Primary Eye Care - Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock, NM '02-'03

• Briefly describe the patient population and types of disorders that routinely present at your clinic. Also, provide the typical number of patient encounters you have in a day.
  • Mostly all Native American (Navajo) population of all age groups. Five to ten patient encounters a day in general. A lot of disease: diabetic retinopathy, iritis, trauma. . etc.

• Describe other activities that you are available to participate in besides direct patient care. (i.e. Grand rounds, internal lectures, interaction with other health professionals, staffing of student interns)
  • Grand Rounds and staff (medical/dental/optometry) meetings weekly, including lectures. I have also worked with a public health nurse (out in the field) and other providers at the hospital. Daily interaction with other healthcare professionals occurs. I have also been very active in community services such as a Head Start Health Advisory Committee.

• Briefly describe the setting of the clinic and the surrounding area.
  • The NNMC in Shiprock is the largest and newest hospital on the Navajo Reservation. The surrounding area is very beautiful and close to towns such as Cortez, Colorado, and Farmington, NM. There are also many nearby national parks to travel to and outdoor activities to participate in.

• What are some strengths of the program and what areas do you feel need improvement.
  • The program provides a great variety of age groups and diseases and a good balance of didactic and clinical work. The only improvement that I can see would be to increase the management of glaucoma patients, since some are still managed by ophthalmology.

• Briefly describe the geographic location/area of your residency program (what should one expect).
  • See above

• Has your residency thus far been what you expected?
  • Yes! And even additional training and benefits! GREAT!!

• What were your reasons for applying for a residency and have they been addressed?
  • Additional exposure to a variety of disease and types of patients. Work in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Additional comments:
  • Excellent residency!! Drs. Fugate and Hughes are very knowledgeable and helpful with everything!!