Current Student News
Optometry
General News
Kylie Auman, OD ‘18, has a lot to be proud of. Not only did she recently graduate with her doctorate while attending the Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s Accelerated Scholars program, but she is also the first Scholars program graduate to begin her residency at The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University. It was a lot of hard work and dedication - with a little bit of her infectious optimism sprinkled in - that led Dr. Auman to obtain this position.
Started in July 2014, the Scholars program is an opportunity for highly motivated and well-qualified applicants to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree in three years instead of the traditional four.
Although the Scholars program is still young, she is surprised that she is the first to do the residency with TEI. “I think our training in the Scholars program was so strong that many students felt that they didn’t need more experience,” she said.
Dr. Auman is only a few weeks in, but she’s already getting into the swing of things. Her typical day consists of spending time in the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center, housed at TEI’s Oak Lane location. She precepts fourth year low vision interns, spends time in emergency care, as well as retina and glaucoma care. She also attends the expected residents’ group conferences a few times a week to discuss the cases that they have come across as they exchange experiences and treatment options.
When she does have some spare time, she spends it with her fiance, Vinny, and their cat, Pierogi, exploring Philadelphia and scoping out places to eat - as she’s a self-confessed “foodie.”
“Residency at TEI is crazy busy, but amazing,” said Dr. Auman. She enjoys the patient base and feels like there is a great amount of exposure to different diseases that help add to her experience. Although she is very busy, she wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s part of the reason why she originally chose the Scholars program. “I like to be challenged and enjoy learning at a fast pace. Completing the program in three years was pretty great too,” she said. Dr. Auman took advantage of the year saved of classes to complete her residency in the time it would take a traditional optometry student to complete the doctorate.
What she has learned already as a resident, she is sure to pass along to the students she precepts. “Be sure to listen to your patient - that is the most important part of the exam,” she said.
