CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Receives New Donation for Ophthalmic Technician Education Program

Only Program of its kind in California to Offer Ophthalmic Assistant and Technician Levels

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Southern California Eye Institute (SCEI) at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (CHA HPMC), a member of CHA Health Systems, a global network providing a full spectrum of dynamic healthcare services, received a gift from Mark Ridley-Thomas, Second District Supervisor to Los Angeles County Board, to train the next generation of students to serve the eye care needs of the community.

“Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and his office are keenly aware of the importance of community and education programs, having provided leadership and aid for similar initiatives over the years,” said Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, director of Southern California Eye Institute. “As such, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas' office is critical to supporting this education program. With this investment, we are able to provide Angelenos in low-income and minority communities vocational training in an allied medical field in high demand. Beyond educating cohorts of students, we anticipate raising awareness of the importance of eye health and routine eye exams. The Southern California Eye Institute is grateful for the Supervisor's partnership and leadership in this important endeavor.”

“My hope is that not only will the health and well-being of thousands be impacted by this investment—including patients, and members of the community that we serve—but we also seed a pipeline of the next generation of students to focus on one of our most important but overlooked areas of treatment—eye health,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “The OTEP program, the first of its kind in the state of California, is the catalyst to do this.”

The OTEP program is the only program of its kind in California, and one of 4 nationwide that offers training at both the ophthalmic assistant and ophthalmic technician levels. The program aims to provide students in the Los Angeles community access to high-quality education and job training opportunities to meet the growing need for ophthalmic technicians in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates of both programs will be prepared to add value to any ophthalmic or optometric practice setting from day one. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% employment growth for ophthalmic technicians between 2018 and 2028, providing approximately 9,000 employment opportunities.

About Southern California Eye Institute

Southern California Eye Institute is dedicated to providing the highest level of vision care, using the latest technology and treatments to deliver the best outcome to patients in Los Angeles and from around the world. The institute’s expert physician-scientists are advancing innovations in stem cell and regenerative therapies, artificial intelligence and bioelectronic implants to further the prevention, early detection and treatment of eye diseases and conditions. Founded by world-renowned ophthalmologist Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, SCEI is located in Los Angeles at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. For more information, visit www.sceyes.org.

About Ophthalmic Technician Education Program

OTEP offers training at both the ophthalmic assistant (9-month) and the ophthalmic technician (12-month) levels. OTEP is comprised of online didactic instruction, coupled with on-site clinical training from experts in SCEI’s state-of-the-art eye institute. Graduates from the program will work closely with patients and their families to educate them on their eye health, guide them on treatments, and inform ophthalmologists by conducting procedures to help with the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems. For more information, visit www.sceyes.org/otep.

About CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center

CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (CHA HPMC) is a nationally recognized acute care facility that has cared for Hollywood and its surrounding communities since 1924. Today, CHA HPMC offers comprehensive health care services with a 434-bed acute care facility, including 89 skilled nursing beds. The hospital has a medical staff of more than 500 physicians and specialists, representing 69 specialties and 75 different countries. CHA HPMC embraces the area’s diverse, multicultural patient populations by providing all who walk through its doors quality care in a compassionate manner. It is a member of CHA Health Systems, a dynamic global healthcare organization that provides a full spectrum of services in seven countries around the world, including 25 hospitals and clinics, 30 research and 14 education institutions and 30 bio/pharmaceutical/healthcare companies. For more information, visit www.hollywoodpresbyterian.com.

About Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

As a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors since 2008 (re-elected in 2012 and 2016) Mark Ridley-Thomas has distinguished himself as an effective leader and advocate for structural change for more than two million Second District residents. Supervisor Ridley-Thomas authored and led LA County’s unprecedented effort to end homelessness through Measure H—the $3.5 billion dollar sales tax measure; the re-opening of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital and campus investments; as well as established Los Angeles County as a leader in the Bioscience sector. He is a board member of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission and LA Care, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan. Learn more at: https://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/