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February 17, 2015 In This Issue:
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Voices from your ECW Staff
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In the middle of a hectic day, it's sometimes easy to forget why we're in the places we are, and the big, beautiful things we want to do. Our staff's passion inspires us everyday, and we wanted to share that passion with you! Here is what some of our staff has to say about why they're in healthcare:
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"I like to know I'm dedicating my time to something valuable and it gives me satisfaction to know I'm a part of keeping the people of our community safe and healthy."
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"Nothing is better than helping someone and being a constant re-assurance for those with worries. [...] Entering the medical field was my true calling when I decided to pursue my nursing degree. After I completed my CNA, I found the Eye Clinic and have been blessed with a wonderful career ever since."
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"I value being part of providing a necessary service and quality in the service given. At the Eye Clinic, most precious to me are the senior citizens we serve. What a wonderful group of people to provide care for. I never tire of sharing a bit of their lives as they come to the Eye Clinic, especially the retina patients who become very well known to us. It is also a great privilege to work with the team of people who are in this service... giving and caring."
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| New Medium, Same Great Information Written Just for You |
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The Eye Clinic's 20/20 newsletter is back and better than ever. Now fully digitized, you can read about important news at your leisure without wasting any trees. We are filled to the brim with exciting news for you, and are always happy to receive feedback. This publication is now bi-monthly, so look for the next edition in April! Anything you want to see next issue? Email us by hitting "reply"
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LUCKY NUMBER 7: WISCONSIN RAPIDS
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| New Location, Two Familiar Surgeons |
 2015 is already shaping up to be a very exciting year for us here at the Eye Clinic. Starting in mid-March, we will be new residents of Wisconsin Rapids! Dr. Christopher Kucharski and Dr. Vernon Parmley will be offering appointment-only services in our 841 Goodnow Ave (Suite 103) location on the first and third Tuesday and Wednesday of each month (hours vary by appointment). Unlike our current locations, we will not be offering Glasses or Contact Lens services. Drs. Kucharski and Parmley will be working primarily as surgeons to help fill the community needs we see there.
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MEDICAL V. ROUTINE: WHAT DO I CHOOSE?
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Know Your Billing Options
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Did you know that Medicare and all insurance plans determine coverage based on your exam type? They also require us to provide you with a specific set of services based on their individual requirements.
What does this mean for you? It means, first and foremost, that we must establish your payment method BEFORE or at the beginning of your visit. Once we complete your exam, we cannot change your exam type. This is also a selection that we cannot do for you.
Starting in April, all patients will be selecting their exam type at check-in. It can sound scary, but we're here to help! We want you to have the easiest and best visit possible.
If you have a return visit due with us, you will receive this brochure in the mail, which is filled with helpful information!
This is the form you will see on check-in.
If you have questions at any time, we invite you to contact our billing department at 800.472.0033 (choose option #3) |
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 Unlike many vision centers, the Eye Clinic offers comprehensive, dilated vision exams. This means that we not only give you a glasses or contact lens prescription, we also do a full vision, medication and health history; an eye health evaluation, refraction, and a dilation. These additional services help us give you the most accurate care to ensure your eye health. This also means that our eye exams may take longer than you may be used to. Learn more about what to expect here. |
The Eye Clinic of Wisconsin is here to serve one vision. Yours! We've been a part of your communities for over 50 years, and this year we're very pleased to host a variety of special initiatives, events, and contests geared toward patient advocacy, vision awareness, and positive community evolution.Check out all of our exciting events and contests here.
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GUIDE DOGS AND LOW VISION: ONE MAN'S SPECIAL JOURNEY
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 John Giallombardo is a kind-hearted, jovial man. He also happens to be partially blind. Here at the Eye Clinic, he is one of our patients that we consider to have " low vision". This refers to vision troubles that cannot be fully corrected through medical devices or procedures. Like many with low vision, John's vision has been getting worse over time. His doctor, our Optometrist, Dr. Scalcucci, has been caring for John, and two years ago, took a leap out of the ordinary. He encouraged John to apply for a guide dog. In May of 2013, John was accepted into the Pilot Dog program of Columbus Ohio, and his life changed forever. Cheyenne, a "fiery ball of black fur" in the form of an English Labrador, had come to stay. Our staff member, Katie, talked to him about his story: John, what do you think is most important to tell the community about your experiences? They need to know the health and support I got from the training program. I'd never experienced anything like that. The entire staff was so accommodating and kind and understanding. Navigating the busy streets in Columbus was very different from the streets in Wausau. I came away with a new understanding of how I could travel safely and confidently, no matter where I am. [...]
A dog usually has around 20/70 vision. I have around 20/2250 in my good eye [...] Cheyenne makes up the difference and fills that gap for me. And Dr. Scalcucci knew that! He said, "Let's fill out the paperwork" and he gave me a battery of tests. My perception of vision had narrowed to around 19% in one eye and 20% in the other. I had to have five different references, and a physical exam, and it all happened in one week!
On May 16, I got a call, and the [Pilot Dog School] said "we've got a black lab for you, can you come?" This was at no cost to me, and I got on the plane, wondering if this was the right decision for me. They brought my lab, who jumped into my lap and licked my face, and I was in love.
When I'm with Cheyenne, it's so freeing. It's a feeling of floating. Sometimes when I'm walking downtown I just close my eyes, and just go.
What would you like to say about your experience with Dr. Scalcucci?
I have always found Dr. Scalcucci to be very honest and gentle with people. And it's not just the fact that we're both Italian! I encourage all eye doctors to do what Dr. Scalcucci does and look at their patients carefully. They want to help them with medical science and technology. But sometimes it's not possible.
Dr. Scalcucci realized the importance of what this dog would mean for me. Sometimes it's not a medical solution. There are other ways to help people gain confidence as members of society. Right now Cheyenne and I are job hunting. And it's not easy, but it never has been. I'd really like to help people with vision loss understand their options.
Do you have any words of advice for people looking to get into the Pilot Dog Program?
Google "Pilot Dogs Columbus" they'll see the website (http://www.pilotdogs.org/). There's a history section for it, and you call apply online, or you can call the school. I did it that way - they'll send you a paper application. Pilot offers 7 breeds of dogs, which is different from the other schools. Pilot fit me and what I needed to do. Safety is number 1 in their minds. The final thing they do is an achievement test where you go through the entire city [...] We made it back to the school and [my instructor] said "You passed, John, you passed." I was in tears.
If anyone has questions, they can contact me at 715.432.4219, or email me at [email protected]
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