If viewing rounds and unable to connect through Zoom, please contact: Jonathan Trejo, MD - jonathan-trejo@uiowa.edu
Friday, February 14, 2025
University leaders and shared governance are working closely with UI's congressional delegation, state and federal government agencies, legal experts, and others to ensure campus remains informed and aligned with any new policies or regulations that may arise. You can also find regular updates and resources on the Federal Updates 2025 page hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Research.
From Paul Swihart-
"I would like to thank all my Ophthalmology family for all the cards, phone calls, and plants I received while hospitalized recently."
We are thrilled to announce and welcome our newest class of Ophthalmology residents! These talented individuals will be joining us as PGY1 Interns starting in July 2025.
We would also like to recognize our medical students who have matched into esteemed peer institutions for their ophthalmology residency. Congratulations to all on this significant achievement!
From The Loop-
Associate professor Elaine Binkley, MD, shares how her upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, her passion for distance running, and her mentors have shaped her career in ophthalmology and ocular oncology, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and continuous learning.
Read Full Q&A with Dr. Binkley
Submitted by Dr. Ian Han-
Welcome to the first of many reminders about "the most important day on our academic calendar" — Resident and Fellow Research Day.
The "Centennial Edition" of RFRD will be on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Above the front stage of Braley Auditorium are the words "dedicated to progress in ophthalmology." RFRD is an opportunity for trainees to share the latest progress as the freshest pioneers in our field.
In recent years, projects presented have ranged from traditional translational/clinical research to QI endeavors addressing clinical questions to outcomes of special programs addressing barriers to care (eg, Global health or health equity initiatives).
For reference, last year's program can be viewed here and prior abstracts can be found here.
As usual, we will be handing out the prestigious P.J. Leinfelder Award (44th year) and the recently-minted Brenton Research Award (3rd year) to trainees who present the most impactful projects.
For those starting new projects, this is a great time to check in with your mentors and make sure all necessary logistics (e.g., IRB approvals) are in place to make progress in the coming months.
Similar to recent years, we anticipate the program starting in the morning (8:00 AM) and ending around lunchtime (~12:30 PM), so plan your day accordingly.
Stay tuned for more reminders from Dr. Han as we move closer to the date.
Submitted by Dr. Ian Han-
We recently kicked off our monthly Retina Surgical Rounds for the year and were grateful to have Matt Cunningham, MD, FASRS as our special alumni guest. Dr. Cunningham completed vitreoretinal fellowship at Iowa in 2013 and practices at the Florida Retina Institute in central Florida. Cases were presented by our senior retina fellow, Dr. Taariq Mohammed, with discussion focused on approaches to effective vitreous removal in a variety of retinal surgical situations. Dr. Cunningham's enthusiasm, expertise, and perspectives were much appreciated by all!
"This is why you come to Iowa — for discussions like this!" - Dr. Cunningham
UI Health Care Catalyst Fund Recipients
Submitted by Francie Williamson-
Iowa Lions Eye Bank is grateful to receive $3,970 from UI Health Care’s Catalyst Fund, which is used to provide support for small projects or needs that have a positive impact on operations/staff/patient experience. This funding will help offset the costs of outcome letters and keepsakes sent to the next-of-kin of ocular tissue donors who passed away at UI Health Care.
-------------------------
Kudos to our Recovery Team!
Submitted by Kailynn Gilbert-
January was a truly remarkable month! We had 112 donors, including both transplant(surgical) and research/education(non-surgical) intent cases: 76 surgical intent and 36 non-surgical intent. This marks the highest number of recoveries in a single month since 2019! A true testament to the dedication and relentless efforts of our incredible recovery team!
A huge shoutout to Liz (35 donors), Tina (31 donors), and Paige (14 donors) for their outstanding work. Your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed. A special congratulations to Liz for leading the month with the most cases!
Our recovery team is such a vital role in the donation process. Day or night, in all conditions, you answer the call to make donation possible. You all work tirelessly, behind the scenes, in the middle of the night, through long hours, and challenging cases to honor the final wishes of our donors. Your precision, compassion, and dedication ensure that every donor’s final gift is honored and that countless lives are impacted through transplantation and research. Without you, none of this would be possible.
