Friday, March 17, 2023

 

Administration Station

Ophthalmology Town Hall - Thurs., March 30

There will be Ophthalmology Town Meetings on Thursday, March 30th. There will be two meeting times on this date - The first meeting will be from 8:00-8:45 AM and the second will be from 4:00-4:45 PM in Braley Auditorium. The Town Meetings are for all staff members.

Please mark your calendar and make every effort to attend one of the meetings.

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Updated Process for Employees with Symptoms of a Respiratory Illness

Respiratory illness symptoms? Use the MyChart self-checker instead of calling the University Employee Health Clinic

Have a sore throat? A fever? Maybe you woke up with congestion? Employees experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness should use the MyChart self-checker to determine next steps, including COVID-19 testing.

Employees are also no longer required to notify the University Employee Health Clinic of a positive COVID-19 test. Following a positive test result, employees should notify their supervisor as they would with any other illness.

Questions? Email uehccontacttracing@healthcare.uiowa.edu or employee-health@uiowa.edu. Employees may also call 319-356-3631, option 3.

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ARVO 2023 Call for Titles and Presentations

The ARVO Annual Meeting is coming up, taking place April 23-27 in New Orleans. If you are participating, please send Kelsey Hunold (kelsey-hunold@uiowa.edu) your title(s), and any other information you may have — date/time. A list will be created and shared via the Ophthalmology Update leading up to the meeting.

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Join Us in Welcoming...!

Submitted by Melissa Monhollon-

Itzel Madrigal
(pronounced: ee-tsel)
Ophthalmic Technician - Comprehensive Clinic

Itzel started her position as an Ophthalmic Technician on 2/27/23. Itzel brings to her role a wealth of patient care experience including working as a Certified Nursing Assistant & Certified Medical Manager, Behavioral Health Specialist, and Brain Injury Rehabilitation Specialist. Itzel displays the many qualities we seek in a technician, and we are confident she will learn the ropes of Ophthalmology quickly! Itzel’s favorite color is maroon. You might find her shopping at TJ Maxx/Marshalls, enjoying a meal at La Regia Taqueria, or snacking on gansitos. Itzel also loves spending time with her Shih Tzu, Frankie. Welcome to the team, Itzel!

 

Arthur Negrete
Ophthalmic Technician - Retina Clinic

We are thrilled to announce Arthur Negrete started his position as an Ophthalmic Technician on 2/27/23. Arthur joins our clinic after serving as a Medical Biller, Coder & Ophthalmic Technician for Bradley Parsons, PC in Cedar Rapids from 2013-2021 and a Medical Biller, Coder & Ophthalmic Technician for Insight Vision in Marion from 2021 to present. Arthur is excited to apply his experience in customer service, OCTs, visual fields, contact lens, and topography tests here at UIHC. Arthur is an avid LA Lakers fan and is passionate about cars. You might find him shopping at Target, drinking a Gatorade, or enjoying a meal at Rodina in Cedar Rapids. Welcome to the UIHC Ophthalmology, Arthur! 

 

Ebony Parks
Administrative Services Coordinator

We are excited to welcome Ebony Parks to her position as Administrative Services Coordinator! Ebony started on 3/6/23 and will be supporting all of our staff and faculty from her desk in Administration. In her career thus far, Ebony has achieved a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies and a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership. In addition to contributing to the nonprofit sector through several volunteer efforts, Ebony has held positions with Enterprise/Alamo/National, Wells Fargo, and the Quad City Investment Center. Ebony’s favorite snacks include yogurt/granola and cranberry juice. You might find her shopping at HyVee, Dillards and Ulta or enjoying a meal at Sun Café or Oyama. In her spare time, Ebony enjoys cooking, singing, and spending time with her family. Ebony and her family are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their third baby (a girl!) due on June 21. Welcome to the Ophthalmology team, Ebony!

