Residency in Vision Rehabilitation, with Emphasis in Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation, and Pediatric Optometry
Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD
Wow Vision Therapy, LLC a
Fortenbacher Vision Group, LLC.
Grand Rapids, Michigan and
Saint Joseph, Michigan
affiliated with
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
PROGRAM MISSION
The resident will experience a unique opportunity to develop proficiency in developmental vision, binocular vision, and rehabilitative vision therapy and pediatrics. Merging principles in cognitive visual neuroscience with human factors in private practice, the post-graduate clinician will acquire the skills needed to excel in education, research, and patient care.
Goal 1: Enhance the resident's clinical skills in developmental and functional vision disorders and pediatrics
Objective: The resident will develop proficiency in the delivery of eye and vision care, principally directed toward vision therapy and vision rehabilitation and pediatrics.
Outcome: The resident will provide eye and vision care services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, demonstrating proficiency in reviewing intake information, obtaining a case history, and performing a comprehensive eye health and visual evaluation.
These encounters will include but not be limited to: visual efficiency, visual processing, visual integration, strabismus, developmental disorders of spatial vision, attention deficit, autistic spectrum and acquired brain injury disorders.
Measure: The resident will report the number of patient encounters of this type using an activity log.
Goal 2: Develop the resident's expertise in the differential diagnosis and management of functional visual system disturbances.
Objective 1: The resident will anticipate the appropriate diagnostic procedures based on the patient's total case history.
Outcome: The resident will consistently select and successfully perform high yield procedures for each patient, including differentiating disease conditions masquerading as binocular disorders and the inverse.
Measure: The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to determine progress in test selection and application.
Objective 2: The resident will rank order diagnoses optimally suited to each patient.
Outcome: The resident will consistently select the most appropriate diagnosis or diagnoses for each patient, with increasing independence as the residency program progresses.
Measure: The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the resident's diagnostic acumen.
Objective 3: The resident will determine the best management based on the diagnoses.
Outcome: The resident will consistently devise an appropriate management plan for each patient in order to best address the patient's needs.
Measure: The resident will be evaluated quarterly by the supervisor to assess the resident's management skills.
Goal 3: Advance the resident's skills in technology-based tests utilized for special procedures.
Objective 1: The resident will develop proficiency in administering and interpretingVisagraph for eye movements involved in reading
Outcome: The resident will conduct and evaluate the results of these procedures for at least 100 patient encounters.
Measure: The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using an activity log.
Objective 2: The resident will develop expertise in the utilization of advanced ophthalmic diagnostic instrumentation to investigate disease and establish the functional nature of strabismus and amblyopia.
Outcome: The resident will perform and/or interpret tests with advanced ophthalmic diagnostic instruments including threshold visual fields, retinal photography for at least 50 patients.
Measure: The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using the activity log.
Goal 4: Expand the resident's skills in vision therapy procedures.
Objective 1: The resident will develop proficiency in administering vision therapy procedures according to textbook guidelines, as well as adapt, customize and innovate as required for optimal patient care.
Outcome: The resident will administer at least three procedures on each vision therapy patient encounter, for a minimum of 100 patient encounters, reflecting a balance between computerized and non-computerized procedures.
Measure: The resident will report on the number of patient encounters of this type using an activity log.
Goal 5: Develop the resident's skills in presenting topics to fellow professionals.
Objective: The resident will acquire skills needed to present information publically in a group setting.
Outcome: The resident will present lectures during meetings to include weekly on-site case conferences and at least one presentation to a group off-site. .
Measure: The resident will report monthly on these types of activities using an activity log.
Goal 6: The Resident will engage in scholarly activities reflective of post-graduate study.
Objective: The resident will assist in the preparation of a professional manuscript based on patient care encounters on site.
Outcome: The resident will prepare a manuscript (paper) of publishable quality. This may be submitted for publication. They will also have the opportunity to present a poster at the annual meeting of COVD, AOA, Academy, or NORA.
Measure: The resident will complete the manuscript by the designated completion date of the Residency program.
CURRICULUM
The educational objectives of the curriculum are designed to facilitate the mission, stated goals, and objectives of the program as follows:
Program Goal 1
Objective: The resident will develop proficiency in the delivery of eye and vision care, principally directed toward vision therapy and vision rehabilitation
Learning Activity: The resident will provide eye and vision care services involving a minimum of 1000 patient encounters, demonstrating advanced skills in reviewing intake information, obtaining a case history, and performing a comprehensive eye health and visual evaluation.
