(Editor’s Note. Residency Day was originally established by (then) Director of Residencies Dr. Vinita Henry as a way to both give the residents experience in presenting a grand rounds case to an audience and give the students a forum to learn more about residencies and have their questions answered. Several students since Residency Day was first established have indicated that this event was what inspired them to pursue a residency. Current Director of Residencies, Dr. Julie DeKinder, now coordinates this event, carrying on the tradition of an outstanding program and her summary of the program, held October 22nd, is given below).
Residency Day is an annual tradition at UMSL. For twelve years the UMSL affiliated residents have convened to deliver a top-notch day of continuing education for the local practitioners, faculty, and professional students at the College of Optometry. The event is generously sponsored by Alcon, Allergan, and Coopervision. Five hours of continuing education is given by the 10 affiliated and 2 in-house resident doctors, in a Grand Rounds fashion.
UMSL has four affiliated VA-based residencies, one affiliated Children's Hospital residency, and two residencies at UMSL. The Kansas City VA has three residency positions and is coordinated by Dr. Tim Harkins. The Saint Louis VA residency has two residency positions and is coordinated by Dr. Julia Dombek. The Marion VA residency has two residency positions and is coordinated by Dr. Linda Lucas. The Robert J Dole VA in Wichita residency has two residency positions and is coordinated by Dr. Michelle Dent. The residency at Children Mercy Hospital in Kansas City is a pediatric residency is coordinated by Dr. Tim Hug. The two residencies based at UMSL are Cornea Contact Lens and Pediatrics. Dr. Julie DeKinder is Director of Residencies and the Coordinator for the Cornea and Contact Lens residency. Dr. Aaron Franzel is the coordinator for the Pediatric residency.
At the conclusion of the presentations, the third and fourth year professional students participate in a residency question-and-answer session with the current residents. This is a great opportunity for the students to interact with the residents and learn more about residencies in general; as well as the application process, interviewing, ORMatch, and what being a resident entails. Below is an outline of the continuing education presented at Residency Day 2015.
Kansas City VAMC
Brittany Tounsel / Myasthenia Gravis: from the classroom to the exam room
Emily Williams / Herpes Simplex Stromal Keratitis
Taia Cordel / Clinical Giant Cell
Saint Louis VAMC
Angela Demetrulias / I have a black spot in my eye
Grant Hill / The swollen optic nerve: presentation and differentiation
Marion VAMC
Linda Nguyen / Mid-peripheral Hemorrhages in a Diabetic Patient?
Nate Aigner / Hemi-retinal Vein Occlusion
Robert J Dole VAMC (Wichita)
Jenna Kampschnieder / Blurry Vision, Blurry Nerve: a Blurry Case Report
Mary Doan / Moya Moya Disease
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Jennifer Vickers / Intermittent Exotropia
UMSL Pediatrics
Nathalie Findlater / Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Optic Pathway Gliomas
UMSL Contact Lenses
Carl Kramer / Acute Corneal Hydrops in a Keratoglobus Patient