If viewing rounds at IRL and unable to connect through GoToMeeting, please contact: Lauren Hock, MD - Cell phone: 630-977-9003 (text message is preferred)
SPOTLIGHT: EYE CLINIC SERVICES AND PEOPLE
Services and staff will be featured each month on the digital monitors and in the Weekly Update as a way of showcasing the various aspects and people of our department.
May is Healthy Vision Month and our staff spotlight this month is the Orthoptist team.
Did you know...
- Orthoptics is an allied health profession pertaining to the study of eye movements and binocular vision.
- UIHC has one of the few orthoptic training programs in the country and has several orthoptists within our Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Clinic.
World Orthoptic Day is June 3, 2019.
"Orthoptists work in a team with pediatric ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat strabismus and amblyopia for all ages. We are specialists in the non-surgical management of binocular vision disorders. We work with the ophthalmologists most days, but also have orthoptic clinics in which we do vision exams for kids that are patching for amblyopia as well as prism refractions and diagnostic measurements for adults with double vision." - Tara Bragg, CO
Left to Right: Haley Riemer, Wanda Pfeifer, Xiaoyan Shan, Amy Troll, Tara Bragg
Tara Bragg, CO, Orthoptist
Trainee 2008-2010, joined full time in 2010 following graduation
Hobbies/Interests:
- I used to read, garden, cook and knit – now I very happily spend every free moment with an energetic toddler.
Wanda Pfeifer, OC(C), COMT, Orthoptist
Joined UIHC in 1992
Hobbies/Interests:
- Spend time with my 2 beautiful daughters and my husband trying new things like downhill skiing, water skiing, and nature photography.
Xiaoyan Shan, CO, Orthoptist
Joined UIHC in 2013
Hobbies/Interests:
- I like to read, cook, garden, and travel with my family to different places.
Amy Troll, CO, Orthoptist
Joined UIHC in October 2017
Haley Riemer (Orthoptic Trainee, August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2020)
Joined UIHC in August 2018
Hobbies/Interests:
- I really enjoy yoga and staying active outdoors in the summertime with beach volleyball, boating, kayaking, and fishing. During the colder months I love binge watching TV shows on Hulu/Netflix. I also have an adorable 3 year old Labrador at home that occupies most of my time with fetch and cuddles.
The best part of my job is...
Tara
"I have lots of favorite things about my job! I think the best part of my job is getting to share my knowledge and professional enthusiasm with our orthoptic students. I have a lot of fun with our kiddos every day and I really like the complex strabismus and double vision patients that come through orthoptic clinic. Double vision is not an easy or straight forward thing to manage for a lot of patients; we are able to help in a very meaningful way and that is very rewarding."
Wanda
"I am so happy that I chose a career in orthoptics because it is a profession that you can do so much in. Over the past 27 years I have had the opportunity to help children regain vision with amblyopia therapy, help prevent vision loss with vision screening and now help restore vision with gene therapy. I have been involved in many research projects and have presented locally, nationally and internationally. The best part of all is that I get to share these experiences and knowledge with our orthoptic students, residents and fellows. I hope to continuing in orthoptics for many, many more years."
Xiaoyan
"That it allows me to help patients with my knowledge and techniques I gained over the years. I meet different people every day. I have a lot of fun with our pediatric patients as I watch them growing and doing better visually. I also enjoy working with adult patients who have double vision. When the patients tell me "that is magic" as I am able to help them see single with prism, I deeply feel the joy my job bring to both my patients and myself."
Haley
"I truly enjoy working with children. Being able to help them achieve the best vision possible for the rest of their lives is very rewarding. I had amblyopia and strabismus as a child so it is all very close to home and relatable for me."
Daisy Award Nomination
Congratulations to Kim Johnson, RN, on being nominated for the UIHC DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
"I would like to nominate Kim Johnson, from the Ophthalmology department as a deserving recipient of the DAISY Award. This nurse's extraordinary compassion and clinical skill exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model.
I was here for an eye procedure on (date removed) and Kim was my nurse. I expressed concern to her about feeling very anxious about the needles and feeling the pain! Kim took her time and explained to me everything that the doctor was going to do. She ensured me that I would do just fine so I agreed to do the procedure without sedation. Once they were going to inject me she held my hand to calm me down. That gesture was so little but meant so much to me. She continued to hold my hand through the whole procedure which calmed me down. She also showed my family member caring and compassion. She truly is a great nurse that went above and beyond her duties. This has been the best experience I have had in a hospital and it was because of her!! Kim Johnson ROCKS!!!"
