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July 2016: Ruh Patel



Ruh Patel is currently a 3rd Year Intern at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry (UIWRSO). She is originally from Brampton, Ontario and completed her Bachelor’s degree in part at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with the majority at York University in Toronto, Ontario. Optometry was a familiar topic because of an early diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa (night blindness) in the family, and the desire to find out more to help her family has created a life long path into vision, and vision related diseases. Further, she worked and volunteered at a private practice in Brampton, Ontario and this experience solidified her decision to pursue a career in optometry.

As she entered Optometry Schoo l she quickly became part of SVOSH (Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity), NOSA, CAOS and clubs alike to acquaint herself with the new environment and meet fellow students who now are an important part of her life at UIWRSO. Subsequently she took the initiative to attain leadership roles in these clubs. Being part of SVOSH allowed her to engage in multiple vision screenings around the city and provide help to those in need of vision care.

Thus far as an Optometry Intern, her most memorable experience was her selection and participation in the Summer Fellowship Training Programduring the summer between 1st and 2nd Professional Years. She and two colleagues worked alongside Dr. Rabin in three different research projects. One specific project targeted the widely popular Blue/Black vs the White/Gold dress debate seen widely on the internet. The research project involved better understanding the role of optical, retinal and neural factors in the perception of ‘The Dress’. Participating in research allowed Ruh to attain experience in using technologies like visual brainwaves (VEPs) as well as a new clinical test to assess one’s ability to adapt to the dark, all of which were novel to her, proving it to be an enriching experience. Moreover, being able to work alongside a distinguished faculty member, as Dr. Rabin was truly an honorable experience.

Ruh has started seeing patients this summer as a new 3rd Year Intern. She is excited to use the resources and knowledge acquired thus far to provide optimal patient care. The journey has been greatly rewarding with peers and friends at UIWRSO creating cherished memories, and she cannot believe they are half-way through the Professional Program! She plans to further explore areas such as pediatric optometry and low vision in her externship sites. After graduation, Ruh plans on moving back to Ontario and providing vision care in the communities she grew up in, giving back to the places that gave so much to her.


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