa Eye Annual Meeting album
Iowa Eye Annual Meeting album

GOLF TOURNAMENT

Submitted by Dr. Stephen Russell

  • T(ie) 1 Ryan Diel, Patrick Donegan, Marshall Henrie, Oladipupu Anibire (66)
  • T1 Michael Howcroft, Steve Russell, Ian Han, Terry Riley (Jan)
  • T3 Keith Carter, Lee Alward, Randy Kardon, Ryan Burlison (Chau Pham)
  • T3 Chris Sales, McKenzie Krehbiel, Simran Sarin, Matt Kigin
  • 5 Brian Privett, Mark Wilkinson, K Matharu, G.S. Matharu, Taariq Mohammad
  • Long Drive Hole 11 – Patrick Donegan
  • Closest to the Hole 4 – Marshall Henrie
  • Closest to the Hole 13 – Matt Kigin
Iowa Eye golf tournament
Iowa Eye golf tournament
Iowa Eye golf tournament
Iowa Eye golf tournament
Iowa Eye golf tournament
Iowa Eye golf tournament

Thank you to all who attended and those who made this meeting possible! Be sure to mark your calendars for next year's Iowa Eye Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion, taking place June 12-14, 2025. We will be commemorating the department's centennial with a variety of events!


Iowa Lions Eye Bank | Update

Submitted by Francie Williamson-

Each year, the Iowa City Lions Club hosts Swing for Sight, a golf tournament featuring former Hawkeye Football and NFL star Tim Dwight. The tournament raises funds for Iowa KidSight and Iowa Lions Eye Bank.

This year, ILEB staffers Adam Stockman, Greg Schmidt, Kip Hoffman and Tim Eggleston participated in the tournament, and our partner Stephens Instruments sponsored a hole.


Global Hawkeyes Corner

Submitted by Dr. Kanwal Matharu-

Global Hawkeyes

We will be sharing updates from the work of our global ophthalmology division in a new segment of our newsletter called "Global Hawkeyes Corner".

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UPCOMING EVENTS

  • August 17, 2024: HawkEYES for All Community Health Fair at South of 6 Iowa City
    This initiative aims to provide free screenings to all ages within our community. In collaboration with KidSight, we will be able to screen for amblyopia, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Community members of all ages will also be able to have a routine vision exam at this event. Stay tuned for more information on this initiative and an upcoming call for volunteers for the August 17 event!

Please reach out to Dr. Matharu or Dr. Hendricks with any further comments or questions!


Midwest Eye Research Symposium 2024 Registration Now Open

Submitted by Dr. Markus Kuehn-

The Midwest Eye Research Symposium registration is now open!

MERS is a day-long celebration of vision research conducted at the University of Iowa and a chance to show off our achievements to attendees from our peer institutions. This is an excellent chance for your trainees, fellows, post-docs to formally present their work. The event is sponsored by our department and registration for students associated with Ophthalmology is free. Registration is encouraged because we need to know how many lunches to provide.

I would also like to remind you that the MERS keynote speaker, Dr. Len Levin, MD PhD (McGill University) has agreed to also give a clinically themed lecture at Rounds on the day of the meeting (August 9th, 2024). Dr. Levin is the 2023 ARVO Weisenfeld Award recipient, and he is a very engaging speaker. I promise this will be worth attending.

Check out the meeting web page for the schedule of events and for information on registration/abstract submission. Abstract submission closes on August 1.

Friday, August 9, 2024
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Medical Education Research Facility
8:15 am to 5 pm

More information and registration

MERS 2024

UI Optical | Back to School Sale - August

Submitted by Molly Bell-

Save 20% on eyewear in August during UI Optical’s "Back to School" sale! Shop sale prices on frames and lenses at UI Health Care–Iowa River Landing in Coralville.

For more information, please visit uihc.org/eyewear-ui-optical.

