Ophthalmology residency program gets high rating

  • Published
  • By Cyndy Karras
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The American Academy of Ophthalmology recently ranked the ophthalmology residency program at Wilford Hall Medical Center here as one of the top residency programs in the nation.

The ranking is based on high scores on an in-training ophthalmology exam called the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program. The exam measures each resident's performance and gives faculty a look at the program's strengths and weaknesses.

"The ranking is a reflection of the quality of the teaching program," said Col. (Dr.) David Holck, ophthalmology program director. "It's critical for the residents to have the best knowledge under their belt when they leave."

During a 36-month training period, residents learn in different military environments and use emerging technology to better perform strategies once they graduate.

Each year, residents must meet high standards of excellence to demonstrate their clinical and surgical knowledge. They are required to do extra reading, attend lectures five times a week and do two research projects.

On top of vigorous extracurricular preparation, residents receive hands-on training with cutting-edge technology. The newest addition to the program is a virtual reality simulator.

Dr. Holck emphasizes how unique this simulator is and how it allows his military residents to perform high risk surgeries. It is an added bonus to the already advanced curriculum.

In their senior year, residents participate in a medical humanitarian mission where they treat indigent patients in Central America. Residents perform a public service while conducting medical operations under austere conditions.

Like all residency programs, there are fundamental requirements, but Dr. Holck says the program at Wilford Hall has a unique specialty in medicine.

Residents are exposed to three different areas that their civilian counterparts are not, like working with war related victims in the burn unit, participating in medical humanitarian missions, and performing over 4,000 refractive surgeries.

The Ophthalmology Residency Program at Wilford Hall is also the largest in the Department of Defense, and has a higher patient volume than civilian clinics.

The program also received a five-year accreditation, which is the maximum allowed by the Residency Review Committee. To remain accredited, Dr. Holck says the faculty meets regularly to discuss topics and issues within the department, remains proactive, and continues to look for opportunities for advancement.

Currently, the program has added an extra rotation and will increase the number of residents from 15 to 18 next July. This will include 12 Air Force and 6 Army residents. All residents do their rotations at Wilford Hall Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center.

"Residents breathe life into the teaching program," said Dr. Holck. "The expectations are high, but the product is equally as high." 

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