Ocular Disease - Refractive and Ocular Surgery

Michela Kenning, OD, FAAO

This Residency Program in Refractive and Ocular Surgery at Chu Vision Institute seeks to advance competency of graduate optometrists in the medical management of ocular disease and co-management of ocular surgery with specific emphasis on anterior segment disease and management of refractive, cataract, cornea, and glaucoma surgical patients.

This residency focuses on anterior segment disease and ocular surgery including cornea, cataract, refractive surgery, dry eye, and glaucoma within a private clinic and ambulatory surgery center. There is a strong emphasis on the pre-and post-operative management of ocular surgery patients as well as advanced medical management of patients with ocular disease. The resident will become proficient at managing patients with premium cataract surgery technologies. The resident will also have an opportunity to participate in clinical research, observe surgery, and work with ophthalmic technician and optometry externs.

Program Goals:

Goal 1. Increase knowledge and skill in co-management of medical-surgical eye conditions

Goal 2. Strengthen the resident's expertise in management of patients electing to have premium cataract technology

Goal 3. Enhance resident's skill and knowledge in the management of the refractive surgery patient

Goal 4. Expand the resident's knowledge in the management of the dry eye patient

Goal 5. Encourage the resident's pursuit of scholarly activities

Expected range of hours of attendance in a typical week of activities is 40-50 hours. Site hours are Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30. A typical week will included 4.5 days of clinic with ½  day each week for research/educational time.  The resident will have after hours on-call responsibilities, under the supervision of a site supervising provider.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to the resident upon satisfactory completion of residency requirements as outlined in the Pacific University College of Optometry Administrative Guide for Affiliated Residency Programs and Chu Vision Institute guidelines for residency program completion.

• Three letters of recommendation are required.


• Candidates must provide a brief essay stating reasons for applying to this program.


• A personal interview will be required.


• The resident will be selected from among candidates of whom if hired, can present evidence of legal right to live and work in the United States.


• All applicants will be evaluated for selection without regard to sex, race, color, creed, age, national origin, or non-disqualifying physical disabilities.

 For additional information about this residency program, please contact:

Jessica Heckman, OD

Residency Program Coordinator

9117 Lyndale Ave S Bloomington, MN 55378

Phone: 952-835-1235 Fax: 952-835-0534

Jessica.heckman@chuvision.com

• This program uses the Optometric Residency Match (ORMatch). All applicants must complete and return application forms by the ORMatch application deadline. Supporting documents should be submitted directly to the Residency Coordinator no later than January 31. Applicants must complete the ORMatch application and forward it to the ORMatch as directed in the application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all supporting documentation, including the complete transcript of the applicant’s optometric education, is submitted to each entity involved, e.g. ORMatch and the residency site if required.


• Applicant must have earned an O.D. degree, or will have earned such a degree by the time of matriculation, from an ACOE accredited school/college of optometry.


• Applicant will furnish an official transcript from his/her school/college of optometry. The ideal candidate will have a cumulative grade point average greater than 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the professional optometric curriculum.


• Applicant must pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations required for Minnesota licensure and furnish official transcripts when available. If accepted, the resident must be able to obtain a Minnesota optometry license prior to the starting date of the residency program.