Oscar Johnson VAMC

Honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional healthcare that improves their health and well-being.

Leaders in rural healthcare-focused on excellence-putting Veterans first.

ALL VA's nationwide are requiring the COVID-19 Vaccination. This mandate has been established by the national VHA Office of Academic Affiliations in conjunction with the CDC, as it has been added to the CDC guidelines web site.

This requirement does not include boosters, just the initial dose(s). WJB Dorn VAMC will NOT be accepting any exemptions from trainees at this time.

Much like the Influenza vaccine, all Health Professions Trainees (HPT) training in a VA facility must be fully vaccinated or have an exemption filed (medical or religious) with the Office of the Designated Education Officer at the VA using the following VA Form 10-263.

Please contact Dr. Dean Hartwig, OD 6 weeks prior to the beginning of your rotation to verify dates, times, directions, parking, and any other information.   Please check with the site for specific health testing requirements.

Contact Person

Dean Hartwig, OD
E-mail: [email protected]

Clinical Teaching Faculty

• Dean Hartwig, OD
• Paul Raboin, OD
• Nelson Hassell, OD

Support Staff

• Optometric technicians
• Office Staff

Externs Scheduled Hours

Monday, 6:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 6:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Number of Patients Seen by Extern Per Day

Minimum of one complete exam per hour and follow-ups as needed.
(Requirement may change depending upon which rotation and progression throughout the semester).

To improve the extern's ability to provide high quality, full scope optometric experience at our medium size rural VA facility to MCO fourth year interns.  We will provide as much "hands on" clinical experience as possible.

It is the responsibility of the intern to find housing. Cost is estimated at $650/month

Iron Mountain, MI

Population of 7,363

Kingsford, MI

Population of 4,981

Iron Mountain offers

All of the benefits of the beautiful upper peninsula.  Skiing (downhill & cross country), hiking, golfing, fishing, historical sites and great pasties.

• Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer
• OCT Zeiss Cirrus 4000 series
• Topcon KR 8900/Autorefractor
• Tonometer
• Corneal Pachymetry
• Fundus Camera

• Internet access available.