ACOE Accredited
Affiliated with the
Michigan College of Optometry at
Ferris State University
Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic
3019 Coit Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Phone: (616) 365-9575
Fax: (616) 365-7509
MISSION
The optometric residency in ocular disease at the Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic
will provide post-doctoral clinical education resulting in advanced competency in
medical optometry. The residency will provide the challenging cases and attending
expertise needed to help develop the resident into an ocular disease specialist. An
interdisciplinary approach for providing care for patients with systemic disease and
ocular complications will be emphasized. Furthermore, the residency will promote scholarly
activities through the teaching of interns, research, and oral presentations to develop
the resident into a leader for the optometric profession.
| Contact Person: Douglas Coon, OD, FAAO, Program Director Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic 3019 Coit Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (616) 365-9575 ext 37585 – phone (616) 365-7509 – fax douglas.coon@va.gov |
Clinical Teaching Faculty: Douglas Coon, OD, FAAO Joy A. Kerns, OD Optometry Staff: Renee L. Williams, OD Sara Seymour, OD |
Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic: The Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic, part of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center has been associated with optometric education since 1992. Our clinic was constructed in 1992 and provides outpatient care for veterans in Grand Rapids (the second largest city in Michigan) and its surrounding areas. In addition to internal medicine, several specialty clinics are on-site including dermatology, urology, neurology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, wound care, dentistry, podiatry, psychiatry, psychology, social work, audiology, and optometry. Laboratory, Pharmacy, and Radiology are on site as well.
Length of Program: 1 year
Admissions: All applicants to optometry residencies must use the Optometric Residency Matching Services (ORMS).
ORMatch provides:
• Comprehensive listing of all ACOE accredited residency programs
• Detailed instructions for applying to a residency program
• Standardized application forms
• Conducts a fair and standardized process for matching applicants to residency programs
More information, instructions, forms, and deadlines are available at:
Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch)
National Matching Services, Inc.
20 Holly Street, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M4S 3B1
Telephone: 416-977-3431
Fax: 416-977-5020
E-mail: ormatch@natmatch.com
Application and Instructions
Download one of the following:
Application Requirements:
1. Name, current address and phone number
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts of NBEO scores
4. Transcripts of optometric education
5. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members of the applicant’s college
of optometry. It is recommended that at least one of your letters of recommendations
is written by a clinical instructor who directly supervised you during your Fourth
year clinical experience.
6. Brief statement from the applicant regarding the individual’s desire to complete
this particular residency program
Application Deadline: February 1, 2010
For more information, please contact:
Douglas Coon, OD, FAAO
Program Director
Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic
3019 Coit Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 365-9575 ext 37585 – phone
(616) 365-7509 – fax
douglas.coon@va.gov
OR
Bruce Morgan, OD, FAAO
Director of Residencies
Michigan College of Optometry
Ferris State University
1124 S. State Street, MCO 231
Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
(231) 591-2180 - telephone
(231) 591-2394 - fax
morganb@ferris.edu
Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Stipends and Expenses: The resident received $30,100 for the 2009-2010 year in training.
The VA will carry professional liability insurance for the resident.
Scope of the Residency: The eye clinic serves primarily older males with a high incidence
of systemic and ocular disease. A multitude of chronic eye conditions including vascular
eye disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are commonly encountered. Acute ocular
disease conditions including ocular infections, uveitis, and trauma present frequently
as well.
The Optometry Clinic consists of two attending optometrists, one optometry resident, two to four optometry interns, and two part-time optometrists. The eye clinic is the sole on-sight provider of all specialty eye care for our patients.
The attending optometrists and residents are granted hospital privileges and are responsible for treating the vast majority of problems encountered by our patients. The optometrist performs and interprets dilated eye examinations, refractions, visual field testing, corneal pachymetry, gonioscopy, digital photography, and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Minor surgical procedures are commonly performed including dilation and irrigation of the lacrimal system, epilation, foreign body removal, injection of local anesthetics, incision and drainage of periorbital cysts, papilloma removal, and intralesional injections of chalazions. Our attending and resident optometrists are privileged to use topical, oral, and injectable medications for diagnostic and treatment purposes and commonly order imaging studies including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and carotid doppler ultrasounds.
Patients requiring eye care outside the scope of optometry are referred within the
VA system to Ann Arbor VA Medical Clinic located two hours southeast of Grand Rapids.
However, the majority of patients choose to be referred locally to Grand Rapids area
ophthalmologists. Grand Rapids VA Eye Clinic enjoys an excellent working relationship
with several local eye surgeons.
Goals and Objectives for the Residency:
Goal 1: The resident will gain proficiency in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease and become adept in managing the associated systemic complications encountered in eye care.
Objectives:
• The resident will be actively involved in over 1500 patient encounters through direct
care and observation.
• The resident will assume responsibility for the care, follow up, and appropriate
referrals of their patients under the supervision of the attending optometrists.
• 
The resident will be involved in an interdisciplinary approach to eye care and be
responsible for maintaining a working relationship with internal medicine and other
associated specialties to ensure total care of the patient. The sending and receiving
of electronic consults and personal interaction will be utilized.
• The resident will be responsible for appropriately ordering and performing/interpreting
special testing involved in eye care including visual fields (Humphrey and FDT Matrix),
optical coherence tomography (OCT), pachymetry, gonioscopy, and digital photography.
• The resident will be responsible for appropriately ordering imaging (CT, MRI, carotid
Doppler) and laboratory tests and consulting with other physicians when indicated.
• The resident will become proficient in techniques of physical assessment (ie: blood
pressure, pulse, cranial nerve screening, mental status assessment, carotid auscultation).