These encounters will include but not be limited to: visual efficiency, visual processing, visual integration, strabismus, developmental disorders of spatial vision, attention deficit, autistic spectrum and acquired brain injury disorders.
Outcome: The resident will develop advanced skills in the management of patients as mentioned above.
Program Goal 2
Objective: The resident's expertise in the diagnosis and management of refractive, physiologic and pathologic conditions of the eye, theadnexa, visual pathways and central nervous system will be enhanced.
Learning Activity: The resident will provide services to a significant number of patients with refractive, physiologic and pathologic conditions of the eye and vision, particularly in areas of a functional/behavioral evaluation in addition to the routine optometric examination. The resident will formulate a diagnosis based on the results of the procedures performed. These encounters will include but not be limited to: strabismus, amblyopia, binocular dysfunctions, accommodative dysfunctions, visual-auditory integration dysfunctions, visual motor dysfunctions, visual perceptual dysfunctions, visual information processing problems, ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum, acquired brain injury from stroke or from trauma.
Outcome: The resident will become highly proficient in the performance and interpretation of basic and advanced ocular examination techniques on patients with complex ocular and vision anomalies and will attain advanced skills in the management of these patients.
Program Goal 3
Objective: The resident will utilize a wide variety of diagnostic procedures and instrumentation while caring for patients.
Learning Activity: The resident will perform and/or interpret ophthalmic diagnostic tests that can include electro diagnostics, ophthalmic photography, and relevant laboratory and radiological procedures.
Outcome: The resident will develop advanced knowledge of specialized diagnostic procedures and instrumentation.
Program Goal 4
Objective: Expanding the resident's skills in vision therapy procedures.
Learning Activity: The resident will develop proficiency in administering vision therapy procedures according to textbook guidelines, as well as adapt, customize and innovate as required for optimal patient care.
Outcome: The resident will administer at least three procedures on each vision therapy patient encounter, for a minimum of 100 patient encounters, reflecting a balance between computerized and non-computerized procedures.
Program Goal 5
Objective: The resident will develop and present original presentations to other professionals.
Learning Activity: The resident will acquire skills needed to present information publically in a group setting, to include lectures during on-site case conferences and to a group off-site.
Outcome: The resident will develop skills in providing presentations to health care professionals.
Program Goal 6
Objective: The resident will engage in scholarly activity.
Learning Activity: The resident will prepare a manuscript of publishable quality on an approved topic reviewed and critiqued by the supervisor. The resident will have the opportunity to submit the paper to be published. The resident also has the opportunity to submit a poster to either AOA, AAO, COVD or NORA
Outcome: The resident will develop an appreciation for scholarly activity and its importance to the profession.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A. All applicants must complete the SCO application. All applicants must complete the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch), and provide all required supporting documentation by the deadline of January 30 to be considered for an SCO program.
- You must have already passed NBEO Part I, II and TMOD in order to apply to one of our programs through ORMatch.
- You must have passed NBEO Part III and ISE (if applicable) in order to begin an SCO affiliated residency program.
- Those applying to a VA hospital or a state that does not require TMOD to obtain licensure are an exception if TMOD is not passed on first attempt.
B. Applicant must have earned an O.D. degree, or will have earned such a degree by the time of matriculation from a school/college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
C. Applicant will furnish a transcript to ORMatch from his/her school/college of optometry.
D. Applicant must pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations required for state licensure. If accepted, the resident is expected to obtain the appropriate state license.
E. A personal interview will be required.
F. The College affirms that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity at or affiliated with Southern College of Optometry on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, disability, or national origin.
LETTER OF INTENT
All applicants selected for admission must sign a standard letter of intent.
LENGTH OF RESIDENCY
Each residency is one calendar year in length, commencing July first.
LEAVE POLICY
The resident is eligible for thirteen days annual, sick, or personal leave. The resident is also eligible for 5 educational leave days to attend approved professional meetings. Annual and educational leave is granted with prior approval of the Supervisor in conjunction with the SCO Director of Residency Programs.
