September 12th, 2021
Episode 10: Dr. Hunter Cherwek, MD
A discussion on
“Orbis International, The Flying Eye Hospital & Cybersight”
Dr. Hunter Cherwek, MD
In this episode of Open Globe Talk, we are incredibly excited to host Dr. Hunter Cherwek, MD who is the Vice President of Clinical Services of Orbis International! He received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill and his medical degree from Duke University. After his transitional year at Scripps Hospital, he completed his residency in ophthalmology at Emory University, where he was elected Chief Resident.
Immediately upon graduating from Emory, Dr. Cherwek joined Orbis International, where he was able to lecture and work in over 20 countries aboard the Flying Eye Hospital and help build the organization’s award-winning telemedicine platform, Cybersight. We are excited to host him on the podcast and learn more about the incredible Orbis organization!
Key discussion points:
What led Dr. Cherwek to pursue Ophthalmology and ultimately Global Ophthalmology?
Importance of early mentorship
The first experience out of residency with Orbis in Western China
Transitioning into the vast learning environment of Orbis after residency
Learning more from the local doctors with their highly-developed skills
What is Orbis?
Nonprofit organization
Plane is only a fraction of the overall initiative
Multiple initiatives such as in trachoma, diabetic eyecare, and developing vision centers in low-resourced settings
Cybersight- Orbis’s solution to the pandemic. Available in almost every part of the world.
cybersight.org
Soon will be available on phone as app
Currently, top country using Cybersight is Mongolia
Has resources for multiple different fields, not just Ophthalmology
How does the Orbis plane select the locations to skill transfer?
It is a very meticulous process with the intention of a 2-4 week conference.
Emphasis on Pediatrics
Orbis classroom
Now turned into a broadcast studio as well!
Remote Surgical Mentorship
Orbis Team on the Flying Eye Hospital
Recruitment: Always more than 10 countries represented
Nursing team is the largest
Teddy bear by Omega used as teaching device for kids undergoing eye surgery
Nursing team strongly advocates for patients!
Patient case preparation (starts before the plane lands)
Detailed procedure for patient care and teaching
Counseling
Patient Bill of Rights
3 different consent by patient
Every patient comes with an attendant
Surgical Case Review
Comprehensive Orbis Electronic Medical Record
Using Artificial Intelligence for teaching
Machine Mentoring
How has Orbis changed your perspective on life as an ophthalmologist?
Episode-based Resources: