Calling all students and residents

Students and residents, are you interested in writing for Optometry Times? I'd love to see your paper!

Optometry Times is very interested in publishing student and resident papers. I’ve published three so far 

in 2013, with the third appearing in this issue. See P28 for the recently anointed Dr. Nick Gubler’s take on social media for ODs. Resident Dr. Rim Makhlouf wrote, along with Dr. Joe Sowka, our Special Section piece on secondary glaucomas in the January issue, and student Sara Heikali shared her entrepreneurial view on optometric practice in the February issue.

Write up a case report. Talk about an interesting day in clinic. Share your views on the future of optometry. Discuss a struggle you’re having in making a career choice. Outline the reasons why optometry is a great healthcare profession. Wax poetic on that great new contact lens/glaucoma drop/spectacle lens/piece of equipment you just tried. Or even send me something you’re working on for a class.

I can give you great reasons to contact me about publishing your paper.

1. It’s great experience. No, really…it is. Writing for publication is an important skill to learn. I’m here to help you and guide you through the process, along with my colleagues Dr. Ernie Bowling, chief optometric editor, and Dr. Kathy Mastrota, associate optometric editor. Knowing how to write for publication can pay you big dividends down the road in your career.

2. Plump up your CV now. Adding published articles early to your CV helps you look good for residency or other graduate school applications. You’ll also need a CV for American Academy of Optometry Fellowship or Diplomate consideration, for example, or other industry professional organizations. What about when you are looking to become an associate or partner in practice? Or decide to move into academia? Whatever your professional goals, a well-rounded CV will help. Optometry Times can get you started.

3. Impress your professors or mentors. Imagine showing them an issue of Optometry Times with your article! Better yet, ask your professor or mentor to author with you. Big brownie points.

4. Big money. OK, not big money. Good money? Nah, not even that. Enough to feed you for a (short) while.

5. Bragging rights. I can’t overestimate how important this reason is. Show your mom! And your grandmother! And if you ask nicely, I’ll even mail you an extra copy or two for them.

So e-mail me at gbailey@advanstar.com or call me (215/412-0214) to talk about how to get started. Optometry Times is one of the voices of the profession. We’d like to add you to the chorus.ODT

Gretchyn M. Bailey, NCLC, FAAO

Editor in Chief, Content Channel Director