1124 S. State Street
Big Rapids, Michigan
[email protected]
(231) 591-3700
WJB Dorn VA Medical Center
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
Phone: (803) 776-4000
Fax: (803)695-7960
Number of MCO Students per Rotation:
2 Summer
2 Fall
2 Spring
Type of Practice:
Veterans Administration Medical Center and Outpatient Clinic; Multi-disciplinary
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: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/hcw.html
This requirment 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.
ADDITIONAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS BEFORE ROTATION:
The following must be verified through documented confirmation or through student attestation-
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Influenza Vaccine
- MMR Vaccine
- Varicella Vaccine
- TDAP Vaccine
- Negative TB test 90 days prior to start date
- Meningitis Vaccine
- Physical Exam
To examine, evaluate, diagnose, manage and treat conditions and diseases of the human ocular and visual system as well as how it relates to systemic disease. -- To maximize all possible subspecialties in optometry including: low vision, medically indicated contact lenses, binocular vision evaluation, and interpretation of visual fields, fluorescein angiographies, ultrasonography and other radiological imaging that corresponds to ocular diagnoses.
Please contact Dr. Sarah Wilson at least 8 weeks before the start of the rotation to complete any paperwork needed and find out the specific immunizations that you might need.
Contact Person:
Michelle Brown, O.D. Site Supervisor
E-mail: [email protected]
Patricia Kranz, O.D. Site Supervisor
E-mail: [email protected]
Clinical Teaching Faculty:
- Richard Gardner,OD, FAAO Chief of Optometry
- JulieAnne Roper, OD, MS- Staff Optometrist
- Anthony Van Alstine, OD, MS, FAAO - Staff Optometrist
- Michelle Brown, OD, FAAO- Staff Optometrist
- Patricia Kranz, OD - Site Supervisor
- Sarah Wilson, OD, FAAO - Staff Optometrist
Other Clinical Mentors:
- Three Primary Care Residents
Support Staff:
- Adequate support staff is provided. Presently we have 2 optometry techs, 1 visual field tech, 1 medical media photographer, 5 opticians, 1 low vision therapist and 1 low vision coordinator. We have 5+ clerks to check in, check out and schedule patients.
Operating Hours: Monday- Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 pm
Friday - 7:00 am. - 12 pm. Grand Rounds 1 - 2 pm.
Hours of Direct Patient Care by Extern Per Day: 8 hours Monday-Friday
Number of Patients Seen by Extern Per Day:
The student will be examining around 10 patients per day at the beginning of the rotation with an end result of up to 16 per day at the end of the rotation. The overall goal is to have the student maximize speed, efficiency and clinical competency by the end of their externship.
- Develop and fine-tune clinical skills
- Provide exposure to multi-disciplinary programs
- Develop and improve the knowledge of ocular disease in the geriatric population, including differential diagnoses, management, and treatment.
- Provide the maximum low vision service possible
- Develop proper patient education and communication skills
- To have exposure to a geriatric population with many complicated systemic conditions and how it may relate to ocular disorders.
- To encourage students to publish, research, and present interesting cases when the opportunity presents itself.
Not provided by the facility --Approximate cost: $450-600/month; opportunity for housing
a couple blocks away from hospital. Student is advised to contact a previous student
extern, current resident or attending as to the best places(s) to stay.
Columbia, SC: largest city in SC, population ~ 700,000
Near Fort Jackson; largest and most active initial entry training center in the US Army.
Home of the University of South Carolina and other smaller educational institutions.
Near Fort Jackson; largest and most active initial entry training center in the US Army.
Home of the University of South Carolina and other smaller educational institutions.
- Podiatry, Infectious Disease
- Neurology, Mental Health
- Rehabilitative Medicine, TBI
- General Practice Medicine
- Dentistry
- Surgery
- Dermatology
- GYN, Podiatry, Dermatology
- Internal Medicine
- Oncology, Radiology, Audiology - Urgent care, GU
- Fundus Camera with Fluorescein Angiography capabilities (2)
- NCT
- Pachymeter (3) - A/B Ultrasound (2)
- OCT (Cirrus) -Tonopens (3) - Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) - Goldmann Visual Field machine -We request new equipment annually to assist in improving our equipment.
- Anterior Segment photographic biomicroscope
- Humphrey VF Analyzer II, I series (x2) soon to upgrade both machines
- BIO with condensing lens X (15, 20, 25D,30D) one per room -Fundus CL (Goldmann 3- mirror) Gonioscopy Lenses (Many different types and models, 30+ total lenses) -Foreign Body Kits (5)
- Grand rounds, educational lectures, and journal club occurs.
- Electronic Medical Records (it is best for the student if they are a proficient typist)
- Access to VA library, Optometry clinic library, and USC School of Medicine Library. The student can request articles from Medline through the VA library.
- The facility offers an accredited one year optometric residency in Primary Care with 3 positions; however Low Vision, Contact Lenses and Disease are emphasized.
- Ophthalmology residency training at same clinical setting
- The clinic offers an accredited one year residency in ocular disease
If you have any questions, please contact (231) 591-2187 Dr. Sara Bush, Director of Externships - [email protected].