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Training Undergraduate BS: University of Evansville Medical School MD: Indiana University School of Medicine Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Fellowship: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Chief Residency: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Honors: "Best Doctors in America" and "America's Top Ophthalmologists" |
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Retina Associates of Kentucky John W. Kitchens, MD What led you to choose Retina Associates of Kentucky? The reputation of Retina Associates is what initially interested me in the practice. When I spoke with my mentors at both Iowa and Bascom Palmer, they all knew of William, Rick, and Tom. When I looked into it more, it became apparent that this practice had what I was looking for (people with the best training, clinical research, and a dedication to patient care) in a great location that was close to family. What are your interests? Within the medical realm, I enjoy managing patients with uveitis as well as other medical disorders. I like uveitis in particular because these cases are not straightforward. In many cases, it is like unraveling a mystery. Many times you develop a strong doctor-patient relationship with these people. It can be very rewarding to 'solve the mystery' and get someone on the right track from a treatment standpoint. From a surgical standpoint, I really enjoy taking care of patients with retinal detachments and trauma cases. Both of these conditions require you to 'think on your feet' in the OR. No two cases are the same and each presents its own set of challenges. I like the fact that there is such a diverse way to approach the problems that these folks have. What research are you currently working on? One of the great aspects of Retina Associates is that we have a real 'team' mentality. Each physician at Retina Associates of Kentucky is a Principle Investigator for multiple studies. Currently, I am focused on our Lucentis for Ocular Histoplasmosis Study and our Pharmacogenetics of AMD Study. Both of these studies are investigator sponsored trials (IST). This means that we developed a hypothesis and the study from 'scratch'. This approach makes the study much more rewarding and demonstrates how focused we are on solving the problems our patients encounter. In addition to these studies, we are participating in a study evaluating whether higher doses of anti-VEGF medications may allow for longer intervals between treatments. One of the most exciting things about Retina Associates of Kentucky is their dedication to pursuing research that is beneficial to our patients. What do you enjoy outside of medicine? I have a wife, Sarah, and two children. My family keeps me pretty busy outside of work. When I get a chance, I enjoy working with computers. Putting together talks or surgical videos is something that I actually enjoy doing when I get a chance. I also like to exercise by lifting weights or cycling. You can probably find me out cycling on most Saturday mornings with Dr. Stone. |
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