Melissa Oltz

Education

·             Optometric Residency Training in Ocular Disease. Wilkes-Barre VAMC, July, 2007 through June, 2008, Wilkes-Barre, PA

·             O.D.  Illinois College of Optometry, May, 2007, Chicago, IL

·             B.S.  Cornell University, January, 2003, Ithaca, NY

·             A.S.  Parkland College, May, 2000, Champaign, IL

Clinical Experience and Externships

·             Wilkes-Barre VAMC in Wilkes-Barre, PA, July 2007-July, 2008. (Ocular Disease Residency) Retinal disease and glaucoma management/ co-management, low vision, cataract referrals and post op, anterior segment disease, and specialty contact lens fits.

·             Sears Optical in Johnson City, NY and Wilkes-Barre, PA, July 2007- July, 2008, and America’s Best in Dewitt, NY, August 2007- present. Comprehensive examinations on all age groups, contact lens fits, diagnosing and referring patients for treatment of ARMD, Glaucoma, and mature cataracts, and referring patients for suspected neurological diseases/lesions.

·             Illinois Eye Institute in the Pediatrics/Binocular Vision and Cornea/Contact Lens Departments: Chicago, IL, February, 2007-May, 2007 (Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Contact Lenses) Fit Keratoconic, Multifocal, RGP, and Soft Lenses. Provided vision care for infants, toddlers, and developmentally disabled adults and children.

·             Eye Care Associates of Fairfield, PC in Southport, CT, November, 2006- February, 2007 (Pediatrics and Vision Therapy). Provided vision therapy for children and adults suffering from binocular, oculomotor, and accommodative dysfunctions.

·             VA Connecticut Healthcare System/ Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center in West Haven, CT from August, 2006- November, 2006 (Low Vision and Advanced Eye Care). Examined and worked with legally blind veterans with end stage ocular diseases. Prescribed low vision devices tailored to the veterans’ needs and goals.

·             Black Hills Regional Eye Institute in Rapid City, SD from May, 2006-August, 2006 (Primary Eye Care, Advanced Eye Care, and Pre/Post Laser Surgery/CAT Surgery). Provided pre and post op. care and instructions for LASIK patients, fit specialty contact lenses, worked along with ophthalmologists in examining and treating patients with macular degeneration, glaucoma, ocular trauma, vein and artery occlusions, and macular holes.

·             Illinois Eye Institute Primary Care: Chicago, IL, May, 2005- May, 2006. Co managed glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, as well as provided counseling and referrals for cataracts and corneal dystrophies.

Professional memberships

·             American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), including the Contact Lens and Low Vision Chapters, American Academy of Optometry (AAO)

 

Additional professional activities

·             Designed and built an image-erecting BIO system for stereoscopic viewing of the fundus in an upright orientation. Conducted research comparing the traditional ophthalmoscopy technique to an image erecting ophthalmoscopy technique in 2006 and supervised research on improved image erecting lens designs in 2006-2007.

·             Student Note Service Director (2005-2006), Class of 2007 NoteTaking Coordinator at Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), Contact Lens Society member, Student Association Member (2004-2006), Multicultural Association Class Representative (2006), Student Secretary of AAO (2006)

·             Completed additional elective courses in debt management, rigid gas permeable lens modification, spectacle lens fabrication, and infant and pediatric examination.

·             Attended AOA Convention in 2005 and the AAO Convention in 2006 and 2007.

·             Completed the CPE optometry Residents Program provided by Alcon in Fort Worth, Texas, June, 2007.

Honors

·             Honors in Primary Care 2005-2006, Advanced Care and Low Vision 2006, Pediatrics 2006-2007, and Contact Lens 2007.

·             Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society and Tomb & Key Honor Society member, Beta Sigma Kappa member, Dean’s List 2003-2007

·             Award for clinical excellence from the Illinois College of Optometry

·             Presented research and case report posters at the American Academy of Optometry Meetings in December 2006 and in October, 2007, Travel Grant Recipient for the AAO Convention in Denver, CO 2006. National Honor Society member, Multicultural Association Scholarship Recipient 2005.

·             Clinical Excellence Award Recipient 2006-2007 from the Illinois College of Optometry.

·             Volk/ICO Exceptional Service Award 2007

Licenses & Certificates

·             Licensed Optometrist  in New York

·             Licensed Optometrist in Pennsylvania

·             CPR and AED Certified

Employment Experience

·             Arleo Eye Associates, Ithaca, NY.  July, 2008 – present.  Comprehensive examinations on all age groups, contact lens fits, diagnosing and referring patients for treatment of ARMD, Glaucoma, and mature cataracts, and referring patients for suspected neurological diseases/lesions.  Post operative care of cataract and glaucoma surgery patients.

·             Wilkes-Barre VAMC Optometric Resident: July 2007- July, 2008.

·             Optometrist at Sears Optical, Johnson City, NY and Wilkes-Barre, PA: July 2007- present

·             Optometrist at America’s Best, Dewitt, NY: August 2007- present

·             Optical Assistant: Selected, dispensed, adjusted, and repaired glasses as well as verified glasses prescriptions as a work-study for the Illinois Eye Institute Eye Wear Center from November, 2004- May, 2006, March-May 2007

·             Worked at the Ithaca Orthopedic Group, Ithaca, NY from January, 2003-December, 2004. Trained in electronic medical record keeping, New York state HIPPA privacy laws, and medical secretarial work, obtained MRI approvals from insurance companies, and followed up with insurance companies on unpaid claims.

·             Owned and Operated my own gymnastics business in Villa Grove, IL from 1997-2000. Provided gymnastics lessons to children of all ages just above operating costs to give local, low-income families a chance to enjoy this very expensive sport.

·             Continue to work as a professional, safety-certified gymnastics judge for junior Olympic, high school, and collegiate gymnastics. Experience working under pressure and with a wide age-range of people.

Interests and Lifetime Goals

·             Practice full scope primary care optometry, as well as co manage refractive procedures and advanced ocular diseases.

·             Obtain further expertise in caring for patients’ ocular health and quality of vision prior to and after surgical procedures and solidifying my patient care skills.

·             Enhance my co management skills between the optometric and ophthalmologic communities and smoothly transition patients between the two modes of practice for optimum patient care.

·             Provide specialty pediatric vision care and low vision services.

·             Assume an active role in my community and in the field of optometry, including providing educational seminars and screenings.

·             Continue conducting research and become a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry as well as teach in a clinical setting, overseeing optometric interns and/or residents.