Ocular Disease - Refractive and Ocular Surgery

Sponsor: Chu Vision Institute, 9117 Lyndale Ave S., Bloomington, MN 55378

Academic Affiliate: Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, Oregon

Mission

This Residency Program in Refractive and Ocular Surgery at Chu Vision Institute seeks to advance competency of graduate optometrists in the medical management of ocular disease and co-management of ocular surgery with specific emphasis on anterior segment disease and management of refractive, cataract, cornea, and glaucoma surgical patients.

General Information

Residency Program Coordinator: Jessica Heckman, OD

Residency Program Faculty: Ralph Chu, MD

Length of Program: 52 weeks (July 1st through June 30th)

Number of Positions: 2

Salary: $52,000 – not contingent upon productivity of the resident

Hours: Expected range of hours of attendance in a typical week of activities is 40-50 hours. Site hours are Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30. A typical week will included 4.5 days of clinic with ½  day each week for research/educational time.  The resident will have after hours on-call responsibilities under the supervision of a site supervising provider.

Sample Week in the Life of a Resident

Monday: General clinic
Tuesday: Professional Development in AM | Dry eye and general clinic in PM
Wednesday: Surgery pre-op, post-op, general clinic AM | General clinic PM
Thursday: General clinic AM | PM
Friday: General clinic AM | PM. 

Health, Professional and Leave Benefits

Health insurance will be available to the resident and members of his or her immediate family with Chu Vision covering 50% of the monthly premium cost. 

Professional liability insurance will be provided for all residency related activities by Chu Vision Institute. 

Reimbursement for approved educational meetings will be provided up to $500. 

The resident will be allowed 10 days of paid time off, which may be used for vacation, illness, or professional leave to attend approved professional meetings beyond the opportunities recommended as part of the residency program education.

Certificate of Completion | A certificate of completion will be awarded to the resident upon satisfactory completion of residency requirements as outlined in the Pacific University College of Optometry Administrative Guide for Affiliated Residency Programs and Chu Vision Institute guidelines for residency program completion.

Program Goals

Goal 1: Increase knowledge and skill in co-management of medical-surgical eye conditions.

Goal 2: Strengthen the resident's expertise in management of patients electing to have premium cataract technology.

Goal 3: Enhance resident's skill and knowledge in the management of the refractive surgery patient.

Goal 4: Expand the resident's knowledge in the management of the dry eye patient

Goal 5: Encourage the resident's pursuit of scholarly activities

Drs. Chu and Heckman

Residency Experience

Strengths of the Program

This residency focuses on anterior segment disease and ocular surgery including cornea, cataract, refractive surgery, dry eye, and glaucoma within a private clinic and ambulatory surgery center. There is a strong emphasis on the pre-and post-operative management of ocular surgery patients as well as advanced medical management of patients with ocular disease. The resident will become proficient at managing patients with premium cataract surgery technologies. The resident will also have an opportunity to participate in clinical research, observe surgery, and work with ophthalmic technicians and optometry externs.

Scholarly Activities

The resident will write a paper of publishable quality based upon original research, literature review, or a clinical case that is suitable for submission to a refereed professional journal under the guidance and support of the Residency Coordinator.

The resident will present a lecture at the annual Northwest Residents Conference at Pacific University.  The resident will also be expected to present posters, papers, or lectures in other settings such as at the Minnesota Optometric Association, national optometric meetings, or other local meetings. 

Clinical Activities

Clinical experience may include, but is not limited to, the diagnosis and/or treatment of the following conditions* (estimated patient encounters per residency year):

Total patient encounters (>1500) 

Post-operative patient encounters (>200)

Including

  • Cataract surgery
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
  • Laser vision correction surgery (PRK, LASIK, SMILE)
  • Corneal transplant surgery

Dry eye patient encounters (>50)

Including

  • Use of advanced diagnostic testing
  • Management of patients undergoing Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL)

Ocular disease encounters (>750)

The resident will have experience with management of various anterior and posterior segment pathologies including, but not limited to cataracts, corneal ulcers, anterior basement membrane dystrophy, Fuch’s dystrophy, various other keratitis, uveitis, glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal detachments, and diabetic retinopathy. 

