MEI’s Norita gets national certification

 Melonie Norita has become the fifth technician at Marianas Eye Institute to receive her nationally recognized degree as a “certified ophthalmic assistant” or “COA” from the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.

She joins the original technicians at Marianas Eye Institute-Emilly Taitano, Lin Muleta and Thelma Tenorio, and Joanne Castro-Pangelinan-as the only certified ophthalmic assistants in the CNMI. The staff of Marianas Eye Institute has collectively received a total of 10 nationally recognized certifications-more than any other eye clinic in the region. In addition to certified ophthalmic assistants, the staff has earned national credentials as certified opticians, certified contact lens fitters, and certified ophthalmic coders.

“The on-the-job training program at Marianas Eye Institute has allowed these talented individuals to gain the skills and knowledge needed to pass this nationally recognized certification,” said Dr. David Khorram. “They are proof of what hard work and focused effort can accomplish, and we are very proud of Melonie for passing this rigorous exam.”

The exam that Norita passed covers 19 knowledge areas, including history taking, equipment maintenance and repair, microbiology, pharmacology, surgical assisting, ophthalmic imaging, patient education, spectacle skills, refractometry, lensometry, visual assessment and medical ethics, legal and regulatory issues.

“When I saw Melonie’s scores on each section, I was impressed that in several areas she answered every single question correctly, and received a score of 100 percent for those sections,” said Khorram. “She knows her stuff.”

Norita graduated from Marianas High School and has been employed at Marianas Eye Institute since 1999. “It’s hard for me to believe that when I started at Marianas Eye Institute, I really knew nothing about the eyes. Now, I’m nationally certified. I’m very happy,” said Norita.

“When we take out staff to large conferences, they recognize that their experience at Marianas Eye Institute has given them a breadth of knowledge that few technicians, even in the U.S. possess,” added Russ Quinn, CEO. “Our clinic is part of one of the most important networks performing ground-breaking research in diabetic eye disease. So our staff gets very in-depth experience with eye care and diabetes. We’ve been hailed by Retinal Physician magazine as one of the best equipped eye clinics in the Asia-Pacific region, so we know that our staff are getting experience with some of the most advanced technologies in eye care.”

“Our doctors, Dr. Khorram and Dr. [Mark] Robertson, have both received national recognition within their fields, and so we know our staff have great teachers,” Quinn said. “All of these combine to prepare our staff not only to pass an important exam, but to provide outstanding care to the people we serve every day.”

Marianas Eye Institute is located on Beach Road in Garapan across 13 Fishermen Monument. For more information, call 235-9090 or visit www.MarianasEye.com.