August 2024

OPHTHALMOLOGY

ADVANCING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Research on DEI and Healthcare Disparities

​Angelo P. Tanna, MD, led three studies that examined the importance of patient education and health literacy: Dustin D. French, PhD, is co-primary investigator on a recently awarded R01 from the National Eye Institute. The project will assess the quality of care and treatment for people from racial and ethnic minority groups for cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
David A. Ramirez, MD, participated in a study presented at ARVO that looked at the socioeconomic impact on treatment of anisometropic, refractive amblyopia and investigated the role of census tract and Community Resilience Estimates on visual outcomes for amblyopia. ​Most recently, Dr. Ramirez received a $90,000 grant to study the socioeconomic impact on treatment of anisometropic, with the goal of developing interventions and strategies to improve outcomes in high-risk patients.

Awards and Achievements Related to DEI

​We’re proud of our faculty, staff and students. These achievements reflect their hard work and commitment to better care for all.In addition, David J. Palmer, MD, Roya Zandi, MD, and Dr. Ramirez, met with legislator offices in Washington D.C. to discuss a range of important issues related to equitable care, including loan repayments for pediatric ophthalmologists who practice in underserved areas, nationalizing vision screening at the age of 3 to 4, to ensure early detection of vision issues and more. 

Providing Better Care to the Communities We Serve

Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmology is committed to serving not just our patients, but our communities as well. We work to address health disparities, enhance access to care and build trust with our patients.
  • Our faculty members serve in community clinics, such as Near North Health, providing more than 2,500 ophthalmology appointments. Hear Dr. Watson talk about his participation.
  • For more than 15 years, we have provided no-cost ophthalmology services with CommunityHealth, the largest volunteer-based health center in the nation. The clinic provides culturally competent transitional care for medically underserved people in Chicago.
  • Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is partnering with the Experiences That Matter Foundation for the 2020 Perfect Vision Campaign. This program is part of Northwestern University's 2024 Racial Equity and Community Partnership Grants, which aim to address racial inequities and promote structural change. We will support the program in various ways, including:
    • Suggesting equipment for a mobile vision eye clinic
    • Developing pathways for patient follow-up and long-term care
    • Sharing data for research on race and health disparities
  • The Department of Ophthalmology at Northwestern Medicine hosted the Grosvenor Westinghouse Scholar High School Program. This program offers outstanding high school students opportunities prepare for potential careers in medicine.
  • We plan to expand ophthalmology care in Chicago’s South Side at the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, slated to open in fall 2025, aiming to bring world-class care to local communities. In addition to offering ophthalmology care, among other specialties, the center will support initiatives to address health disparities in the area. 
​Learn more about Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to healthy equity and community service programs.

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