Spotlight on Jenny, Technical Coordinator at The Eye Bank

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Spotlight on Jenny, Technical Coordinator at The Eye Bank

Trained as an ophthalmologist in China, Jenny was chosen to specialize in cataract surgery based on her advanced skill set.  “It’s rewarding to help people who are blind see again,” says Jenny. “It makes all the hard work you did to train worth it. It’s exciting to help improve someone’s quality of life.”

After immigrating to Canada in 2002, Jenny discovered in order to practice ophthalmology in her new country, she would have to redo the majority of her difficult medical training. Instead Jenny chose another career path that still allowed her to use her skills, knowledge and education and her passion for ophthalmology – working at The Eye Bank of Canada (Ontario Division).

Jenny began her career at The Eye Bank as a part-time technician in 2002. Now, she is a technical coordinator in charge of releasing and distributing eye tissue to surgeons in the province. Jenny is also in charge of all employee education and training at The Eye Bank and retrieval staff at Trillium Gift of Life. Jenny finds inspiration in the opportunity to improve the quality of life for eye and tissue recipients, who might otherwise be blind without corneal transplantation.


Teaching new techniques

 

The Eye Bank technicians prepare donor eye tissue for transplant, research or education. With Jenny’s guidance, the technicians now perform a new technique for a specific type of eye surgery which is usually only performed by surgeons. By taking this step out of the operating room, it will reduce the risk for surgery cancellation and approximately 20 minutes from each transplant procedure, freeing up time for additional surgeries.

All certified technicians, including Jenny, must maintain their status as Certified Eye Bank Technicians with the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). To stay current in her field, Jenny regularly attends meetings of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the EBAA. By staying up to date on surgical trends, Jenny can better identify opportunities for The Eye Bank to help ophthalmologists and their patients.

“Technically anyone can donate their eyes,” says Jenny. “At The Eye Bank we use all donated tissue except those with known infectious diseases such as HIV, Hep B and C. If for some reason the tissue is not suitable for transplantation, we make sure it is still used for education, training and research."


It’s all in the details

 

Jenny is the final person to sign off when eye tissue is released for transplantation. It’s vital that all tissue is cleared in accordance with Health Canada and The Eye Bank Association of America’s guidelines, and released on time for the surgery. To Jenny, this the most important part of her job.


Always on call

 

The Eye Bank has two key goals. The first is to use all donated tissue—even if it means working late or regularly returning to work after hours. The second goal is to release eye tissue on time so corneal transplant surgeries can stay on schedule.

Jenny and The Eye Bank team take great pride in meeting these goals every day, feeling an incredible sense of responsibility to both the donors and recipients.


Staying mentally sharp and physically fit

 

Because Jenny’s work requires incredible attention to detail in time-sensitive, high-stress situations, she enjoys spending her spare time engaged in physical activities that allows her to clear her mind. An avid yoga practitioner, jogger and cyclist, Jenny also enjoys travelling and experiencing different cultures.
 

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Posted in Eyebank, Featured Eyebank on Feb 13, 2019

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