2024-25 Resident: Mariah Solcher, OD
Program Description
Program Details
The program focuses on advanced competency in the clinical skills and scholarly development of the residents by exposing the residents to direct patient care enhanced by lectures, conferences, presentations, and consultation with other medical services. Residents will become proficient in ocular disease diagnosis and management, and comanaging systemic conditions that have ocular manifestations.
The optometry clinic is located 1.5 miles south of the main VA campus since Sept 2009, and includes 17 examination lanes, a clinic conference area, four specialty testing rooms, and a low vision rehab training room. Residents have access to a retinal imaging, OCT , Visual fields , electrodiagnostics, and low vision rehab assistive devices. This program is designed to offer residents the opportunity to participate in primary eye care examinations, ocular disease management and provide low vision blind rehabilitation services . This multi-faceted experience helps to produce well-rounded, capable Optometric physicians who will have an advantage on entering whichever practice setting they desire.
Educational Opportunities
The resident will have the opportunity to work with fourth year optometry students. The resident will be involved in Eye clinic Department Grand Rounds and participate in lectures and a Resident journal club. The resident will be required to attend at minimum, one professional meeting such as the American Academy of Optometry, or other state meeting , or Heart of America.
The didactic portion of the residency has been designed to help the residents become proficient in analyzing and applying medical literature , as well as discussion and presentation of cases and topics with fellow colleagues and students. This is accomplished during monthly journal review meetings and Optometric Grand Rounds.
Teaching Responsibilities for Resident/Graduate Student
During the second half of the residency, the residents have the opportunity to proctor 4th year optometry students.
The Resident will participate and [present monthly Grand Rounds to Eye clinic providers and students as well as monthly Journal Club reviews of peer reviewed journal articles
Vision Rehabilitation Services at the Advanced Low Vision Clinic (ALVA) Wichita, KS
The mission of Blind Rehabilitation Services (BRS) is to assist eligible veterans and active duty Service members with a visual impairment in developing the skills needed for personal independence and successful reintegration into the community and family environment.
When basic low vision care provided in Optometry and Ophthalmology is no longer sufficient, veterans may receive outpatient care at our Advanced Low Vision Clinic. Services include, but not limited to:
ALVC staff includes Low Vision optometrist, Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS).
The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) coordinator is also present at the ALVC. The VIST coordinator provides lifetime care coordination for veteran with visual impairments and often serve as the entry point into the continuum of care for Blind Rehabilitation Services within the VAMC.
Optometry Staff
Michelle L Dent , OD FAAO attended Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Oklahoma graduating class 2000; She completed her Residency in Ocular Disease at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma . She joined the Robert J . Dole VA staff July 2001 upon completion of her Residency. She serves as the Chief of the Optometry service, Student program Coordinator since 2001 , and Residency coordinator since 2008 .
Sean Knaak, OD, received his Bachelors of Science degree in Biology at Washburn University in 1999. He graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry, in 2003. After graduating he completed his optometry residency at the Kansas City VAMC. He has worked in academia, private practice and commercial practice. He joined the Optometry clinic staff at Wichita VAMC in 2007. He also provides low vision rehab optometry to visually impaired veterans at Wichita VAMC.
John Volosin, OD, is a native of Kansas and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Kansas State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Emporia State University. Dr Volosin graduated from the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry in 2002. He was in private practice for five years prior to joining the Robert J Dole VA Medical Center as a staff optometrist in 2007.
Bryce A Krehbiel, OD FAAO, a native of Kansas who graduated from Kansas State University in 2013. He completed his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2017 from the University of St. Louis College of Optometry. Dr. Krehbiel went on to complete a residency in Primary Care and Low Vision Rehabilitation at Robert J Dole VA where he later joined the staff in July 2018.
Julie A Bricker, OD, a native of Iowa who graduated from Creighton University in 2017. She completed his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2021 from the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Bricker went on to complete a residency in Primary Care and Low Vision Rehabilitation at Robert J Dole VA where she later joined the staff in November 2023.
Program Location, Salary, Contacts
Location
Robert J . Dole VAMC
Eye Clinic
Parklane Shopping Center
949 S Glendale
Wichita, KS 67218
Length of Program
Salary and Benefits
Program Coordinator
Michelle Dent, O.D. FAAO
Phone: 1 (888) 878-6881 ext 57100
Low Vision Rehab Coordinator
Sean C. Knaak
Phone: 1 (888) 878-6881 ext 57100
Expected Weekly Hours
Five weekdays; 40 clinic hours a week (no after hours or weekend call)
The resident is expected to spend additional time in self-study.
Requirements for Completion
Completion of the 12 months of residency attending the assigned clinic services
Non-discrimination
The Robert J . Dole VAMC Optometry Residency Program provides equal educational opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, or sex.
Optometry Residency Program Admission Requirements
Interviews typically start in January and end the third week of February. Qualified applicants, who have applied through ORMS, should email to schedule an interview.
For additional information, contact Dr. Michelle Dent; phone 1 (888) 878-6881 ext 57100
Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
Email: accredit@theacoe.org
Address: 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 301, St. Louis, MO 63141
Website: www.theACOE.org
Phone: 800-365-2219