UI Optical Back to School Sale sale

REGISTER TODAY | Clinical Conference: Oculoplastics – Sept. 20

September 20, 2024 | Oculoplastics - REGISTER TODAY

8 a.m. to Noon

Featured Speaker: Wendy W. Lee, MD, MS
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Oculoplastics
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Host: Erin M. Shriver, MD, FACS

Dr. Wendy Lee earned her medical degree from Tulane University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Master of Science degree from Georgetown University. She completed her residency and internship at Tulane University, and a fellowship in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Dr. Lee treats a broad spectrum of oculoplastic disorders, including periocular tumors, infection and inflammation, facial trauma, tearing, and eyelid malpositions. In addition, Dr. Lee provides aesthetic services, including ptosis surgery; blepharoplasty; brow and forehead lifts; botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, and photorejuvenation.

Dr. Lee dedicates time to teaching and is co-director of UM Cosmetic Medicine. Her research interests include eyelid reconstruction, aging of the eyelid skin, and aesthetic lasers.


Resident and Fellow Pager Guide

Zachary Richards, MD

This document can also be found and downloaded from the top menu bar of the Ophthalmology Update under the 'Residents & Fellows' tab.


Wellness Corner

Submitted by Tonya Looker-

JULY WELLNESS UPDATES

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Wondr Health

Online Program through by Wondr Health

Wondr Health is a 100% digital weight management program that focuses on lifestyle behavior changes to meet the needs employees with on-the-go lifestyles and a 24/7 work environment. This program can be done anytime, anywhere.

You will be guided through weekly lessons and encouraged to practice skills to increase physical activity, eat mindfully, manage weight, reduce stress, get more sleep, increase energy, and more. Watch lessons at the convenience of your computer, tablet or smartphone.

In addition to the weekly lessons, you will have access to tools to track your progress and find inspiration. Stay connected through WondrLinkTM, the online community where participants connect to share ideas, successes, and encouragement.

APPLY NOW


Geek Speak

Geek Speak

New Ophthalmology All-Staff Distribution List

Due to no longer having the ability to manage the Ophthalmology All Staff email distribution list, HCIS has created a new mailing list for us called: Ophthalmology Staff (OphthStaff@healthcare.uiowa.edu) that will continue to be managed internally.

Please use this new email moving forward to ensure the most up to date employee list is reached.

NEW – Please use: OphthStaff@healthcare.uiowa.edu
OLD – Do not use:  OphthalmologyAllStaff@healthcare.uiowa.edu


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)


Department Job Postings | Current Available Positions

Submitted by Melissa Monhollon-

POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN THE DEPARTMENT

Clinical Trials Research Assistant or Associate - Ophthalmology | Req #24002901

Primary responsibilities of the Clinical Trials Research Assistant (PRV1; 3A) position include assisting faculty with clinical trial research activities, screening, recruiting, enrolling and obtaining informed consent for clinical trials, collecting clinical and research data for scheduled trial activities, preparing regulatory submissions for new projects, modifications, renewals and close out processes, interacting and collaborating with study specific research team members, and communicating with departmental finance and research administrators progress reports for clinical trial contracts, budgets, and reconciliations.

Primary responsibilities of the Clinical Trials Research Associate (PRV2; 4A) position include performing and overseeing execution, administration and maintenance of study protocols and clinical trial studies, assisting and advising in study design and protocol development/providing input into descriptions of complex research procedures, recruiting potential study participants via known registries and applicable clinics, independently designing, developing, testing and maintaining clinical research trials data systems, managing and monitoring compliance of regulatory guidelines and proper maintenance of documents; preparing regulatory submissions, providing functional oversight of assigned research students, research team members and support staff, demonstrating the ability to maintain clinical trial spreadsheets, recording maintenance to close out trial activities, managing regulatory issue to reflect the sponsor's protocol, and following contractual budget and applying organizational tools for protocol accountability and invoicing.


HR Associate - Ophthalmology | Req #24003325

The HR Associate provides guidance and HR support to staff, faculty and leadership in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. HR support includes, but is not limited to, the coordination of talent acquisition and onboarding, compliance monitoring, transaction processing, and personnel file maintenance.


Clinic Services Specialist - Ophthalmology (University Campus) | Req #24003139

The Clinic Services Specialist (PVL2; 3A) 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 departments 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.


