Externship Site
North Carolina Primary Vision Care Associates (affiliated with America's Best)
ICO STUDENTS ACCEPTED EACH QUARTER
Essentials
Location
1497 Concord Pkwy N
City:
State:
Zip:
Concord
NC
28025
U.S.A.
Country:
Southeast U.S.
Region:
Additional Address Information:
Description
The practice provides comprehensive primary care Optometry and offers a very balanced view of our profession. During their time with us, the student will encounter the full spectrum of Optometry. They will certainly see some everyday refractive cases. Helping build their skills and knowledge base. However, a large portion of their patient encounters will offer challenging and educational cases. The student will vastly improve their contact lens skills and become very comfortable working with all types and brands of contacts, especially multifocal contact lens fits. The student will be faced with a wide variety of ocular disease in a diverse patient population. Leading to increased comfort and confidence managing these cases in the future. We serve a patient population where we are often the patient’s only point of contact with a medical provider. As such, we play a pivotal role in the patient’s medical and ophthalmic care. This often presents a wide array of disease, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. As well, our site will serve to increase the student’s exam and clinical skills efficiency. My goal is that each patient encounter be it basic or complicated will aid the student in becoming a better clinician.
We have a fully staffed office with a busy optical and a general manager that oversees office flow and function. We will have case discussions daily and a weekly rounds discussing interesting cases. Once a session we will have a short grand rounds presentation by the student/s reviewing a noteworthy case. Also, there will be an opportunity to shadow an Ophthalmologist performing surgery during the student's time with us.
Site Goals:
1) To help build the students confidence and knowledge when managing optometry's wide spectrum of ocular pathology.
2) To help guide the student’s progression from clinical skills lab to real world optometry. By enhancing efficiency without sacrificing patient care.
3) Further mastering of clinical skills by daily repetition and clinical guidance.
Site Expectations:
Average number of patients a week per student: 50-65
One grand rounds presentation a session by the student.
Potential for surgical observation.
Chance to work alongside optical staff.
Number of Student Encounters
Average number of patients per week per student:
50-65
How many are full exams?
How many are special testing?
30
How many are observation only?
None, unless situation deems necessary.
Relative Percentage of Student Encounters
35
30
30
5
1
% = Routine Refractive
% = Contact Lens
% = Ocular Disease
% = Pediatric / Binocular Vision
% = Low Vision
Facility Details
Required equipment:
None required.
Contact for externship liason:
Arrival procedure for students:
The first week will comprise of observation and equipment training. Followed by an escalating patient care schedule.
Attending Staff - Full Time:
Robert J. Africano OD, FAAO (Primary Care, Ocular Disease)
Lydon C. Wong, OD (Primary Care)
Miscellaneous comments:
Office Locations:
1497 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, NC 28025 – Primary Office
591 River Hwy Suite P, Mooresville, NC 28117 – Secondary Office
Student will rarely need to travel to the Mooresville location.
IPE - The goal will be to have student spread several days observing routine ocular surgery with a local OMD, that I have co-manged with in the past.
Clinic Staff:
Robert Africano OD, FAAO
Dr. Africano is a 2015 graduate of Salus University, where he completed an Advanced Studies in Retina program. After graduating he completed a Primary Care/Ocular Disease residency with The Eye Institute of The Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In 2019 he became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He now practices in Charlotte, North Carolina with North Carolina Primary Vision Care Associates in an America’s Best. In the five years he has worked with National Vision he has held multiple roles including Clinical Advisory Panel member, Quality Assurance Panel member, University Ambassador, and Area Doctor. His next role returns him to his passion for teaching, where he will be participating as a Clinical Preceptor.
Lyndon Wong OD, FAAO
Dr. Wong has had a tremendous career practicing in multiple Optometric modalities including many years as a SUNY faculty member.
Additional Information:
Click here to review onboarding requirements. If you do not see your site listed on Sharepoint, contact your preceptor directly.
Student Review
Primary Care, Contact Lenses
Facility specialties:
Facility category:
Primary Care (Specialty 1)
Max number of ICO students?
Housing available or a stipend?
Is this a residency program?
Other externship affiliations?
Do you provide formal journal club, case discussion, grand rounds?
Are meals provided?
Is an automobile necessary?
Is there on-site parking?
No
Journal Club/Case Discussion
Yes
No
No
2
Yes
Yes
Facility website
Student Clinic Hours
OFF
OFF
4:30 pm
9:30 am
CLOSED
CLOSED
5:30 pm
9:30 am
5:30 pm
9:30 am
5:30 pm
9:30 am
5:30 pm
9:30 am
M:
T:
W:
T:
F:
S:
S:
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Additional Info about Hours:
Occasionally early morning patient care may be supplemented with a lecture or presentation. Friday available as an optional make-up day if necessary.
Commercial
Facility Type