Celebrating our Ophthalmic Technicians - The MVPs of Wilmer

During Allied Ophthalmic Professionals Week, clinic managers and supervisors across the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine say thank you to all the ophthalmic technicians who provide compassionate patient care across multiple subspecialties every day.

“Ophthalmic technicians at the Wilmer Eye Institute are absolutely invaluable to the operation of the organization,” says Lynne Young, director of clinical operations. “Providers rely on the information technicians obtain to conduct comprehensive evaluations and to accurately diagnose and treat patients. Ophthalmology cannot function successfully without our technicians, who are the MVPs of Wilmer.”

Julie Christopherson, Ophthalmic Technician, Bel Air

Dedication to Patient Care

julie christopherson

At age 12, Julie Christopherson had her first job, as a volunteer at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore. She escorted patients, via wheelchair, to their physical therapy appointments, an experience that led Christopherson to a career in allied health. Subsequently, Christopherson earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical photographic communications and, shortly thereafter, began a career as a medical photographer. By the time she joined the team at Wilmer - Bel Air in April 2019, she already had over 25 years of experience as an ophthalmic technician. A year ago, Christopherson became a certified ophthalmic assistant, a milestone she says would not have been possible without her support system at Wilmer. “The staff at Bel Air was a huge help when I was prepping for the COA, always willing to make time to teach and review with me and cheer me on,” she says.

Shawn Walbrecher, Wilmer - Bel Air clinic manager, says Christopherson is a well-rounded technician with an infallible bedside manner. “Julie comes to work with a positive attitude and a willingness to do the most skilled-level technical duties to the smallest job,” Walbrecher says. “This is a technician with the skills to speak to our patients with the utmost of respect and kindness, while getting the technical information from the patient seamlessly.”

Walbrecher notes the many patient compliments Christopherson has received for her dedication to patient care: “Julie is a person that sets a great example of exemplary work ethic. She is a technician to emulate when it comes to skill and expertise.”

Heather Connors, Ophthalmic Technician, Lions Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center

A History of Optics and Compassion-Driven Care

heather conners

Heather Connors has had a passion for eye care since she began working alongside her optometrist father at age 16. After college, she returned to the family business, this time as the only optician in her father’s practice. Before joining Wilmer’s float pool in 2017 as an ophthalmic technician assistant, Connors managed an optical shop.

It was Connors’ prior experience as an optician, and the compassionate care she displays when working with patients, that prompted the low vision team to bring her aboard says Kyoto Fujiwara, manager of the low vision clinic. “Heather was a quick study in learning the routine of the clinic,” Fujiwara says. “Her ability to multi-task and organize assisted in making the workflow more efficient and patient friendly.” Connors interest in low vision rehabilitation led her to pursue certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Two years after becoming a certified ophthalmic assistant, Connors became a certified low vision therapist (CLVT) — a vision impairment specialist who evaluates patients with low vision and provides them and their families with the resources and tools needed to function. According to the ACVREP, she is one of only eleven CLVTs in Maryland. “We are fortunate to benefit from skilled ophthalmic technicians, and particularly grateful for Heather’s professionalism and dedication to patients with low vision,” says Fujiwara.

Tonie Hines, Ophthalmic Technician, Oculoplastics and Neuro-Ophthalmology

A Quintessential Wilmer Story

Tonie Hines

Tonie Hines’ journey at Wilmer has been one of promise of opportunity and cultivation of talent. In 2016, she began her career at Wilmer as a patient access specialist in the call center, where she scheduled appointments and forwarded patient calls to appropriate clinics. Two years later, she stepped from behind the desk and out into the clinic to obtain hands-on experience. Promoted to the position of ophthalmic technician assistant, she worked as a retina trainee. Later, after earning her COA, she provided direct physician support and assisted with procedures such as eye injections. “Being in the clinic, I can get to know the patients a little more than when just scheduling appointments and taking messages,” says Hines. “I like being someone they recognize when coming to appointments, which makes people feel a little more relaxed, so they can focus on their healing.”

Earlier this year, Hines began splitting her time between the neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastics divisions. In neuro-ophthalmology, she performs diagnostic testing and patient screening, while her time in oculoplastics is largely spent setting up procedure rooms for outpatient procedures, including some surgeries. “Tonie has been a welcome addition to neuro and plastics and has acclimated quickly to the environment,” says clinic manager Diane Almony. “She is a team player, always willing to take on additional tasks and help where needed. We are so pleased that she is a member of the team.”

Hines says she very much enjoys her career at Wilmer. “I love learning,” she says. “I'm always interested in new opportunities, and there always seems to be something innovative and exciting to learn at Wilmer.”

Marianne Medura, Ophthalmic Clinical Supervisor, Oculoplastics and Neuro-ophthalmology

42 Years of Patient Care and Service

Marianne Medura

When Marianne Medura began her career at Wilmer 42 years ago, there weren’t any satellite locations, the Maumenee and Smith buildings hadn’t been constructed, technicians wore their own clothes, and the Knack's “My Sharona” was the #1 song in the United States.

Over the years, Medura has worked at the front desk as a study coordinator, surgical scheduler and resident coordinator. Currently, she is the ophthalmic clinical supervisor of the neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastics divisions.

Medura says she loves working with patients and making a difference in their lives. She also relishes the collaboration with physicians and learning from them, and she enjoys training technicians and showing them new techniques.

“Marianne is always helping the neuro faculty,” says Amanda Henderson, neuro-ophthalmology division chief. “She is adaptable and pays attention to intricate details regarding the workflows for different neuro-ophthalmology faculty. She is constantly providing innovative solutions to problems, and she anticipates potential issues and typically solves them before we are even aware.”

In 2020, Medura received the Wilmer Support Staff Achievement Award, which recognizes employees for their contribution to both the institution and the community. “Marianne is pleasant, engaging and professional with her patients,” says clinic manager Diane Almony. Henderson is a bit more direct: “I truly don't know what we would do without Marianne.”

Nadia Wong, Ophthalmic Sonographer, Department of Echography

The Multi-Faceted Technician

nadia wong

When Donna Vierheller, assistant administrator for Wilmer - East Baltimore, was recruited from Wilmer - Bel Air to serve as acting manager of the cornea division in 2014, Nadia Wong was instrumental in ensuring a successful transition. “Nadia, in addition to being one of the kindest persons I have ever met, is an extremely knowledgeable and talented technician,” says Vierheller, who also commends Wong’s commitment to excellent patient care. “Every patient receives 100% of her time and talent.”

Since 2014, Wong advanced from being a lead technician to ophthalmic clinical supervisor while working alongside Vierheller in the cornea division. In 2019, Wong became a certified ophthalmic technician. A few months later, she became a registered ophthalmic ultrasound biometrist and, soon thereafter, she joined the echography department.

Wong earned her fourth certification from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology this past July, becoming a certified diagnostic ophthalmic sonographer (CDOS). “Part of what makes ophthalmic ultrasound so intriguing is that it encompasses pathophysiology from every ophthalmic subspecialty,” she says. “Studying for the CDOS certification examination allowed me to delve deeper into many areas I had not known well previously. It is exciting to be able to learn something new every day.”

Vierheller says she is honored to mentor Wong. “Nadia offers invaluable expertise to our Wilmer physicians requesting ultrasound evaluations, while still providing exceptional service to her patients,” says Vierheller. "Wilmer is fortunate to have such a kind, professional, and talented employee as part of their team.”