Jessica Schiffbauer, OD, former Omni Eye Services in Atlanta ocular disease resident and an alumna of the New England College of Optometry, currently serves as a Medical Science Liaison at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. An optometry school classmate and externship experiences inspired her to pursue a residency.
In this Q&A, she shares insights into the pivotal moments that shaped her career, the value of residency training, and the lessons that continue to influence her work in the pharmaceutical industry.
What inspired you to pursue a residency?
One of my optometric classmates inspired me to pursue a residency. We were discussing our future plans after graduation while we were traveling to New York City. The deadline to apply for residency was vastly approaching and I was indecisive as to how I wanted to proceed. After discussing our experiences during our externships, I decided that I wanted to continue to further my education and proceeded to complete the application on our way to NY.
Which residency did you complete and why did you choose this particular focus?
I completed a residency at Omni Eye Services in Atlanta with a focus in ocular disease. My externships were vastly different (primary care, VA, pediatric/vision therapy) and the ones that I enjoyed the most involved a heavy ocular disease population.
Describe your residency experience. Provide a glimpse of your average day.
I was fortunate to have a wonderful residency experience alongside my three co-residents. We had the opportunity to work alongside two optometrists and four ophthalmologists including a corneal specialist, a glaucoma specialist, cataract surgeon, and retinal specialist. Our typical day consisted of seeing patients with a variety of ocular conditions along with those that presented for an emergency visit. We would also mentor optometric students, participate in a weekly journal club, and a weekly retinal grand rounds. As a resident, we were on call 1 week/month.
When you began the residency, what were your future plans? How did the residency help clarify your goals?
When I began residency, I wasn’t sure of my future plans, so I was really focused on succeeding in my residency and hoping that this opportunity would open doors. As I went through residency, I found that I truly enjoyed working in an OD/MD setting. I liked the fast-based, challenging environment while learning from ophthalmology peers and educating our future optometric colleagues.
What were some lessons and/or experiences that stand out?
Two lessons that stand out are: 1) on call may not be the most enjoyable, but I found that it developed my confidence as a provider and forced me to think on my feet learned the most from this experience and boosted my confidence as a provider and 2) lean on your co-residents; there will be highs and lows, but they will always be there to support and cheer you on!
In what ways has your residency shaped your career?
Without my residency, I wouldn’t be where I am today. From securing my first job following residency to bridging my career into the pharmaceutical industry, I credit these opportunities to my residency. After completing my residency, I continued to work in a medical setting, primarily in OD/MD practices. The beginning of this year, I embarked in a new journey as a Medical Science Liaison. While I may not be practicing now, I can say that the networking skills I gained in residency had a huge impact in making this career move.
What advice would you give to optometry students considering a residency?
If you are thinking about a residency, just do it! A residency will open many doors and lead to endless opportunities in your optometric career.