 

Kenadie Spanier
Administrative Services Coordinator - Retina

Kenadie Spanier started as an Administrative Services Coordinator on 2/27/23. Kenadie will be partnering with Ruby Bollinger to serve our Retina faculty, specifically on retina fellowships and other physician support duties. Prior to this role, Kenadie excelled as a supervisor for Information Services and Call Center, Lead Clinic Services Specialist for General Pediatrics & Otolaryngology, and a Clerk III at IRL. We are thrilled to have her joining our team! Kenadie loves to snack on fig newtons and drink black coffee. Her favorite color is coral, and you might find her shopping at New Pioneer Co-op. In her spare time, Kenadie enjoys biking, hot yoga, dancing, camping, working on home improvement projects, and spending time with family/friends. Welcome, Kenadie!

 

Nick Stone
Assistant Research Scientist/Engineer
UI Institute for Vision Research

We welcomed Nick Stone back to the Institute for Vision Research (IVR) on 2/8/23 in a new capacity as Assistant Research Scientist/Engineer. Previously, Nick worked as a Postdoctoral Scholar in Dr. Budd Tucker’s lab. Nick’s favorite colors are black and gold and he loves a good cup of coffee. Once all this snow melts, you might catch him playing a game of ultimate frisbee or shopping at VWR. Welcome back to the IVR team, Nick!

 

Dana Zach
Ophthalmic Photographer I

You’ve likely seen a familiar face on a new internal team! As of 2/19/23, Dana Zach transferred from her position as Ophthalmic Technician to Ophthalmic Photographer I. Dana’s experience as an Ophthalmic Technician and Optician have prepared her well for new opportunities, skills, and growth in photography. We are excited for her, and also grateful for her willingness to continue to offer coverage in Retina as needed over the next two months until our newest hires are onboarded. In her spare time, Dana enjoys remodeling and decorating her home, gardening, and landscaping. You might find her enjoying a meal at Biaggis, snacking on chocolate chip cookies, or shopping at Von Maur or Ulta. Welcome to the photography team, Dana!

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Troyer featured on March cover of Ophthalmology Science Journal

^{Jody Troyer, CRA, Supervisor of Diagnostic Imaging}

Congratulations to Jody Troyer, CRA, supervisor of diagnostic imaging, who has her photo “Edge of Photoreceptor Degeneration in Bests Disease” featured on the March cover of Ophthalmology Science!

^{On the cover: “Edge of Photoreceptor Degeneration in Bests Disease” by Jody Troyer, CRA (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA) was the First Place winner in the Optical Coherence Tomography category at the Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society 2021 Scientific Exhibition (www.opsweb.org). Equipment: Heidelberg Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering) with high magnification lens.}

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Mansoor named 2023 WIO Advocacy Ambassador

Congratulations to Mahsaw Mansoor, MD, PGY3 for being selected as Women in Ophthalmology’s (WIO) 2023 Advocacy Ambassador to AAO! Dr. Mansoor will represent WIO during the Mid-Year Forum activities in April.

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PHILANTHROPIC STORY

Submitted by the UICA Vision Fundraising Team-

Joe Pusateri of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed away in the Fall of 2022 at the age of 90. He was neither a patient nor alum of the University of Iowa. However, in 2017 Joe chose to make his first generous gift of $10,000 in support of AMD research at the Institute for Vision Research. As someone personally impacted by this condition, he was driven to seek out a research team to philanthropically support.

Shortly after his first gift, Joe toured the research labs and was introduced to the team behind the work. Thoroughly impressed by the caliber of research and the team culture, he decided to generously designate a portion of his estate for this purpose. It was Joe’s hope that these funds could help advance research that would impact future generations to come. We are grateful for his generous support both within his lifetime and beyond.

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Iowa Lions Eye Bank | Update

Submitted by Francie Williamson-

Save the Date!

The annual Celebration of Hope & Renewal will be held this year on Thursday, May 18th at 3:00 pm in the Iowa Lions Donor Memorial & Healing Garden across from the main hospital entrance.

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We were thrilled to welcome Dr. Tolulope (Tolu) Oyedun to Iowa Lions Eye Bank to learn about the DMEK processing technique. Dr. Oyedun is the new Director of Clinical & Technical Services at Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin.

