VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VCB) announces start of surgical ophthalmologist services. (U.S. Air Force photo used in this U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs info graphic by Luis H. Loza Gutierrez)

VCB announces start of surgical ophthalmologist services

HARLINGEN, Texas — VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VCB) announces the start of surgical ophthalmologist services for Veterans at the Health Care Center at Harlingen.

“We are very pleased to provide this type of service to our Veterans,” said Dr. Jorge Ortegon, VCB chief of medicine. “There’s been a need for this service for some time and we are happy to announce that it is now available here.”

The new services will be headed by Dr. Brian Schallenberg.

As the health care system’s new surgical ophthalmologist, Dr. Schallenberg will begin, serving Veterans by performing cataract surgeries on October 10 in VCB’s state-of-the-art facility located inside the VA Health Care Center at Harlingen, Texas.

Dr. Schallenberg attended the University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, Texas, followed by a transitional internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, where he was named Transitional Intern of the Year.

He then completed his training at the Texas A&M/Baylor, Scott and White Ophthalmology Residency Program. Here, he was named chief resident and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, which is a national program that honors senior medical students, residents, role-model physician teachers and other exemplars recognized for demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.

Coming from a family of military service, Dr. Schallenberg has a passion for serving Veterans and providing them with safe and effective surgery for their visual needs.

When he is not serving here, he enjoys time with his family, the outdoors, and performing specialized cataract surgery in developing nations where the blind would otherwise not receive care.

(Photo of Dr. Schallenberg provided as a courtesy image. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs info graphic by Luis H. Loza Gutierrez)

Please note, only patients who are referred by their primary and specialty care providers will be seen by the surgical ophthalmologist at this time.

In areas distant from the locations that offer this service, eligible Veterans may be able to receive surgical ophthalmologist care through VA's outpatient fee-basis program after a referral by their primary care provider, and prior authorization by the department.

Patients are highly encouraged to see their primary care provider at their nearest VA medical facility for assistance. All information about health care and health eligibility can be found at http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/.