Russell, you completed a large chunk of your clinical training at Jesse Brown. How did that come to be?

After I had my first medical school rotation at the VA, I chose the VA for every other rotation I could. All of my interactions there were just so positive. I looked forward to coming back during my residency in ophthalmology.

What about the experience drew and kept you there?

The vets are just incredible and they all have such amazing stories. They've all lived through so much. It's people coming from different walks of life, and being there is a very enriching experience. You really feel like you're helping people who have, first of all, served and given so much to everybody in the United States, and also people who really need your help.

Russell Huang

What kind of population do you work with?

Jesse Brown is definitely an inner-city VA. The pathology is very advanced for a lot of these guys. These are people who are struggling with PTSD and other issues. They haven't been able to take care of themselves for years. So, you know, honestly there's nothing better than really just connecting with one of these vets. And, especially as a medical student, you have the ability to do so much. Every little thing that you do for them is so meaningful to them, and it really empowers you as a medical student.

How is the VA experience part of your residency program?

As ophthalmology residents at the VA, we spend at least six months there. Were in the clinic two to three days a week. And by our fourth year, we're in the operating room half the time.

What types of procedures are you doing?

There's a very high incidence of glaucoma and also very advanced cases of cataracts. Many patients walk into our office legally blind from their cataracts. Doing cataract surgery on them is one of the most satisfying surgeries that we do because we can restore their vision.

You must hear interesting stories.

Before COVID, we used to have this big waiting room full of guys, and you could hear them trading war stories, talking to each other about their eyes, talking to each other about everything else that's going on, and cracking jokes. I treated one guy who was working on a screenplay. Its fun.

How is your clinical training different because it is at the VA?

You learn to be very independent very hands-on. The VA really pushes you. You're the doctor, and the buck stops with you. If you think there's something a patient needs, you have to get it done and, for better or worse, thats what makes the VA such a special place.

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