2019 Family Graduates - COMING SOON
This department recognizes the important role that our families play in our lives. The graduation supplement is one way we acknowledge the accomplishments of those who support us behind the scenes.
It's not too late to add your graduate, please send information and a photo to kelsey-hunold@uiowa.edu as soon as possible -- photos will be shared in NEXT WEEK'S Update!
Information needed:
1. Graduate's name, and relationship to you
2. What school they are graduating from
3. Graduation honors (if you want that included)
4. Plans after graduation (i.e. college, graduate school, job)
5. A photo (snap shot or senior picture - digital or loan me a photo to scan)
Save the Date: Resident & Fellow Graduation
Join us on Thursday, June 27 as we celebrate our 2019 graduates!
What: Resident and Fellow Graduation
When: Thursday, June 27 | Social Hour @ 5:30 PM, Program @ 6:15 PM
Where: Hancher Auditorium, Strauss Hall, 141 East Park Road
For more information, please contact Laura Pitlick, laura-pitlick@uiowa.edu
View PDF (see where our graduates are heading)
Weekend Activity
Summer of the Arts Presents: Iowa Arts Festival
May 31-June 2
View event website: https://summerofthearts.org/sota-events/iowa-arts-festival/
The Iowa Arts Festival is an award-winning, weekend-long community celebration featuring over 110 local and national visual artists. On Saturday and Sunday, we feature high school and college artists in the Emerging Artist Pavilion. However, that's not all: there are music performances, food vendors serving regional and ethnic dishes, and creative and educational activities and entertainment for children. The Iowa Arts Festival is the most anticipated art event of the summer!
Editors choice: Be sure to check out William Elliott Whitmore at the Main Stage on Saturday! :)
Geek Speak
Submitted by Jessica Bramow-
Tips & Tricks
Click HERE for a list of mini training videos. Jess will be adding more content to this page soon!
If you've got ideas for what you'd like training on, please shoot Jess an email: Jessica-bramow@uiowa.edu
Ways to Contact Us for Help
Phone: 78107
Email: OphthIT@healthcare.uiowa.edu
ESC Portal: https://service.healthcare.uiowa.edu (click on the link in the tips & tricks section to learn how to submit a ticket properly, so that it gets routed to Ophthalmology IT)
Iowa Lions Eye Bank | Update
Submitted by Ashley Dockendorf-
Donor Dash 5K Fun Run + 2 Mile Walk
Raising Awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation
Saturday, August 17 | 8 AM
Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
Iowa City, IA
Registration opens May 31 (register before July 1st to receive best discounted rate)
More info & Registration: https://bit.ly/2XiKhOS
About the event
Over 114,000 men, women and children are waiting for an organ transplant in the U.S. right now; over 700 right here in Iowa. Join us for this fun, family-friendly event and be a part of a community that is determined to end the wait!
The 4th Annual DONOR DASH 5K Fun Run and Walk honors those who have given the gift of life, celebrates the lives of organ and tissue recipients, and recognizes those who continue to wait for a life-saving transplant.
Lectures and Conferences
| Schedule Subject to Change | |||
| Mon | June 3 | 8:00 AM | Brittni Scruggs, MD, PhD, PGY4 - Cataract M&M |
| Tue | June 4 | 8:00 AM | Dr. Drack and Wanda Pfeifer - ERGs in Research - Mice and MAn |
| Wed | June 5 | 8:00 AM | Tony Chung, MD, PGY3 |
| Thu | June 6 | 8:00 AM | Dr. Syed - Pathology Lecture Series |
| Fri | June 7 | 7:00 AM | BCSC |
| Schedule Subject to Change | |||
| Mon | June 10 | 8:00 AM | Michelle Pineda, Risk Management OMIC |
| Tue | June 11 | 8:00 AM | ***AVAILABLE*** |
| Wed | June 12 | 8:00 AM | Tony Chung, MD, PGY3 |
| Thu | June 13 | 8:00 AM | Armin Avdic MS3 |
| Fri | June 14 | Iowa Eye Annual Meeting | |
| Schedule Subject to Change | |||
| Mon | June 17 | 8:00 AM | Michelle W. Latting, MD, Oculoplastics Faculty Candidate |
| Tue | June 18 | 8:00 AM | Resident Research Remix: Dr. Matthew Miller PGY5 & Dr. Tyler Quist PGY2 |
| Wed | June 19 | 8:00 AM | Heather Stiff, MD, PGY3 |
| Thu | June 20 | 8:00 AM | Ben Janson, MD, PGY3 |
| Fri | June 21 | 7:00 AM | BCSC |
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 tet your Uiowa.edu email address to 319-519-0038. For questions, contact joe-schmidt@uiowa.edu.