Providing Advanced Competency Training in Low Vision Rehabilitation and Ocular Disease through Education, Scholarship and Patient Care

PROGRAM SITE: The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision and Illinois Eye Institute
PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Kara Crumbliss, OD (email:  kcrumbliss@ico.edu)
RESIDENCY DIRECTOR: Janice Jurkus, OD, MBA
NUMBER OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 2 (Accredited)
DURATION/PROGRAM DATES: July 1, 2013 lasting 53 weeks.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This post-graduate residency program is offered by the Illinois College of Optometry in conjunction with the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired and the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision. It is the goal of this program to provide advanced clinical training in low vision rehabilitation in an interdisciplinary as well as a private practice clinical setting. Interaction with various programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, including job readiness and placement, a manufacturing facility that employs blind workers, a school for children with visual and other impairments, a program for individuals who are both deaf and blind and an adult living skills program, is an integral part of the residency. In addition to the direct low vision patient care experience at the main Lighthouse facility and the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision, the resident will have the opportunity to examine patients in a variety of satellite facilities and the Illinois Eye Institute.

The program also emphasizes advanced competency in the diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular disease, with a focus on those conditions that frequently result in vision loss. This is accomplished through clinical rotations at the Illinois Eye Institute's Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care. Residents will provide patient care in the Center's Vitreo-retinal, Glaucoma and Urgent Care Services. Rotations in Cornea and External Disease and Comprehensive Ophthalmology are included in the curriculum.

ABOUT THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE
The Chicago Lighthouse was founded in 1906. It is a comprehensive agency with programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. Its low vision clinic was founded in 1956 as a cooperative effort of the Illinois Optometric Association and the Chicago Ophthalmological Society. Today the Chicago Lighthouse is the oldest and largest Low Vision Rehabilitation Clinic in the country. Its interdisciplinary staff includes optometrists who are residency or diplomate certified in low vision, a licensed clinical psychologist, a certified low vision therapist, an occupational therapist, an orientation and mobility specialist, and an ophthalmologist. In addition, the Chicago Lighthouse Low Vision Rehabilitation Service provides care in eight satellite clinics.

ABOUT THE SPECTRIOS INSTITUTE FOR LOW VISION
Founded in 1986, the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision's mission, formerly the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation, is to provide the visually impaired with the tools and training necessary to function independently at home, in the workplace, and in the community at large. Accredited since 1992 by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision has helped more than 12,000 people of all ages maximize sight and learn to cope with the challenges of living with low vision. The Spectrios Institute for Low Vision provides patients with comprehensive low vision services including rehabilitation training, counseling, orientation and mobility training, and assistive technology in addition to optometric services. The Spectrios Institute's staff is experienced in clinical education, serving as a training site for optometry students since 1997.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES/DESIGN
To obtain advanced training in:

• Prescribing low vision devices
• Prescribing low vision rehabilitation training
• Interacting with professionals in other disciplines
• Interacting with state agencies that serve people who are blind or visually impaired
• Low vision rehabilitation of children, working age adults, and seniors
• Low vision rehabilitation in various settings
• Diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular disease, with an emphasis on those conditions that frequently result in vision loss
• Use and interpretation of advanced diagnostic technologies
• Clinical and didactic teaching

To accomplish these objectives, the resident participates in the following rotations:

At the Chicago Lighthouse, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision, Illinois Eye Institute and their satellites:

• Direct low vision patient care: 16 hrs/wk
• Interaction with other professionals and programs: 4 hrs/wk
• At the Illinois College of Optometry/Illinois Eye Institute:
• Glaucoma or Vitreo-retinal Service: 4 hrs/wk
• Urgent Care Service: 4 hrs/wk
• Primary Care, Cornea/External Disease or Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service: 4 hrs/wk
• Electrodiagnostics, low vision laboratory, or other course work: 4 hrs/wk
• Conference participation/Research/Independent study: 4 hrs/wk

RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES
The resident is required to prepare a paper of publishable quality during the course of the residency year. This may be in the format of a literature review, case report, or original research. The resident is encouraged to publish this work or present it at a professional meeting.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The resident attends and participates in weekly conferences at the Illinois College of Optometry. Residents may attend, at no charge, any continuing education courses provided by the Illinois College of Optometry. The resident has full access to any of the material or services provided at the College. This includes the library and media production department. The resident will participate in a seminar at the Illinois College of Optometry provided by an expert in medical education. The goal of this program is to enhance the resident's clinical precepting skills as well as to aid the resident with development of public speaking skills.

The resident is encouraged to attend professional meetings relevant to the residency program. Five days of educational leave and travel support are provided to facilitate participation.

RESIDENCY SUPERVISION/EVALUATION
The residency program coordinator is responsible for supervision of the resident, however, the resident will work with a variety of attending optometrists at all sites. The program coordinator reports to the Director of Residencies at the College.

The resident receives three formal evaluations in addition to informal feedback from the residency program coordinator and other faculty. Grand Rounds presentations given three times a year at the College are evaluated by faculty in attendance. The resident is asked to evaluate the program faculty three times a year and their residency experience at mid-year and at the end of the program.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
The resident's stipend is $38,100 pro-rated for 53 weeks. A full professional benefits package including professional liability, health, life, dental, and limited term disability insurance is available. One week vacation per year and compensated professional meeting time are granted.

CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION AND COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Attendance at all clinical assignments
Attendance and participation in all scheduled conferences
Submission of a paper of publishable quality to a peer-reviewed journal
Successful completion of all learning objectives
A certificate is presented upon completion of the residency program

For more information:
Kara Crumbliss, OD
Illinois College of Optometry
3241 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Email: kcrumbliss@ico.edu

Offering advanced competency in Cornea and Contact Lens Management through education, scholarship, and patient care.

PROGRAM SITES: Illinois College of Optometry/Illinois Eye Institute, Professional Eye Care Center & University of Chicago. Chicago, Illinois
COORDINATOR: Elyse Chaglasian, OD (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
RESIDENCY DIRECTOR: Janice Jurkus, OD, MBA
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 1
PROGRAM DATES: The residency is a 53-week program beginning the first Monday in July. This time frame ensures overlap with current residents to provide an orientation period.

Program Description
This fully accredited (ACOE) one-year program focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and management of complex corneal, anterior segment and contact lens related conditions. The Resident will gain experience in patient care and teaching. This unique Residency offers clinical experience in three types of settings; private practice, hospital and educational centers. Clinical assignments include direct care and precepting responsibilities in the Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence, the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care and Emergency Services at the Illinois Eye Institute, which is ICO's primary clinical teaching facility. Clinical work in a private practice setting includes primary care and contact lens care. Cornea and anterior segment plus pre and postoperative management are provided in conjunction with the University Of Chicago Department Of Ophthalmology. Throughout the program, particular emphasis is on the diagnosis and management of corneal and anterior segment pathology, and the fitting of specialty contact lenses including keratoconic, bifocal, toric and post-op fittings. Opportunities for research development and individualization of the program exist. This challenging program is designed to enable the resident to develop and cultivate advanced clinical competency in cornea and contact lens management.

Illinois Eye Institute
The Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is a multi-specialty eye center serving patients form the Chicago metropolitan region. Over 98,000 patient visits are registered annually. IEI is a division of the Illinois College of Optometry and is affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Chicago. In addition to primary eye care, comprehensive subspecialty eye care is available in all areas of ophthalmic care. IEI serves as a center for clinical research involving many eye and vision problems, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cornea and contact lenses and pediatric eye disorders.

Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence
At the Illinois Eye Institute, we have a staff of practitioners specializing in cornea and contact lenses, dedicated to providing comprehensive services that yield successful wear. In addition, corneal pathology consultative services are provided. Our status as a teaching institution ensures that we are equipped with the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and an extensive inventory of contact lenses and lens care solutions.

