A press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, followed by an event for Witham Health Services physicians and staff over the noon hour. A community open house will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the clinic and offer refreshments.
“The faculty of the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute at the IU School of Medicine bring their expertise and state-of-the-art care to our community,” said Raymond Ingham, CEO and President of Witham Health Services. “It’s important for our patients to receive care close to home, and this service will be a significant benefit to our patients.”
The clinic, located on the second floor of the hospital’s North Pavilion, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Daniel Spitzberg, M.D., clinical associate professor of ophthalmology and comprehensive ophthalmologist, will see patients on Tuesdays and Fridays; Melanie Pickett, O.D., assistant professor of optometry and an optometrist, will be in the clinic on Wednesdays.
“We hope to provide comprehensive eye care services at Witham Health as the clinic grows,” said Louis B. Cantor, M.D., chairman of the IU School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology at the Glick Eye
Institute.
Dr. Spitzberg has had a long affiliation with the Department of Ophthalmology, having completed his residency and fellowship at IU School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Spitzberg returned to IU several years ago to teach and provide comprehensive ophthalmology to patients with a variety of
vision disorders. He specializes in cataract surgery, returning vision to patients who have lost sight.
Dr. Pickett has 14 years of experience with the department, running the family optometry practice at the department’s Spring Mill Glick Eye Institute on the north side of Indianapolis. She specializes in contact lenses. She also sees children and adults of all ages, offering full service optometry care. An optical shop also will be offered at the Witham Hospital location.
“As our population ages, it’s crucial that we provide services that are important to our residents,” said Ingham. “Certainly, treating age-released vision conditions is beneficial in a setting close to home.”
Baseline eye exams at age 40 are recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology because many vision problems begin in middle age. Additionally, eye exams are important for school children having trouble seeing the blackboard or reading. All of these services will be available for patients at Witham Health Services. Cataract surgery, one of the most popular outpatient surgeries, also will be available with Dr. Spitzberg.
“We know it’s important for patients to be able to see a physician in a setting that is close to home and familiar to them. We also know that additional ophthalmology and optometry services are needed in this area and we are pleased to send two of our highly regarded faculty members to Lebanon to provide
quality patient care,” added Dr. Cantor.
About the IU Department of Ophthalmology at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute
The Department of Ophthalmology has been providing patient care for more than 100 years at the IU School of Medicine. The department is currently conducting the largest glaucoma research project of its kind, the Indianapolis Glaucoma Progression Study, and also is conducting additional glaucoma research studies.
Faculty and staff are researching age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and other sight-threatening diseases in adults and children.
Last year the department moved to the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, a $26 million building that combines patient care, research and education in one location at 1160 W. Michigan St. on the IUPUI campus. One of the largest programs in the country, the department has 18 residents and six fellows each year. More information: www.glick.iu.edu. To schedule an appointment: (317) 274-2020.
About Witham Health Services
Witham Health Services is proud to be a part of the growth and vitality going on throughout Boone County. The mission at Witham is simple: To improve health through excellence and personalized care. Every day, the accomplished and experienced staff, compassionate nurses and team of dedicated professionals, combined with state-of-the-technology, brings exceptional health resources to patients and their families – all close to home. While we stay focused on the present and how we are doing, we have an eye to the future. We continue to attract and retain excellent physicians and nurses who believe in our mission.
We also continue to be well-positioned to accommodate growth in our community. Our transition into the new hospital in 2003 has only been followed by more growth. We’ve added on—to our facilities, clinical services and specialty providers. Clearly, we are able to service the community better than ever before. Witham currently has offices in Jamestown, Lebanon, Thorntown, Whitestown and Zionsville.