*Many patients present with multiple conditions or pathologies requiring surgery, advanced medical management, or coordination of care with other specialists.

Library & Research Resources

The resident is provided electronic access to the libraries and computer databases of Pacific University.  The clinic also has a large assortment of publications and text books to supplement the resident’s experience.

Computer, Email & Telephone Access

The resident’s workspace is equipped with a telephone, computer, internet and email access. 

Performance Evaluations

The resident will meet on a weekly basis with the residency supervisor for discussion of current cases. The resident will receive quarterly written evaluations from the residency program coordinator.  The resident will evaluate the residency program and the residency program coordinator at mid-year and at the end of the year.

Worksite

Chu Vision Institute and Chu Surgery Center were founded by Y. Ralph Chu, M.D. in 1999.  The practice is a 16,000 square foot facility with an attached ambulatory surgery center.  Chu Vision Institute is a stand-alone building with nine fully equipped examination rooms, reception area, procedure room and laser suite, and spacious areas for diagnostic testing.  Current diagnostic testing technology available for use includes, but is not limited to: Humphrey topography, Keratograph, Pentacam, anterior and posterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, IOL master, specular microscopy, Humphrey Visual Field, Inflammadry, wide field fundus photography, OCT angiography, and ITrace.  Chu Surgery center is a fully accredited surgery center with 2 fully functional operating rooms.  The surgery center is equipped with femtosecond laser technology, as well as video monitors in both operating rooms to allow for surgical observation.  The resident will have an opportunity to work closely with Dr. Chu, Dr. Heckman, and other optometrists within the practice. 

Application Process | Eligibility Criteria

Applications are processed through the Optometric Residency Match (ORMatch)

  • This program uses the Optometric Residency Match (ORMatch). All applicants must complete and return application forms by the ORMatch application deadline. Supporting documents should be submitted directly to the Residency Coordinator no later than January 31. Applicants must complete the ORMatch application and forward it to the ORMatch as directed in the application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all supporting documentation, including the complete transcript of the applicant’s optometric education, is submitted to each entity involved, e.g. ORMatch and the residency site if required.
  • Applicant must have earned an O.D. degree, or will have earned such a degree by the time of matriculation, from an ACOE accredited school/college of optometry.
  • Applicant will furnish an official transcript from his/her school/college of optometry. The ideal candidate will have a cumulative grade point average greater than 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the professional optometric curriculum.
  • Applicant must pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations required for Minnesota licensure and furnish official transcripts when available. If accepted, the resident must be able to obtain a Minnesota optometry license prior to the starting date of the residency program.
  • Three letters of recommendation are required.
  • Candidates must provide a brief essay stating reasons for applying to this program.
  • A personal interview will be required.
  • The resident will be selected from among candidates of whom if hired, can present evidence of legal right to live and work in the United States.
  • All applicants will be evaluated for selection without regard to sex, race, color, creed, age, national origin, or non-disqualifying physical disabilities.

Living in Minnesota

Minnesota is the beautiful state of 10,000 lakes! We are known for our fabulous four seasons, chilly winters, warm people, outdoor activities and culture. The Twin Cities boasts a booming economy, amazing food, city offerings, shopping and sporting events. Chu Vision Institute is located in Bloomington, MN, a close suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Residents can enjoy fishing, a city jog around Lake Calhoun, great food of any origin, live music concerts, museums or a Twins game. Minnesota has it all!

Call or Email Today

For additional information about this residency opportunity, please contact:

Jessica Heckman, OD

9117 Lyndale Ave S
BLoomington, MN  55378

952-835-1235 | Jessica.Heckman@chuvision.com