Program Objectives/Design
The residency will enhance skills in the diagnosis and management of complex cornea/contact lens patients such as keratoconic, presbyopic, ortho-keratology, astigmatic, post surgical, anterior segment disease, and urgent care patients. The Resident will develop/enhance skills of an advanced diagnostic nature with Corneal topography, Endothelial cell studies, Corneal pachymetry, A-scan and B-scan ultrasonography and Anterior segment photography.

In a typical week, the resident participates in the following activities. The resident is expected to spend at least 44 hours/week doing residency activities. The times listed are approximations and are subject to change:

• Private practice: direct care (9 hours)
• Advanced care: anterior segment (4.5 hours)
• Contact lenses: direct care, precepting (11.5 hours)
• Hospital clinic: observation, interaction (5 hours)
• Educational rounds (4 hours)
• Research development (4 hours)
• Consultation (2 hours)

Research Responsibilities
The resident is required to complete a literature review, research study or case report of publishable quality during the course of the residency. It is recommended that the project be presented at academic meetings, or published in a refereed journal.

Educational Opportunities
The resident attends and participates in regularly scheduled conferences that take place at the Illinois College of Optometry. An on campus educational training session taught by education experts helps the resident develop skills as a clinical educator. In addition, this course aids the resident in the development of skills needed to give effective presentations. The resident is allowed 5 days of educational leave for meetings such as the American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association and regional specialization meetings.

Residency Supervision/ Evaluation Process
The resident is supervised by the faculty in each clinic. Increasing autonomy develops as the residency progresses. The resident receives three evaluations in addition to general feedback from their supervisor. The area supervisor develops the resident's schedule on a quarterly basis. Grand rounds presentations given three times a year are evaluated by the entire faculty. A summary report is generated by the Residency Coordinator and is then forwarded and discussed with the resident.

The resident will meet on a regular basis with the Residency Coordinator during the course of the year to provide guidance throughout the program and enhance the clinical experience. The resident is also asked to evaluate their residency experience at the completion of the program.

Salary and Benefits
The resident's salary is $38,100 pro-rated for 53 weeks.

Benefits eligibility to participate in group medical and dental insurance with a prescription card, and professional liability insurance for eye care provided at the Illinois Eye Institute and its affiliated clinics. Group term life and disability insurance is also provided. Additional benefits include: one week of personal vacation, five days academic leave, as well as holiday time when the Illinois Eye Institute is closed.

For more information:
Elyse Chaglasian, OD 
Illinois College of Optometry
3241 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-949-7122
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Providing Advanced Competency Training in Binocular Vision and Pediatric Optometry through Education, Scholarship and Patient Care

PROGRAM SITE:  Illinois Eye Institute, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois
PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Christine Allison, OD, FAAO, FCOVD (email:  callison@ico.edu)
RESIDENCY DIRECTOR: Janice Jurkus, OD, MBA
NUMBER OF POSITIONS:  2
PROGRAM DATES: Accredited, 1 year program (53 weeks): July 1, 2012 – July 7, 2013

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: 
This program provides advanced clinical experience in binocular vision and pediatric optometry. The residency offers a special opportunity to develop expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of the following: strabismus and amblyopia; non-strabismic binocular vision, accommodative, and ocular motility disorders; visually-related learning problems; and vision care for infants, children, head trauma patients, and those with special needs. The program is designed to provide the resident with intensive clinical training and experience through participation in both patient care and didactic activities. The resident has an opportunity to provide vision care to a large number of patients from varied socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Other responsibilities include supervising students in clinic, giving grand rounds presentations, attending the weekly Resident Seminar, completing a research project or case report of publishable quality, and clinical rotations in specialty advanced-care clinics and the Emergency Service at the Illinois Eye Institute. The program is flexible and may be adapted to the resident's particular needs and interests.

EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Direct patient care in the Binocular Vision & Pediatric Service.                    
2. Supervision of fourth year optometry students.
3. Direct patient care in the Emergency Service.
4. Co-management of cases with ophthalmology and other health care providers.
5. Literature review and clinical research.
6. Weekly seminar and case discussions with senior faculty.
7. Opportunity to provide some pediatric low vision services.

RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES: Required (one or the other)

1. A completed research project of publishable quality.
2. Literature review or case report of publishable quality.

CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION

1. Attendance at all clinical assignments
2. Attendance and participation in all scheduled conferences.
3. Submission of a paper of publishable quality.
4. Successful completion of all learning objectives.

 
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS IN HOURS: 40 - 45 hours per week

SALARY/STIPEND: $38,100

BENEFITS:           

• Medical and dental insurance; prescription card (monthly fee to participate)
• Professional liability insurance
• 1 week paid vacation
• 5 days for continuing education / meetings
• Group term life insurance
• Disability insurance

For more information: 
Christine Allison, OD, FAAO, FCOVD
Illinois College of Optometry
3241 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Email: callison@ico.edu

The Illinois College of Optometry congratulates Stephen H. Pugh, a member of the ICO Board of Trustees, on being selected the recipient of the 15th Annual Jefferson Fordham, Daniel J. Curtin, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. "Stephen is a worthy recipient of this honor and a valued member of the ICO Board of Trustees," said ICO President Arol Augsburger, OD. "On behalf of the ICO community, we extend our congratulations on this well deserved accomplishment." The Jefferson Fordham Award recognizes excellence within the area of state and local government law over a lifetime of achievement. Pugh will receive the award on August 3 at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association.

July 17, 2012 (CHICAGO) — The Illinois College of Optometry is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric A. Baas, OD, FAAO, to the position of service chief for the Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center for Vision and Aging at the Illinois Eye Institute. Dr. Baas will also serve as a full-time faculty member at the Illinois College of Optometry. He will begin his new roles on September 17. Until then, he will continue as an assistant clinical instructor at ICO, a position he has held since 2007. Dr. Baas is also the owner of Marketplace Vision, a private practice in Chicago.

“Dr. Baas is well trained in the facets of eye disease as it relates to geriatric populations,” said Dr. Leonard Messner, executive director and vice president for patient care services at the Illinois Eye Institute. “Additionally, he has significant experience within the low vision arena. So he is somewhat of a unique provider in that he bridges the spectrum of primary eye care to the geriatric population with cognizance of the low vision options that are available to partially sighted individuals.”

As service chief for the Rosenbloom Center, Dr. Baas will be responsible for all clinical practice activities at the Center, as well as for all of the College’s service-related educational activities. Other responsibilities of the position include developing the Center’s marketing plan, managing quality assurance and compliance issues, and creating a continuing education geriatric program.

“As a fourth year student, I knew that I ultimately wanted to return to ICO in a role that allowed me to have the greatest and most influential impact on students, fellow faculty, and patients alike,” says Dr. Baas. “This exciting new position represents an ideal combination of clinical practice management and education, all the while paying tribute to, and continuing the legacy of, a true pioneer and role model in our profession.”

The Rosenbloom Center will ultimately have four essential functions: to promote optometry students’ and practitioners’ increased knowledge and understanding of the inter-relatedness of aging and vision care; to provide vision care, counseling and support services for older adults and underserved communities in and around Chicago; to develop ongoing relationships with selected geriatric care facilities in the Chicago area for education and patient care services; and to sponsor vision-related geriatric research.

About the Illinois College of Optometry and the Illinois Eye Institute
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), founded in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is one of the world's leading optometric institutions. Located in Chicago, ICO has a long and distinguished legacy as the oldest continually operating educational facility in the world dedicated solely to the teaching of optometrists. The Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is the clinical division of ICO. With over 95,000 annual visits, the IEI is the largest eye care provider in Chicago. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.