• The resident will become proficient in examination of ocular structure utilizing
a variety of techniques including contact and non-contact lens examination and scleral
depression.
Goal 2: The resident will gain proficiency in advanced treatment of eye disease including performing minor surgical procedures.
Objectives:
The resident will become proficient in the following:Goal 3: The resident will gain experience in sub-specialty eyecare.
Objectives:
Goal 4: The resident will develop effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Objectives:
The resident’s verbal skills will be assessed and measured through the following:
** The Resident will achieve the necessary points to achieve fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). A total of 50 points is needed: 20 points for the residency, 10 points for each case report, and 10 points for an Academy Poster. Should the Academy Poster not be accepted, a third case report of publishable quality may be substituted.
Goal 5: The resident will develop the necessary critical thinking and problem solving skills
to effectively and correctly diagnose challenging ocular disease cases.
Objectives:
Goal 6: The resident will be encouraged to develop into a leader of the optometric community and will develop the skills needed to provide lifelong contribution to the profession of optometry.
Objectives: 
Program Completion Requirements:
The following criteria must be met in order to successfully complete the residency and obtain a Residency Certificate
Instrumentation:
The Eye Clinic at Grand Rapids VA is well equipped with the latest in ophthalmic equipment.
Multi-Disciplinary Health Services at Grand Rapids VA
Residents Must Possess the Following:
Program Enrichment:
Biographical Sketches of Primary Faculty Members
Douglas A. Coon, OD, FAAO – Program Director
Dr. Coon graduated with honors from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State
University in May of 2001. He completed clinical internships at Michigan State University,
Saginaw Valley Special Needs Clinic and the Grand Rapids VA. Following graduation,
he completed his residency in Ocular Disease at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center.
He is board certified in Medical Optometry by the American Board of Certification
in Medical Optometry (ABCMO), which requires residency training and accreditation
by the National Board of Optometry in Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry (ACMO).
Dr. Coon serves as a reviewer for COPE certified continuing education, a consultant
for the ACOE on residency accreditations, and is a Fellow of and lecturer for the
American Academy of Optometry. He joined the Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic in
August of 2003 after serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry at the
University Of Houston College Of Optometry, where he was voted the Clinical Faculty
Member of the Year. He is certified as an Optometric Glaucoma Specialist by the State
of Texas and is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Michigan College of Optometry.
Dr. Coon and his wife, Dr. Kiersten Coon, enjoy spending time with their daughter,
Lauren, and participating in various sports and outdoor activities. douglas.coon@va.gov
Joy A. Kerns, OD – Clinical Attending Faculty
Dr. Kerns graduated with honors from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State
University in May 2004. She completed internships at Grand Rapids Ophthalmology, Grand
Rapids VA and the University Eye Clinic at Michigan College of Optometry. Following
graduation, she completed her residency training in ocular disease at the Battle Creek
VA Medical Center in June 2005. She is board certified in Medical Optometry by the
American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry (ABCMO), which requires residency
training and accreditation by the National Board of Optometry in Advanced Competence
in Medical Optometry (ACMO). Dr. Kerns serves as a reviewer for COPE certified continuing
education and is a consultant for the ACOE on residency accreditations. Dr. Kerns
spent a short amount of time as an independent primary care optometrist prior to joining
the Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic in December 2005 as a full-time staff optometrist.
She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Michigan College of Optometry and is
responsible for proctoring fourth year optometry interns and also lecturing to the
third year ocular disease class. Dr. Kerns and her husband, Josh, have two daughters.
joy.kerns@va.gov
Biographical Sketch of Current Resident
Meagan Baker OD.
Dr. Baker joined the Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic as an Ocular Disease resident
in July 2010. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Michigan Technological University
in May 2006 & graduated with highest honors from Ferris State University’s Michigan
College of Optometry in May 2010, earning her Doctorate in Optometry. Her area of
interest is in primary care optometry with a focus on ocular pathology. She is involved
in the American Academy of Optometry, the American Optometric Association and the
Michigan Optometric Association. She owns a home with her husband in Big Rapids Michigan
& enjoys spending time outdoors, camping & kayaking.
Biographic Sketches of Past Residents:
Ryan Brown, OD – Ocular Disease Resident - 2009-2010
Dr. Brown completed his residency training in June of 2010. He accepted a position at a private practice in Northern Michigan where is responsible for ocular disease management and is on staff at the local hospital. During his residency, Dr. Brown had two posters accepted for presentation at the American Academy of Optometry: “The Interdisciplinary Co-management of Diabetes Mellitus and Severe Hyperlipidemia with Resulting Lipemia Retinalis” was presented at the 2009 American Academy of Optometry in Orlando, Florida and “Anemic Retinopathy Associated with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia” was presented at the 2010 American Academy of Optometry in San Franscisco, California. brorya1@gmail.com brorya1@gmail.com
Brent Beldyga, OD: Residency Year 2008 – 2009
Dr. Beldyga completed his residency training in June of 2009. He was appointed as
a staff optometrist / low vision optometrist at the Saginaw VA Medical Center and
is Clinical Assistant Professor at the Michigan College of Optometry. Dr. Beldyga
was the first resident for the Grand Rapids VA and was instrumental in making the
program a success. brent.beldyga2@va.gov
The City of Grand Rapids:
Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids is rated among the top cities
in the U.S., and combines sophisticated charm with midwestern friendliness. Known
for being safe and clean, it’s a “walking” city. The downtown features a major new
convention center with five star experiences: hotels, restaurants, and relaxation.
Minutes away from spectacular Lake Michigan beaches and beach towns, Grand Rapids
is known for its major art and cultural events, plays, museums, and a world-class
botanical garden.
Visit this Website to find out more: http://www.visitgrandrapids.org/visit.php