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Although she’s been with Iowa Lions Eye Bank for nearly 3 years, Research Associate Hanna Shevalye is celebrating her 10th anniversary with UIHC.

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LuAnn Dvorak, 1956-2023

Former ophthalmology employee, LuAnn Dvorak, passed away on January 13, 2023. LuAnn worked as a writer and editor with various faculty members over the years (2010-2012, 2013-2014, and 2017). She worked with Dr. Stephen Russell as a co-author for their book, "The Lost Art of Retinal Drawing", published in 2013, and returned to the department to work with Drs. Stanley Thompson and John Lee in 2017 as an editor for their book, "Ophthalmology at Iowa: The Founding and the History of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa in Iowa City".

View obituary

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Dr. Eugene A. Rodemich III Underrepresented in Medicine Scholarship

Submitted by Mahsaw Mansoor-

In honor of Dr. Eugene Rodemich (or “Roadie” as he was affectionately known), the Department of Emergency Medicine in combination with the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has started the Dr. Eugene A. Rodemich III Underrepresented in Medicine Scholarship. This scholarship carries a stipend of $2,500 to support students underrepresented in medicine that are interested in rotating at the University of Iowa Emergency Department. It was designed to honor Roadie’s life and work values, which included a commitment to education and inclusion for all.

I am so grateful to have known Dr. Rodemich. As residents, we interface a lot with the ED, and I cherish our colleagues in the EM residency program. Please consider donating here.

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REGISTER TODAY | Glaucoma Clinical Conference – Mar. 24

The Glaucoma Clinical Conference will be held on Friday, March 24, from 8 am to 12 pm. Dr. Mae Gordon of John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences - Washington University School of Medicine, will be our featured glaucoma speaker, hosted by Dr. John Fingert.

Dr. Mae Gordon is a professor and Director of the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core at Washington University in St. Louis. She has been a leader of the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) which has been one of the most successful and influential treatment studies in ophthalmology. She has also served as member of the National Advisory Eye Council for the NIH. Dr. Gordon also received the 2022 Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research for designing and managing a clinical trial that lasted more than 20 years and greatly increased the understanding of glaucoma progression and prevention.

REGISTER TODAY

8am-12pm
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Braley Auditorium | 01136 PFP
Iowa City, IA

**All Faculty, Residents, Fellows, Students and Staff planning to attend must register**

2022-2023 Clinical Conference Schedule

Time: 8 am-12 pm

• March 24, 2023: Glaucoma (Mansour F. Armaly Lecture) - Mae Gordon, PhD; Host: John Fingert, MD, PhD
• April 14, 2023: Retina

Other dates of note:

• April 2023 – UI Optical Sale
• March 31, 2023 - Ophthalmology Town Hall
• May 12, 2023 – Annual Optometric Conference
• May 19, 2023 – Resident and Fellow Research Day
• June 9-10, 2023 – Iowa Eye Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion

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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

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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)

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Wellness Corner

Submitted by Tonya Looker-

DOC DASH 2023

Doc Dash will take place on April 15, 2023! | More information

Doc Dash is an annual 5K race that has been a tradition of the Carver College of Medicine since 1989. The event welcomes those of all abilities, including not only runners but also walkers, adaptive athletes, and young children who cannot complete the full course. Beginning at the medical campus, participants travel the course through nearby neighborhoods and the river trail before looping back to the finish line. Prior to the main event, a shorter event for young children (dubbed ‘Docling Dash’) takes place in the courtyard of the Medical Education and Research Facility (MERF).

Proceeds are donated to the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic and the University of Iowa Mobile Clinic. These Iowa City organizations provide services to underserved populations that are uninsured or under-insured. Additionally, the Mobile Clinic draws many of its volunteers from the College of Medicine and students of other healthcare disciplines, including the Physical Therapy and Pharmacy schools, to aid in the training of future healthcare professionals. Your participation and support benefit not only Iowa City but the future of healthcare in the state of Iowa and beyond.

Click here to register! All sign ups that occur by March 24 will come with a guaranteed event t-shirt.

