Sight plays a vital role in how we all experience the world, maintain our independence and connect with the people around us.
Ophthalmologists like Dr. Jigna Joshi, chief of ophthalmology at the Edward Hines Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, knows that for Veterans, protecting vision and addressing eye health can make a meaningful difference in their daily lives and overall well-being.
Keep reading as Joshi provides insight into life as an ophthalmologist at VA and shares what she calls the “perfect moment of everything coming together” in her VA career.
Walk us through a typical day at VA.
“My typical day at VA offers a blend of patient care, surgery, education and research. I see patients, teach medical students and residents, contribute to departmental research and perform surgeries each week. Each day brings an opportunity to build a different part of my career.”
How does VA support you in getting the job done and done well?
“VA supports this work by prioritizing excellent, up-to-date care for Veterans and providing access to advanced technology. I also love that our integrated care system allows us to have all of our sub-specialists and primary care providers in one house. It really makes coordinating complex care for our Veterans easier, even down to coordinating rides to appointments.”
Can you share a Veteran care experience that had an impact on you?
“One especially memorable experience involved a World War II Veteran in their nineties who had glaucoma and hoped to attend an event in Normandy. By working together to optimize their glaucoma care and complete the necessary procedures, I was able to help ensure they were cleared to travel. When the Veteran returned, they shared photos from the event and described how meaningful the experience had been. Helping them reach that important milestone was deeply rewarding.”
Has there been a particular moment in your VA career where you knew you were exactly where you were meant to be?
“When you get that experience of seeing a patient, being able to diagnose and help them, alongside having a resident in the room with you that you’re teaching, I think that it’s a perfect moment of everything coming together. We are able to care for patients but also train the next generation of physicians. It’s a moment of providing a service not just to our patients, but to our country, by training our future physicians. It’s very rewarding.”
Do you have any advice for an ophthalmologist who’s thinking about applying to VA?
“Ophthalmologists considering a career at VA—you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, innovate, participate in research and develop leadership skills, all with support from fellow physicians. VA offers a place to bring your new ideas and career goals into service of Veterans.”
Anything else you’d like to add?
“I learn and grow from every interaction I have with a Veteran. We get to serve a patient population that is truly unique and special.”
Join our mission
VA is always looking for qualified, compassionate healthcare providers to serve our nation’s heroes. If you’d like to help Veterans see a brighter future like Dr. Joshi, consider a rewarding career at VA. Learn more at VA Careers.
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