Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center Optometry Residency
Philosophy: To prepare optometrists for the provision of comprehensive primary optometric care for the adult patient. This requires mastery of clinical examination skills and development of astute clinical acumen. Our program is designed to facilitate professional growth focused on clinical problem solving and assimilation of experiences from multiple ophthalmic and medical specialties.
Facility: The Salem VA Medical Center is a 298 authorized bed teaching hospital, providing a full range of inpatient and outpatient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. The medical center provides primary care as well as specialty care, mental health, and extended care and rehabilitative services. There is an exceptional simulation center on site with an active education department. Salem VAMC has optometry school affiliations with Southern College of Optometry, Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the University of the Incarnate Word - Rosenberg School of Optometry, Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. Medical School affiliations include the University of Virginia Medical School, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Including medicine, optometry and other healthcare professions, Salem VAMC has over 80 affiliations with colleges and universities.
Learning Opportunities:
Clinical: We provide, via guided experience, the opportunity to diagnose and manage a variety of ophthalmic pathologies and conditions. Our clinical privileges are designed to allow us to provide exceptional ophthalmic care. Residents typically have a multitude of experiences in diagnosing and managing anterior segment, posterior segment and neurologic diseases. Low vision care is also provided. Clinical experiences are gained via provision of care in the eye clinic, as well as rotations through multiple medical specialty clinics, and on-call services.
Didactic: Residents have the opportunity to learn from presentations and workshops on different medicine and ophthalmic topics. We deliver focused presentations and workshops where the attendings’ intent is to teach the residents the necessary skills and knowledge to handle various related ophthalmic consequences of systemic disease. Residents also have the opportunity to attend presentations at medical grand rounds.
Interprofessional: Rotations through different medicine clinics, along with the instruction in concepts of medicine, are the forte for this program. As a resident, you will have to opportunity to work in the clinic with various medicine physicians who specialize in different practices. The resident will have the opportunity to see patients in their clinic and learn from their experiences.
Scholastic: Residents will have the opportunity to develop skills in teaching students and other professionals regarding topics in ocular disease. Additionally, residents will receive guidance on the preparation of a manuscript of publishable quality
Learning Environment: We believe in providing residents an opportunity to not only see a vast array of pathologies, but to be actively engaged in the cognitive processes of developing pertinent diagnoses, along with relevant differentials, and appropriate treatment plans. It is through actively engaging in the decision process that clinicians can develop proficiency in analytical skills. Patients are commonly followed longitudinally in the resident’s clinic affording the resident the opportunity to gain feedback in clinical outcomes. An attending is dedicated to resident supervision on any given day without the distraction of seeing a separate clinic.
Staff:
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Dr. Daniel Eckermann is Chief of the Optometry Section. He received his OD degree from Ohio State University in 1984 and completed a VA residency in Chillicothe & Columbus, Ohio in 1985. He came to the Salem VA Medical Center immediately after his residency. He established an affiliation with Southern College of Optometry for the creation of a student externship rotation as well as the residency program, and he is part-time clinical faculty for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Virginia Tech.
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Dr. Scott Slagle joined the staff of the Salem VA Medical Center in 2000 and serves as the residency program supervisor. He received his OD degree from Southern College of Optometry in 1999 and completed a residency in primary eye care at the Memphis VA Medical Center. He previously served as an instructor at Southern College of Optometry and owned/operated a private practice in Rocky Mount, Virginia. He holds a faculty appointment as an assistant professor for the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. He has received numerous clinical awards and has many noteworthy publications in the optometric literature.
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Dr. Angela Musick joined the clinic staff in June 2005. She received her OD degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in 2001 and completed a residency in primary care optometry at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. She previously served as staff optometrist at the Lorain, Ohio VA Outpatient Clinic before coming to Salem and has had private practice experience in Danville, Virginia. She serves as an attending in the supervision and instruction of students and residents. Dr. Musick established a student externship program with UAB and is part-time clinical faculty for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Virginia Tech.
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Dr. Scott DePoe joined the staff of the Salem VAMC in 2013. He graduated with honors from Southern College of Optometry in 2012 and completed a residency in primary care at the Memphis VA Medical Center. He has presented at Southeastern Congress of Optometry and has received many noteworthy clinical honors. He serves as an attending in the supervision of students and residents.
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Dr. Reagan Darner graduated with honors from Southern College of Optometry in 2012 and joined the Salem VAMC staff in 2013. She completed a residency in vision therapy and rehabilitation at Eyecare Professionals PC. She has published research in the evaluation of optical coherence tomography.
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Dr. Alicia Greene graduated from the New England College of Optometry in 2011. She completed a residency in Primary Care Optometry at the Salem VA Medical center in 2012. She then worked in a private practice before joining the staff of our hospital in February of 2015. Dr. Greene is published in the American Academy of Optometry’s journal, Optometry and Vision Science. She serves as an attending in the supervision of students and residents.
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Schedule:
- Optometry works with a compressed schedule
- 9-hour workdays
- 7:15am to 5:00pm Monday – Thursday (Lunch from 12:00p to 12:45p)
- 7:15am to 4:00pm Friday
- Wednesday mornings: Didactic and Education Time for journal club, rotations through other clinics, or academic enrichment
- Every Other Friday Off
Location: Situated in the Shenandoah Valley with the city of Roanoke, Salem is located between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains and “possesses all the beauty and grandeur that nature can bestow”
Personal Life: The Cities of Salem and Roanoke are nestled together in a valley boasting the largest municipality in Southwest Virginia. Its Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had a population of 308,707 during the 2010 census. The area is renowned for its natural beauty. There are a multitude of natural, cultural, and social activities available within the valley. (https://www.visitroanokeva.com)
Contact Information:
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W. Scott Slagle, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Optometry Residency Supervisor
Salem VA Medical Center
Address:
Eye Clinic 112E1
1970 Roanoke Boulevard
Salem, VA 24153
Phone:
(540) 982-2463 Ext 2826
Email:
Scott.slagle@va.gov
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Cheryl E. Ervin, O.D.
Director of Residencies
Southern College of Optometry
Address:
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone:
(901) 722-3201
Fax:
(901) 722-3325
Email:
cervin@sco.edu
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