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Why ICO?
Choosing ICO means joining a community dedicated to excellence in optometric education and patient care. The faculty's diverse backgrounds and experience provide students and patients with invaluable education and patient care. ICO fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment that instills a strong sense of community and network of alumni.
Biography
Dr. Buskirk has a background in both clinical care and administrative leadership. She earned a B.S. in biology from Indiana University in 2010, followed by her O.D. at Illinois College of Optometry in 2014. To further specialize, Dr. Buskirk completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center in 2015. From 2015 to 2024, Dr. Buskirk served at the Saint Louis VA Healthcare System. During her tenure, she acted as a clinical optometrist and was appointed as the assistant chief of optometry. In addition to these roles, Dr. Buskirk was dedicated to the clinical education of fourth year optometry externs and optometry residents. Currently, Dr. Buskirk is pursuing a Master's in Healthcare Administration from Saint Louis University, with an anticipated graduation in 2025. She is hoping to merge her clinical expertise with strategic healthcare management to drive excellence in healthcare delivery. In her free time, Dr. Buskirk enjoys traveling with her fiancé Nick, exploring Chicago restaurants and breweries, and doting on her 2 cats Lindell and McKnight.