This achievement is a direct reflection of your hard work, and I could not be prouder of this team. Let’s keep this momentum going and continue making a difference!
Thank you ALL for everything you do! I am SO proud of our team!
Submitted by Simran Sarin-
In the month of January, we collected 4.2 pounds of contact lens waste!
This program was started to establish a contact lens recycling initiative at the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Funded by the AAO YO Sustainability Grant and EyeSustain, this project will send contact lens waste to TerraCycle for proper recycling. Accepted recyclable materials include contact lenses, contact cases, blister packs, packaging.
Dr. Anat Galor of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute joined us earlier this week at morning rounds. Dr. Galor presented her talk, "Unlocking the Secrets of Dry Eye: Diagnosis Pearls & When It’s Not Just Dry Eye".
View Recording
*Once you click the link, you will need to request permission to view
Submitted by Molly Bell-
Save 20% on eyewear in March during UI Optical’s Spring eyewear sale. Shop sale prices on frames and lenses at UI Health Care–Iowa River Landing in Coralville.
For more information, please visit uihc.org/ui-optical.
Questions? Contact uioptical@uiowa.edu or call 319-467-2125.
Submitted by Tonya Looker-
REGISTRATION FOR DOC DASH 2025 IS NOW OPEN!
Doc Dash is an annual 5K race that has been a tradition of the Carver College of Medicine since 1989. The event welcomes not only seasoned runners but also joggers, walkers, and young children. Recently, we have begun partnering with physical therapy students to support adaptive participants who may use equipment or require assistance to complete the 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).
-------------------------
UI EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Employee Assistance Program (UI EAP) is a confidential, short-term counseling and referral service provided at no cost to UI faculty, staff, postdocs, medical residents, their spouses/partners, and insurance-eligible dependents living in Iowa.
You can request time off from work for your initial appointment (VI-23.8). For subsequent appointments, ask your supervisor to use sick leave or vacation time, as outlined in sections III-22.3 and III-23.2 of the UI Policy Manual.
Employees scheduled to work the third shift will have appointments during Employee Assistance Program office hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday).
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)
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.
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 | Feb 17 | 8:00 AM | On call rounds |
| Tue | Feb 18 | 7:00 AM | BCSC: Oculoplastics with Dr. Keith Carter - Orbital Anatomy, orbital neoplasms, orbital surgery |
| Wed | Feb 19 | 8:00 AM | Brandon Baksh, MD, PGY3 |
| Thu | Feb 20 | 8:00 AM | Adetayo Oladele-Ajose, MD, PGY2 |
| Fri | Feb 21 | 8:00 AM | Oladipupo Anibire, MD, PGY2 |
| Schedule Subject to Change | |||
| Mon | Feb 24 | 8:00 AM | On call rounds |
| Tue | Feb 25 | 7:00 AM | BCSC: Oculoplastics with Dr. Chau Pham - Cosmetic oculofacial plastic surgery |
| Wed | Feb 26 | 8:00 AM | Dr. Mark Wilkinson |
| Thu | Feb 27 | 8:00 AM 4:00 PM |
NO ROUNDS - Ophthalmology Town Hall |
| Fri | Feb 28 | 8:00 AM | Donavon Dahmer, MD, PGY2 |
*P indicates rounds intended specifically for residents, fellows and orthoptic students
If viewing rounds and unable to connect through Zoom, please contact: Jonathan Trejo, MD - jonathan-trejo@uiowa.edu
Ophthalmology Morning Rounds is held from 8:00 am - 8:45 am in the Braley Auditorium (01136), Pomerantz Family Pavilion / Zoom.
Feb 27 - Ophthalmology Town Hall
Mar 21 - Clinical Conference: Glaucoma - Mansour F. Armaly Lecture
Apr 11 - Clinical Conference: Comprehensive Ophthalmology - Wolfe Lecture
Apr 12 - Ophthalmology Town Hall
May 9 - Optometric Conference
May 16 - Resident and Fellow Research Day
June 13-14 - Iowa Eye Annual Meeting & Alumni Reunion - Department's 100th Anniversary
June 27 - Resident and Fellow Graduation @ Hancher Auditorium
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.