Optometric Residency Program
Overview
Providing advanced training and experience in the treatment of ocular disease through patient care, clinical research, education and scholarship in an integrated eye care model.
Program Site: Associated Eye Care, Stillwater, Minnesota.
Program Coordinators: Jacob R. Lang O.D. & Nicole Harris, O.D.
Number of Positions: 2
Program Dates: The program begins in July of each year and runs for 54 weeks. An orientation is provided in the first week of the program.
Program Description:
This post-graduate residency program is offered by AEC in Minnesota, an affiliate of ICO. The program is ACOE accredited. The goal of this program is to provide advanced clinical training in the treatment of ocular disease, clinical research and surgical co-management and perioperative care, as well as comprehensive care to patients ranging in age from neonatal to geriatric. AEC’s integrated eye care model allows the resident to work in conjunction with both optometrists and ophthalmologists in a fast-paced private clinic that treats the entire spectrum of ocular pathologies. This organization includes a broad range of sub-specialized eye care providers such as pediatrics, glaucoma, retina, dry eye, cornea and anterior segment, therapeutic contact lens, as well as refractive laser and cataract specialists. This structure allows us to care for our patient’s “vision for a lifetime.” There will be after-hours on-call time and academic time for the resident. The resident will participate in and attend all continuing education events sponsored by Associated Eye Care as well as attending state and national optometric events. A stipend is provided to help with associated expenses. The resident has full access to any of the material or services provided at the College. This includes the library and media production department.
About Associated Eye Care:
AEC is a comprehensive and tertiary eye care practice with optometric, ophthalmologic, and optical services including a LASIK suite and two state-of-the-art surgery centers. There are 9 optometrists and 10 ophthalmologists at AEC, with sub-specialties in pediatrics, glaucoma, cornea and external disease, retina, oculoplastics and refractive surgery. AEC utilizes leading-edge diagnostic technologies including anterior and posterior OCT, corneal topography, optical ray tracing, multiple digital photography modalities, fluorescein angiography, automated visual fields, ultrasound biomicroscopy, and specular microscopy. Our dry eye clinic employs advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies such as TearCare and IPL, and is an area of clinical research focus. The LASIK suite includes femtosecond and excimer lasers with both wavefront optimized and Contoura topography-guided treatment modalities. The surgery centers are also on the forefront of technology and employ YAG, SLT, and PASCAL lasers, as well as modern cataract technologies including the latest in refractive intraocular lens options. AEC exists to provide high quality, comprehensive eye care to the Eastern Twin Cities metropolitan and Western Wisconsin areas and to patients of all ages through a multi-specialty, integrated care approach. We treat each patient with respect, dignity, kindness, and compassion, and strive to continuously understand their needs and exceed their expectations of quality eye care. We are recognized by patients, primary care physicians, ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and patients as a leading group of high integrity eye care professionals.
Program Objectives/Design:
Provide advanced training and experience in the treatment of ocular disease through patient care, clinical research, education, and scholarship in an integrated eye care model.
Goal 1: Develop advanced clinical competence and patient care abilities of the resident in managing ocular disease.
- Objective 1: The resident will provide patient care in at minimum 1,200 patient encounters.
- Objective 2: The resident will experience a variety of patient care experiences.
- Mentored clinical care of ocular pathologies including but not limited to cornea and anterior segment, vitreous and retinal pathologies, glaucoma, pediatrics, and oculoplastics.
- Independent clinic focused on urgent care and ocular disease management
- Participate in emergency on-call services.
Goal 2: Enhance the resident’s understanding and abilities in co-management of ocular pathologies and procedures.
Objective 1: Provide the resident with mentored clinical care services to patients with ocular pathologies in the areas of cornea and anterior segment, vitreous and retina, glaucoma, pediatrics, oculoplastics, as well as pre-operative assessment and/or post-operative management.
Objective 2: Provide the resident with opportunities to observe procedures in the areas of cornea and anterior segment, vitreous and retina, glaucoma, pediatrics, and oculoplastics to help with understanding of post-operative complications.
Goal 3: Promote life-long learning for the resident through scholarly activities.
Objective 1: Require completion of a research project, case report, or poster of publishable quality.
Objective 2: Require resident to present a case report at AEC grand rounds meetings and ICO grand rounds.
Objective 3: Require participation in quarterly journal review meetings with local residents.
Goal 4: Develop advanced clinical understanding through didactic instruction.
Objective 1: Encourage residents to attend state and national optometric meetings
Objective 2: Provide resident with academic leave days and a financial stipend to help with associated expenses.
Objective 3: Require attendance to grand rounds and journal reviews at AEC.
Criteria for Completion
Research and Educational Opportunities:
The resident will participate in and attend all continuing education events sponsored by Associated Eye Care as well as attending state and national optometric events. A stipend is provided to help with associated expenses. The resident has full access to any of the material or services provided at the ICO. This includes the library and media production department. Associated Eye Care is a national research center for glaucoma, dry eye, allergy, ocular infection, and ocular inflammation as well as surgical procedures and devices. The residents will also be asked to participate in case studies and journal reviews as assigned by Associated Eye Care some of which will be in conjunction with the Minnesota chapter of the American Academy of Optometry.
Salary and Benefits:
Materials and Further Information
Nicole Harris O.D.
2950 Curve Crest Blvd West.
Stillwater, MN 55082
ORMatch Apply
To Apply
In order to apply for Residency, prior to matriculation, you must have attained the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. We evaluate all applicants without regard to sex, race, color, creed, age, religion or non-disqualifying physical disabilities. Application information and an interview are used for the selection process.
To apply, please register online in the NMS Match System to participate in ORMatch. Required components of your ORMatch application include:
For more information about ICO’s residency programs, please contact the program coordinator of each residency, or ICO’s Residency Director, Dr. Christine Allison.