Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Winter Retreat Hosts Dr. Eric Dickson as Guest Speaker

Clinicians, scientists, caregivers, administrators and learners gathered together to celebrate the holiday season at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester.

Dr. Shlomit Schaal, Department Chair, said: “the Eye Team transformed from being a group of skilled individuals to a superb team that works efficiently and smoothly together for the benefit of our patients. Our team is like a family, where everyone knows each other well and cares about each other, and we are all united around our four missions: excellent eye care delivery, cutting edge research, education of the next generation of clinicians/scientists, and service to our community”. Dr. Schaal thanked Eye Team members for their hard work, boundless dedications and innovative ideas.

Honorable guest speaker was Dr. Eric Dickson, CEO of UMass Memorial Healthcare System. Dr. Dickson praises the Eye Team for being consistently recognized as one of the best teams in the entire system. He outlined the mission, vision, goals and strategy of UMass Memorial and acknowledged the numerous challenges that the system faces as an institution that is committed to providing excellent care to everyone in Central Massachusetts. Dr. Dickson asked the Eye Team: “How do you do what you do? What’s the secret for your success?” and solicited suggestions from Eye Team members to allow him to spread the positive culture of the Eye Center to other parts of the healthcare system.

Manisha Anand, COA, was awarded the Eye Team Award of Excellence for demonstrating outstanding commitment and dedication to the Eye Team’s mission. David Rivera, COA, and Sherri Granger, COA won awards for most implemented ideas in 2019. Each conceived and implemented 15 ideas out of the 88 new ideas that were implemented in 2019. “Implementing brilliant new ideas that originate in the minds of our team members allow us to continue progressing and improving”, said Dr. Schaal.

Jack Rossin, a Harvard Professor who teaches communication and presentation skills, was the keynote speaker. Jack provided tools that allow presenters to look and feel more confident during the presentation. He emphasized how important it is to open and close the presentation in a memorable fashion. Barbara Calkins, COA, said after Jack’s workshop: “although I rarely give presentations in front of a crowd, I give a presentation to every patient that I take care of in our clinic. My appearance as a confident caregiver can impact patient’s experience.”