Reach out to the Doc Dash Leadership Team at studorg-docdash@uiowa.edu with any questions that cannot be answered by our website.

 

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Department Job Postings | Current Available Positions

Submitted by Melissa Monhollon-

Positions Available in the Department:

Assistant Research Scientist/Engineer (Gramlich Lab) | Req #22005617

Research areas include i) modelling optic neuropathies such as glaucoma, ii) investigating the pathobiology of retinal ganglion cell degeneration and demyelination caused by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), and iii) examining novel neuroprotective strategies to preserve vision and foster optic nerve remyelination in optic neuritis models. The laboratory employs rodent models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and antibody-induced demyelination, mammalian cell culture systems and iPSC-derived organoid systems, and multidisciplinary approaches ranging from immunology to genetics and proteomics. Applicants should have solid conceptual and research backgrounds in in vivo experimentation, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, proteomics, and genetics with a publication record in the field of neurosciences and/or ophthalmology. Individuals who are highly motivated and willing to take risks for innovation are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to work independently, yet in a collaborative environment with a group of scientists with various levels of expertise.

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Grant & Contract Manager | Req #23001480

The Grant & Contract Manager supports the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences’ departmental research by exploring funding opportunities, managing proposal development and submissions, and managing contract/grant post-award administration.

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Ophthalmic Clinical Specialist I | Req #21002169

The 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. Duties include:

• Demonstrate refraction competency with optometrist
• Transpose spectacle prescriptions from minus to plus cylinder
• Responsible for knowing basic pharmacology of ocular medications, instilling multiple diagnostic drops during the exam, per protocol
• Perform manual keratometery testing
• Answers phone calls, triages patient complaints, working them into clinic as needed
• Able to perform advanced applanation tonometry for corneal irregularity problems, or patients with high astigmatism
• Assist with ocular specimen collection using various types of media for microbiology
• Maintains technological equipment, calling for repairs and troubleshooting as needed. Maintains equipment as needed by changing bulbs, arranging repairs
• Assists physicians with procedures including obtaining cultures, tap and injection procedures
• Assists physician with scheduling procedures
• Ensure that quality control testing is complete and documented
• Participate in interview process for new hires and provide feedback
• Consult with the clinic leadership regarding staffing for the day and week
• Address patient complaints or be a resource for service recovery
• Function as an Epic super user
• Train other staff

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Ophthalmic Technician | Req #22005099

The Ophthalmic Technician (GC84; 09) performs 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

Responsibilities may also include scribing for physicians and assisting physicians with clinical procedures.

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Post Doctoral Fellow | Req #3843

A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in Translational Research with Dr. Arlene Drack in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science. Our lab has successfully rescued retinal degeneration in a mouse model of human disease, and we plan to expand the diseases we can rescue. The successful candidate will lead studies on gene transfer and other preclinical treatment trials in mouse models of human genetic retinal disorders, perform analysis of clinical data from human patients with the disorders studied, and ultimately help move treatments to human clinical trials.

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Post Doctoral Scholar | Req #3650

A Postdoctoral Scholar position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Oliver Gramlich in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Research areas include i) modelling autoimmune mediated optic neuropathies, ii) investigating the pathobiology of retinal ganglion cell degeneration and demyelination caused by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), and iii) examining novel therapeutic strategies to preserve vision and foster optic nerve remyelination in optic neuritis models.

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Research Assistant (Kuehn Lab) | Req #22005787

The Research Assistant participates in a study investigating the role of the systemic immune system in degenerative ocular and CNS diseases. The position requires substantial experience in cell culture, mouse handling, molecular biology techniques, and immunohistochemistry.

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Research Intern | Req #551

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science is seeking a motivated Research Intern who is interested in Ophthalmology to assist in pre-clinical animal model studies and human clinical research activities for Dr. Arlene Drack’s lab.

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

• Comprehensive Faculty
• Cornea Faculty
• Neuro-Op Faculty
• Optometrist Faculty
• Retina Faculty

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Lectures and Conferences

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