On November 9, the Wilmer Eye Institute’s new Frederick facility opened to much excitement. The more spacious facility, located at 161 Thomas Johnson Drive, is poised to meet the growing needs of the surrounding area and its aging population. Recently, we checked in with assistant administrator Deborah Phillips to learn more about the new Wilmer-Frederick.
Q: How does the staff like the new office?
They love it! It’s wonderful. It’s larger than the old office, and it’s beautiful.
Q: Details please! What is new and different at the new Wilmer-Frederick?
The bigger space has allowed for the addition of new services and amenities, additional providers and state-of-the-art equipment. It has 14 exam rooms. At our old office, we had a retina specialist and low vision services. Now, in addition to retina, we have specialists in glaucoma, cornea, neuro-ophthalmology, and comprehensive ophthalmology, including pediatrics. We also have a full-service optical, which opened March 1.
Q: How many providers see patients there?
Their schedules vary, but we currently have eight specialists, including a full-time optometrist, which is wonderful.
Q: What about new equipment?
We have a brand new Heidelberg OCT machine, and we added a Humphrey visual field machine and an IOL Master. We also have new tomo pens and iCares to offer patients.
Q: How have patients responded to the new site?
They’re clearly thrilled. They’re so happy that we have expanded services so they don’t have to drive into East Baltimore or other locations. Many have said what a hardship it had been to try to get someone to drive them all the way in to Baltimore, or even Green Spring or Columbia. They’re very thankful that they have something in Frederick that serves them.
The Frederick patients are an interesting group. Instead of calling, they just stop by and say, “Just wanted to see the new office.” Or they’ll come the day before just to make sure they can find the office. Emma Tanseco was at the receptionist desk at the old location, and patients who come in to the new facility are very happy to see her. It’s like their old friend is back.