Dr. Sloan W. Rush
Sloan W. Rush, M.D. (“Dr. Sloan”) is the very first cornea and refractive surgery fellowship-trained specialist in the Texas Panhandle region. He graduated medical school from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX followed by residency training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX. Dr. Sloan further refined his expertise with fellowship training at Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, a program that is regarded as one of the most prestigious in the United States. Dr. Sloan is committed to providing the highest level of personalized patient care with compassion
and integrity. He feels extremely privileged to bring back home to Amarillo and Panhandle Eye Group his expertise with the latest and the newest cutting-edge technology in the areas of Cornea and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Sloan is actively involved in many research projects. Having published over two dozen clinical studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals before age 35, he continues to strive to develop innovative techniques that will help improve patient outcomes. Of particular interest, he is currently studying topical stem cell therapy for corneal regeneration and the treatment of dry eye disease. Dr. Sloan is dedicated to pursuing the most advanced practices in order to better care for patients right here in the Texas Panhandle.
Dr. Sloan has committed his life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and views this as the most significant event in his life. Beyond delivering topnotch eye care, Dr. Sloan carries such a huge passion for the practice of ophthalmology and serving the Lord. He has provided ophthalmic surgery care for underprivileged patients all over Latin America with several Christian organizations. He has been very blessed to be able to serve and glorify God in this capacity. Dr. Sloan enjoys golf, snow skiing, the outdoors and spending time with his family. He is blessed with a lovely wife, Jennifer, and three magnificent children: Emmie Caroline, True and Mabry.
Dr. Sloan is a Board Certified Fellow with the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the prestigious Refractive Surgery Alliance.
Why I Came Back to Amarillo
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT OPHTHALMOLOGY?
Dr. Sloan: It is so rewarding to see patients recover vision. Your vision is something that is not always fully appreciated until it is restricted or totally gone. All of our lifestyles demand the best vision possible, and this is something that I am able to help deliver by being an ophthalmologist. Cataract surgery may only be a 10 minute procedure, but often times it will have a lifetime impact on maintaining, and even elevating, people’s quality of life. I enjoy having the extreme pleasure to be able to experience this amazing, life-changing event with so many people on a daily basis.
HOW HAS BEING AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?
Dr. Sloan: Seeing people struggle with eye disease and decreased vision has made me so incredibly empathetic toward everyone that we are able to treat. I am so grateful for my own ocular health, and it is such a tremendous blessing to be able to help others improve their well-being by restoring their vision. Eye surgery is such a significant event in many people’s lives. I cherish the opportunity to be there for patients and pray for them before their surgery in order to help them get through it safely and comfortably.
WHAT OTHER ASPECTS IN THE FIELD OF OPHTHALMOLOGY BEYOND PATIENT CARE FASCINATE YOU?
Dr. Sloan: Ophthalmology is a very technology-oriented discipline. The rapid advances with medical technology in ophthalmic care is mind-boggling. I am privileged to be at the forefront of technological breakthroughs by being able to initiate many research projects in my hometown. This benefits many of my patients as it provides access to cutting-edge technology without having to leave our community to go to a big city. Not only that, being an innovator will inevitably have a positive impact for patients on a global scale as medical technology is developed and further refined by research and clinical trials.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING?
Dr. Sloan: I enjoy spending time with my family. It is special to dine with my wife one-on-one, watch mystery movies with my older daughter, fish and build LEGO with my son, and snuggle with my younger daughter.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES OCCUPY YOUR TIME?
Dr. Sloan: I enjoy serving in our community and beyond. I have been fortunate to be actively involved locally to provide medical care to the underserved in our town with Heal the City and abroad with the Christian Ophthalmic Surgery Expedition Network. I am also able to frequently join my wife in teaching English as a second language to the internationals in our community. And it has always been an honor and privilege to serve as an advisory board member on wonderful charitable organizations over the years, organizations that bless our community in such tremendous ways.
WHAT CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON?
Dr. Sloan: My younger daughter was born with a rare genetic disorder and global development delay, causing restricted mobility and decreased ability to communicate. By observing the tender compassion of my wife, I have learned to embrace the mission of helping her overcome her disabilities. It has been inspirational to my entire family in so many ways to see her thrive despite all of her limitations. She receives such so much terrific therapy locally at the Turn Center, that I have been moved to become a Medical Advisory Board Member with this organization. My background and experience with research has created an opportunity to assist the Turn Center with pursuing research and designing clinical trials with their skilled therapists. It has been amazing to see other children at the same place where my daughter receives therapy use novel therapies that can now be provided in Amarillo. We have seen many children with autism spectrum disorder prosper in our aquatic therapy study.