The program offers a variety of optometric and interdisciplinary care and is designed to foster a life-long commitment to learning. Graduates of this residency program are trained to deliver superlative clinical care in primary care optometry, to serve as optometric educators, and to serve the profession of optometry as leaders within the community and health care delivery system. CURRICULUM DESCR
IPTION
The curriculum of the Primary Eye Care Residency at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSUCO) is a 12.5 month program which incorporates a variety of components that aim to broaden the residents’ knowledge of general eye care and the management of ocular and systemic conditions. Our Residency Program takes pride in providing a challenging environment that encourages the development of “well rounded” optometric physicians. For this reason, though primarily clinically based, the program contains many other didactic and scholarly elements. Such diversity in an educational program ensures that each resident has multiple opportunities to collect information and gain valuable practical experience. The Primary Eye Care Residency curriculum consists of the following components:
Supervision and direction of patient care by student clinicians (OD-3 and OD-4) Observation and participation of care by specialized physicians
Direct patient care by the resident
After hours urgent care
Laboratory teaching
Preparation of a paper of publishable quality
Assistance in the preparation of posters and publishable abstracts Preparation and delivery of lectures by the resident
Attending Grand Rounds at NSU and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Journal review and discussion
Independent study
In addition to providing a wide variety of learning activities, the Primary Care Residency Program also provides the opportunity to work with a number of different Residency Supervisors possessing a variety of training and interests. The residents work via a rotating schedule, such that each individual may spend a period of time in a variety of clinics at the Eye Institute, as well as external clinical rotations with optometry and/or ophthalmology. External rotation may involve general ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, retina, glaucoma, pediatric optometry and/or ophthalmology, contact lenses, binocular vision and vision therapy, and low vision.

Each resident may select an area of emphasis in which to further their clinical knowledge. These may include ocular disease, cornea and contact lenses, pediatrics and binocular vision and geriatrics and low vision. Residents with an elective area of emphasis typically spend approximately 50-60% of their clinical time in primary care and approximately 40%-50% of their clinical time in these specialty services. This percentage may vary depending on the area of emphasis as well as throughout the year as the assignments rotate. The patient encounters and variety will also vary depending on the area of emphasis and nature of the clinical assignments. The schedule assignments are determined by the Residency Director and may be modified based on the needs of the College. NSUCO maintains seven positions within the Primary Eye Care Residency program; one (1) position allowing for additional emphasis in Cornea and Contact Lenses, two (2) positions allowing for an emphasis in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision, one (1) position allowing for an emphasis in Geriatrics and Low Vision and three (3) positions allowing additional emphasis in Ocular Disease. In addition, all residents participate in after-hours emergency patient care and laboratory teaching of students. These activities are also conducted on a rotating basis to ensure that each resident has ample and equal exposure. SCHOLARLY AND DIDACTIC ACTIVITIES
The Primary Eye Care Residency at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry includes a variety of didactic and scholarly activities. Residents are expected to attend regularly scheduled didactic events and conduct scholarly activity in areas relevant to patient care. Residents are required to attend lectures and discussions on a weekly basis in the Thursday morning Conference Series; which may include Bascom Palmer Grand Rounds, presentations/lectures on a variety of topics, journal reviews and/or student clinic conferences. In addition, they are strongly encouraged to attend at least one major optometric conference and any and all continuing education conferences held at the NSU College of Optometry. Professional leave and a travel stipend are provided to attend conferences. All residents must prepare a paper of publishable quality as a requirement of the residency program, and time is allotted to research and write such a paper during the course of the residency. Additional scholarly activity is both encouraged and rewarded; residents who submit and have accepted papers or posters as first author to be presented at educational meetings (e.g. AAO, AOA, SECO, ARVO) may be afforded additional time and funding to cover any registration and travel expenses pending approval by the Residency Director and the Dean. LENGTH OF PROGRAM AND WEEKLY HOURS
