KYCO: Paving the way for optometry in Appalachia

By: Stacey Walters

I have learned additional skill sets, as they pertain to laser procedures and injections through the expanded scope of practice.

The Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) is transforming the Appalachian region through improved access to vision care and education.

The inaugural class of 61 students who began their journey at KYCO in 2016, made history this spring during the college’s first commencement ceremony.

These pioneers chose to participate in the challenging and comprehensive curriculum offered at KYCO’s state-of-the-art facilities. The inaugural class comprises students from various backgrounds and locations who share the common goal of becoming the next generation of healthcare providers.

Graduates celebrated this tremendous milestone that cements the school’s legacy as a premier optometry program.

Sha’Mia Stinson KYCO ’20, was drawn to a career in optometry to help people have a better quality of life. Stinson chose to attend KYCO because of the expanded scope of practice in Kentucky. With the learning experiences her education has afforded her, she feels prepared to work in any optometry setting.

“I have learned additional skill sets, as they pertain to laser procedures and injections through the expanded scope of practice,” said Stinson. “This will allow me to be of better service to my patients.”

Sara Hillerbrand KYCO ’20, is excited to embark on a career where she can impact lives in a direct and meaningful way. With optometry, she can do just that.

I have always had a pioneer spirit and paving the way for future optometry students was important to me when I chose to attend KYCO,” said Hillerbrand. “There was always a bigger picture.

Optometry, like most health professions, is ever-changing with new standards of care, research and solutions, so it is essential to be able to grow and adapt along with the changing profession.

“Adaptability is one of the biggest skills I have learned while in optometry school. Learning to adapt to new environments, people and technology was a necessity,” said Hillerbrand. “I know this skill will serve me well throughout my career and help me continue to be the best optometrist that I can be.”

Michael Bacigalupi, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FNAP, dean of KYCO, is very proud that KYCO’s first graduating class received their degrees this May. KYCO strives to develop leaders in therapeutic optometry through innovative education and commitment to caring for underserved patients.

As a continuation of the university’s strategic focus on health sciences, KYCO, along with the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) and the College of Nursing and Human Services (CNHS) is training students to innovate the future of healthcare. This vision allows KYCO to make a real and lasting impact on the community while fulfilling its mission to provide culturally sensitive, patient-centered, comprehensive and accessible vision care to Appalachia and rural America.

Serving the Community

During the fall of 2019, KYCO faculty and second-year optometry students visited 11 Pike County schools and provided vision screenings to more than 750 pediatric patients. The number of screenings increased by 75 percent from the previous year and several were referred for further ocular evaluations.

Although extremely beneficial, Assistant Professor of Optometry Rachel Fitzgerald, O.D., says these screenings do not substitute for a comprehensive exam with a local eye doctor. KYCO hopes the screenings promote the importance of eye care and pediatric eye health in the region.

“With vision playing such an important role in learning, our screenings aim to identify any significant visual problems that could impact a child’s performance in school,” said Fitzgerald. “In working with these elementary school students, we hope that they take away the importance of routine eye care and understand more about optometry as a possible career path.”

Assistant Dean for Student and Professional Development and Associate Professor of Optometry Josephine Owoeye, O.D., M.P.H., believes it is beneficial for KYCO to form partnerships in the community while offering this valuable service to the school system at no cost.

“The work we are doing allows us to catch and promptly refer children with changes in their vision,” said Owoeye. “It is very likely that these children would have been missed otherwise.”

Cutting-Edge Technology

To further its mission of training optometry students to the highest level of clinical care, KYCO students continued their hands-on experience with recently installed virtual reality biomicroscope (slit lamp) simulators in its virtual reality lab.

KYCO is the first school in the country to have this state-of-the-art technology from VRmagic (Mannheim, Germany), which allows students to train, examine and diagnose diseases on simulated eyes.

Bacigalupi said that “virtual reality learning is impactful for our students and will allow them to hone their clinical skills in a safe and realistic environment.”

“We know that these new doctors of optometry will improve the eye health of patients throughout their careers,” said Bacigalupi. “And, what a great year to earn an optometry degree…2020!”