Ophthalmic Photographer II (CRA or non CRA certified) - University Campus | Req #24002422

University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, is seeking a 100% Ophthalmic Photographer II (PT38; 45) to perform ophthalmic diagnostic photography and all other aspects of clinical teaching and research imaging as well as to assist in the design and implementation of the imaging aspects of research in ophthalmology.


Ophthalmic Professional I – Oculoplastics/Ophthalmology Procedure Suite | Req #24003632

The Ophthalmic Professional will assist in and aid in coordination of the educational, operational, and clinical research activities of the Oculoplastic service in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. This position assists oculoplastics physicians in surgery and other minor room procedures. When not in the operating room, the position triages patient phone calls, pre-charts, and coordinates other aspects of patient care, scheduling, and follow-up for the oculoplastics service demonstrating professional competency and experience in ophthalmic care.


Ophthalmic Technician - COA Certified or non COA Certified - University Campus ($1,500 Sign-on Incentive) - For Hires New to UI | Req #23003051

The Ophthalmic Clinical Specialist I will perform 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.


Ophthalmic Technician- IRL - 100% | Req #24002425

The Iowa River Landing Ophthalmology Clinic is seeking a 100% Ophthalmic Technician. Under general supervision, operates, maintains and repairs highly specialized, complex medical equipment for use in the performance of tests and studies related to the treatment of patients and the teaching of staff personnel. Ophthalmic Technicians in Ophthalmology are responsible for performing an extensive number of routine and advanced technical procedures, as delegated by the physician, to collect medical data and assist in patient care. Responsible for day-to-day operations and interaction with patients to obtain medical histories and precise measurement and documentation of:

  • Visual acuity
  • Manual lensometry
  • Confrontational visual fields
  • Stereopsis
  • Motility
  • Pupillary function
  • Color plates
  • Applanation tonometry
  • Humphrey visual field
  • Topography
  • Pachymetry
  • Tear testing
  • OCT
  • IOL master
  • LenStar
  • Ocular testing

Ophthalmic Technician- IRL - 100% | Req #24002426

The Iowa River Landing Ophthalmology Clinic is seeking a 100% Ophthalmic Technician. Under general supervision, operates, maintains and repairs highly specialized, complex medical equipment for use in the performance of tests and studies related to the treatment of patients and the teaching of staff personnel. Ophthalmic Technicians in Ophthalmology are responsible for performing an extensive number of routine and advanced technical procedures, as delegated by the physician, to collect medical data and assist in patient care. Responsible for day-to-day operations and interaction with patients to obtain medical histories and precise measurement and documentation of:

  • Visual acuity
  • Manual lensometry
  • Confrontational visual fields
  • Stereopsis
  • Motility
  • Pupillary function
  • Color plates
  • Applanation tonometry
  • Humphrey visual field
  • Topography
  • Pachymetry
  • Tear testing
  • OCT
  • IOL master
  • LenStar
  • Ocular testing

Orthoptist | Req #24002965

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.


Staff Nurse - Eye Clinic Procedure Suite (60%-100%) | Req #24002765

University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking a Staff Nurse to perform specific tasks to assist members of the Nursing team in providing patient care under the direct supervision of the Eye Clinic Procedure Suite Nurse Manager.


ASC or Eye Team Openings


We are also recruiting for multiple faculty positions. Direct links to these postings are available here: https://jobs.uiowa.edu/jobSearch/faculty/


Lectures and Conferences

Schedule Subject to Change
Mon July 22 8:00 AM Medical Student Presentations (David and Lydia)
Tue July 23 7:00 AM BCSC Retina - Dr. Stephen Russell
Wed July 24 8:00 AM Medical Student Presentations (Erin and Hansen)
Thu July 25 8:00 AM Best of Neuro-Ophthalmology Rounds
Fri July 26 8:00 AM On-call rounds

*P indicates rounds intended specifically for residents, fellows and orthoptic students

  • 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.


Ophthalmology Morning Rounds is held from 8:00 am - 8:45 am in the Braley Auditorium (01136), Pomerantz Family Pavilion / Zoom.

Upcoming events

Aug 9 - MERS 2024
Sept 20 - Clinical Conference: Oculoplastics
Oct 18 - Iowa Eye Alumni Reception @ AAO