The program is 12.5 months in length, beginning the first week in July and ending mid-July of the following year. The Resident is expected to work 5.5 days per week. One half day for scholarly activities will be scheduled for portions of the year. The primary care clinics are open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday. There is evening clinic for Pediatrics and Contact Lenses on Wednesday until 8:00 pm and residents will be assigned to this clinic for portions of the year depending on their area of emphasis. All residents are expected to work for at least 8 months of the year in Saturday clinic. Saturday clinic is a half day from approximately 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. The clinical assignments vary and are determined by the Residency Director, with assignments rotating approximately every 4-6 months. Each resident will be responsible for after-hours emergencies, with the support of a Residency Supervisor, approximately 6 weeks of the year.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary is $32,500 for the 12.5 month period. Professional liability insurance is covered for patient care provided at NSU, health and dental insurance (commensurate to Faculty coverage), 5.5 vacation days, 3 personal days, 5 sick days and up to 10 professional developments days to attend conferences, workshops and seminars. Up to $750 travel stipend for continuing education. Business cards and clinic jackets will also be provided for each resident. SELECTION CRITERIA AND ELIGIBILITY
Every candidate must have graduated from an ACOE accredited College of Optometry to be considered. Every candidate will be considered in a fair and impartial manner. All candidates are required to submit the following materials to the Director of Residency Programs by February 1st:
1. Letter of intent
2. Current curriculum vitae (CV)
3. Official transcripts from optometry school
4. NSU Residency Application Form (available on-line)
5. Three (3) letters of recommendation (2 from individuals familiar with clinical
skills)
6. ORMatch application (even if the ORMatch deadline is later)
7. NBEO Scores
License eligible in state of Florida or eligible for licensure in another state to obtain a Faculty Certificate. Therefore, a passing score from Part I of the NBEO is required to be interviewed; Part II and TMOD scores submitted as soon as they are available. You must have demonstrated passing scores on Part II and TMOD prior to March 1st in order to be eligible for the matching process that occurs in March. Every candidate is required to take Part III of NBEO and scores submitted as soon as available. International students are responsible for obtaining a valid visa and social security number prior to the start of the program. Every candidate will be required to demonstrate adequate clinical and didactic knowledge through the following means:
1. Clinical faculty recommendations
2. Demonstrated self-study or research
3. Active involvement in student scholarly groups
4. Outside employment
5. Clinical questions on interview
Every candidate must submit to a personal interview by the Director of Residency Programs (telephone interviews are not permissible). Every candidate will be evaluated by members of the Interview Committee based upon:
1. Didactic and clinical knowledge
2. Interpersonal skills
3. Integrity
4. Adaptability
5. Motivation
6. Maturity
7. Patient management skills
REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION

In order to satisfactorily complete the Primary Care Residency and obtain a Certificate of Completion, the resident must achieve each of the following:
1. Receive overall satisfactory evaluations from the Residency Supervisor(s) and Residency Director.
2. Complete a paper or manuscript of publishable quality.
3. Attend and actively participate in all assigned resident conferences, unless excused by the Residency Director.
4. Prepare and deliver all Grand Round presentations and student lectures assigned.
5. Attend all scheduled clinical assignments, unless excused by Residency Director.
6. Complete all patient, didactic and scholarship logs in a timely manner and submit to
Residency Director when requested.
7. Attend the minimum number of local society meetings. CLINICAL SERVICES AT THE NSU COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
Primary Eye Care in Davie, Fort Lauderdale, and North Miami Beach
Pediatric Primary Care at Kids in Distress in Fort Lauderdale
Pediatrics and Binocular Vision in Davie (Pediatric Examinations, Special Populations, Strabismus Clinic and Vision Therapy)
Contact Lens Service in Davie and North Miami Beach
Glaucoma Service in Davie
Diabetes and Macula Service in Davie
Geriatrics Service in Davie
Low Vision Service in Davie
Lighthouse of Fort Lauderdale
EXTERNAL ROTATIONS (vary depending on area of emphasis)
Neuro-ophthalmology (Dr. Matt Kay)
Retina specialist (Dr. J. Harris Levy, Dr. Stuart Burgess)
Ocular oncology (Dr. Timothy Murray)
Cornea specialist (Dr. David Jones, Dr. William Tattler)
General ophthalmology (Dr. Keith Skonick, Dr. Wayne Bizer)
Oculo-plastic ophthalmology (Dr. Gil Epstein and Dr. David Tenzel)
Pediatric ophthalmology (Dr. Craig McKeown)
Pediatric optometry (Dr. Rick Morris)

