The Ophthalmology Student Interest Group (OSIG) was originally created by medical students to provide a learner community focused on this area of medicine. While ophthalmology is a part of the surgical rotation at IU School of Medicine, there is no separate ophthalmology rotation. OSIG provides students interested in the field of ophthalmology the opportunity to work together on rotations and help each other with the residency application process.
To equip medical students with opportunities and resources to experience ophthalmology through patient care, research and community service.
Interested in joining OSIG? You can reach us at ophtha@iu.edu and ask to join the listserv to receive emails for our events. You can also reach our OSIG faculty advisor, Rudy Yung, MD, at ryung@iu.edu.
OSIG provides an array of opportunities for medical students pursuing ophthalmology, including:
- Ophthalmology guest speakers from various subspecialties
- Basic science and clinical research guidance
- Volunteering opportunities
- Mentorship programs with residents and upperclassmen medical students
- 2020 Outstanding Registered Student Organization of the Year: OSIG
- 2020 Distinguished Advisor of the Year: Rudy Yung, MD
- 2019 Outstanding Community Service & Outreach Organization of the Year: OSIG
Community Service at the Student Eye Clinic
The IU School of Medicine Student Outreach Clinic (SOC) is a free clinic run by volunteer medical students and staff that provides medical services to the uninsured and underserved populations of Indianapolis.
Hosted by Neighborhood Fellowship Church, the SOC has continued to expand its services over the years, now including vision and eye screening, dental services, physical and occupational therapy services, as well as law, social work and pharmacy.
The eye clinic has since become a staple of the SOC. Held once a month year-round, it offers hands-on experience for medical students while providing much-needed ophthalmic care to the Indianapolis community. The first two eye clinics held at SOC in 2013 welcomed approximately 20 patients at two separate events for visual acuity and glaucoma screenings. Since then, the clinic has served over 850 individuals in Indianapolis.
The eye clinic is staffed with approximately 25 volunteer students, residents and faculty physicians. In addition, it now offers refractive services as well as retinal screening with a fully automated fundoscopic camera.
Additionally, the clinic has partnered with LensCrafters to provide free eyewear to select patients and has developed a referral service to Eskenazi Eye Clinic for patients requiring more advanced care. Enrolled IUSM medical students of all years - regardless of experience - are invited to volunteer at the eye clinic. Students will be briefed on the clinic workflow and taught to use the specialized ophthalmic equipment.
Volunteers have the opportunity to care for underserved patients and develop relationships within the local community.
For those interested in ophthalmology, the clinic also provides an opportunity to become acquainted with basic screening techniques and practices available in lower resource settings, as well as interact with our volunteer faculty and residents. In addition to giving back to the community, many students have been supported to pursue ophthalmology as a result of early exposure through our eye clinic.
Hosted by Neighborhood Fellowship Church, the SOC has continued to expand its services over the years, now including vision and eye screening, dental services, physical and occupational therapy services, as well as law, social work and pharmacy.
The eye clinic has since become a staple of the SOC. Held once a month year-round, it offers hands-on experience for medical students while providing much-needed ophthalmic care to the Indianapolis community. The first two eye clinics held at SOC in 2013 welcomed approximately 20 patients at two separate events for visual acuity and glaucoma screenings. Since then, the clinic has served over 850 individuals in Indianapolis.
The eye clinic is staffed with approximately 25 volunteer students, residents and faculty physicians. In addition, it now offers refractive services as well as retinal screening with a fully automated fundoscopic camera.
Additionally, the clinic has partnered with LensCrafters to provide free eyewear to select patients and has developed a referral service to Eskenazi Eye Clinic for patients requiring more advanced care. Enrolled IUSM medical students of all years - regardless of experience - are invited to volunteer at the eye clinic. Students will be briefed on the clinic workflow and taught to use the specialized ophthalmic equipment.
Volunteers have the opportunity to care for underserved patients and develop relationships within the local community.
For those interested in ophthalmology, the clinic also provides an opportunity to become acquainted with basic screening techniques and practices available in lower resource settings, as well as interact with our volunteer faculty and residents. In addition to giving back to the community, many students have been supported to pursue ophthalmology as a result of early exposure through our eye clinic.
Follow OSIG on Instagram: @iusm_osig
Event Recordings
OSIG members have access to recordings of past town halls, lectures and panel discussions with faculty on ophthalmology-related topics.
Clinical Rotations
OSIG provides educational information for medical students to ensure success in ophthalmology clinical rotations.
Match Resources
OSIG provides resources for those interested in matching into an ophthalmology residency program.