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Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

What is the Student Ophthalmology Medical Association (SOMA)?

Student Ophthalmology Medical Association (SOMA) is a student organization that aims to provide medical students at MCW with the opportunity to learn about ophthalmology as a potential specialty and participate in service projects related to the field.

About SOMA

Every month, SOMA hosts an ophthalmology specialty clinic at the Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured. Student doctors get hands-on experience and learn from ophthalmologists from the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute.

SOMA partners with ReSpectacle and Prevent Blindness Wisconsin to provide volunteering opportunities throughout the year.

SOMA hosts various events throughout the year to help current medical students connect with resident and attending physicians and learn about subspecialties or gain ophthalmology relevant skills.

SOMA Group

Board Members

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Steven Trinh

Medical Student, SOMA Co-President

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Luke McGuire

SOMA Co-President

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Samer Bilal

SOMA Treasurer

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Natalie Ungaretti

SOMA Public Relations and Community Outreach Chair

Volunteer Opportunities

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Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured
The free Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured (SCU) is a primary care clinic run by MCW students that offers free medical care and education to uninsured individuals of Milwaukee. Under the supervision of ophthalmologists at the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute, medical students in the Student Ophthalmology Medical Association (SOMA) provide monthly comprehensive eye exams to uninsured patients at the SCU.
ReSpectacle
ReSpectacle is a nonprofit organization that collects used glasses and sends them to underserved communities all over the world, with the help of medical student volunteers. By volunteering through SOMA, students have the opportunity to photograph, catalogue, and organize glasses that will soon become available to individuals in need worldwide. Volunteers can engage with other medical students interested in ophthalmology, giving them insights about the specialty. ReSpectacle is also a resource that our student doctor volunteers make available to uninsured individuals that we see at the Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured.
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is a non-profit organization with a mission to help Wisconsin residents have healthy vision at all stages in their lives. They do so through certified volunteer opportunities to perform vision screenings in various communities throughout all of Wisconsin.

Ophthalmologists

Meet the ophthalmologists that work with SOMA.

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Neda Esmaili, MD

Associate Professor

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Sang Hun Hong, MD

Assistant Professor

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Alexander Joseph Khammar, MD

Associate Professor

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Joon-Bom Kim, MD

Assistant Professor

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Lawrence W. Platt, MD, MBA

Associate Professor

Ophthalmology Resources

Learn More about Ophthalmology

There are many resources to provide details about the field of ophthalmology and the types of diseases and conditions you would treat if you're interested in pursuing this specialty. 

Explore Case Studies

There are many case studies available, including our own MCW case studies, that will provide insight on history and examination of various ophthalmic disorders. 

Read the Eye Encyclopedia

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeWiki, written by Eye Physicians and surgeons. This page covers everything from eye disease, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Sign up for a Weekly Ophthalmology Newsletter

The Lens is a publication with important ophthalmology research updates from medical students across North America. 

Contact

Stay up to date on our various events and volunteering opportunities.

Have questions or want to get involved?

Email us:

soma@mcw.edu

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