STATUS OF THE RESIDENT
A. The resident is defined as an employee of The Fortenbacher Vision Group, LLC, and the residency stipend is paid by Wow Vision Therapy, LLC. No tuition or fees are applicable.
B. The resident should apply for optometric license in Michigan prior to the beginning of the residency.
C. Professional liability protection for residents for professional activity performed at Wow Vision Therapy, LLC. Is provided by St. Joseph Vision Therapy Center, LLC a division of the Fortenbacher Vision Group LLC.
D. Residents will be required to present credentials according to the Southern College of Optometry policy for credentialing of residents.
E. Resident privileges will be determined by the Wow Vision Therapy, LLC
CRITERIA FOR COMPLETION OF RESIDENCY
A. The resident is required to deliver clinical services at a level that is satisfactory to the Residency Supervisor, Director of Residency Programs, and the SCO and Dr. Dan L. Fortenbacher as Optometric Director of Wow Vision Therapy, LLC. Normal operational hours are from 9:00 A.M. until 8:15 P.M., Monday through Thursday, 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Friday, Saturday (September-May) 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M with the resident working a five-day week. The resident is expected to be on site during all scheduled working hours 40-45 hours per week, except when attending or delivering lectures or doing approved visitations. The resident will occasionally be required to be on call.
B. The resident is required to keep a record of patient contacts. The Supervisor of the Residency Program and the Director of Residency Programs will review the resident's activity periodically.
C. The resident is required to write a publication quality paper based on original research, literature review, or a clinical case. This paper will be turned in to the supervisor and the Director of Residency Programs at SCO. It may be submitted for publication if the resident decides to do so.
D. The resident will be required to deliver an oral presentation at the annual Resident Weekend, held on the campus at SCO.
E. The resident is expected to perform in a professional manner in the delivery of patient care services and to observe those proprieties of conduct and courtesies that are consistent with the rules and regulations governing Wow Vision Therapy, LLC and Southern College of Optometry Residency Programs.
F. The resident is required to participate in and complete the requirements set forth in the curriculum.
G. Upon successful completion of the Residency Program, the Residency Supervisor and the Director of Residency Programs will recommend the granting of certification to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
H. Any resident accepted for training can be dismissed, without receiving a certificate of completion, for infractions of the rules and regulations of Wow Vision Therapy, LLC or those set forth by Southern College of Optometry, or for any action which jeopardizes the safety of patients, personnel, or physical facilities.
A resident rotating through a hospital based (or similar) residency program must adhere to all facility policies and procedures, including but not limited to, receiving all required immunizations or showing appropriate medical documentation that he/she is in full medical compliance with required immunizations. In addition, if a resident cannot receive a flu or similar immunization due to potential allergic reaction, medical documentation must be made available to the Program Supervisor prior to the program's start date. A resident should receive the required immunizations provided by the facility when appropriate. Otherwise, any costs incurred will be the resident's responsibility. Any grievances should be submitted in writing to SCO's Director for Residency Programs utilizing the procedures found in the Residency Handbook.
STIPEND
A residency stipend will be provided for the year of training paid by the clinic. The stipend is currently $42,000 for the 2021-2022 year. Compensation is not contingent upon productivity of the resident. Additional benefits such as FICA and professional liability insurance are also funded by the clinic.
HEALTH INSURANCE
The resident will have the opportunity to purchase health insurance through Wow Vision Therapy, LLC.
MOONLIGHTING POLICY
Moonlighting is defined as employment outside of the residency during the term of the residency. Moonlighting is permitted while enrolled as a resident in this program ONLY with prior approval of the program supervisor. Moonlighting is not permitted to interfere with or be substituted for any assigned residency activity.
ACCREDITATION
The residency program at Wow Vision Therapy, LLC is fully accredited by the ACOE, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
Upon satisfying all the requirements for completion of the program as determined by the Supervisor of the Residency Program and the Director of the Residency Programs, a Certificate of Completion will be awarded to the resident by Southern College of Optometry.
REPORTING STATUS
The resident reports to the Supervisor of the residency program. The Supervisor reports directly to the SCO Director of Residency Programs who in turn reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Southern College of Optometry.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Cheryl E. Mengelt, O.D.
Director, Residency Programs
Southern College of Optometry
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 722-3201
email: [email protected]