LCHC is a federally qualified health center that primarily serves an immigrant and refugee population, along with providing eye care to residents of the Greater Lowell area. There are a wide variety of age groups represented, from pediatrics to the elderly, with a large presence of ocular disease. Providers have regular communication and collaboration with primary care providers/pediatricians, nursing, and behavioral health. There are opportunities to share in diabetic management, work with an ophthalmologist 1-3 x per quarter, and work in our patient walk-in center - similar to an urgent care clinic. Exposure to school-based health clinics including eyecare services to area high school students (1-2x/quarter).

Knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or Khmer is useful as these are the top three languages spoken among our patient population. Telephone interpretation services are available and the eye clinic has some bilingual staff.

Students at LCHC will gain exposure to practice management and have hands-on experience within a full-service optical and lab.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The extern is expected to become progressively adept at the diagnosis, management, or co-management and treatment of patient's ocular problems.

2. The extern is expected to become progressively adept at the recognition and management of patients with systemic disorders with ocular sequelae.

3. The extern is expected to become increasingly proficient in the use of common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.