Dean McGee Eye Institute Partnership & Student Hire

Metro Tech and Dean McGee Eye Institute partnership result in student hire

OKLAHOMA CITY – Taiz Davila became the first student from Metro Tech’s Eye Care Technologies program hired by Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) in Oklahoma City. She trained in the eye care technician pathway and was hired as an Ophthalmic Technician this past June. The program launched in 2019.

As a student at Southeast High School, Taiz co-enrolled in Metro Tech’s Biomedical Sciences Academy program where she was active in the HOSA student organization and served as a student ambassador.

After graduation, she saw the value of career and technical education so she returned to enroll in the Eye Care Technologies program. Taiz said “I knew I wanted to do something that didn’t take as long as four years. In my senior year, I toured the campus to see all the programs, the eye care program was new and looked interesting.” Her instructor, Shannon Robinson encouraged her to give it a try. She completed the program and received the Health Careers Site Director Adult Student of the Year award.

Taiz’s story is indicative of what Oklahoma CareerTech is designed to accomplish; help students discover their interest, match them with the right career program, direct them to advance their skills and/or connect to college. Taiz’s early training created a path to help realize her career goals. Soon, she plans to take the exam to receive her certification.

During her training, Taiz was able to put her skills into practice at DMEI. According to Nick Henson, director of clinical operations at DMEI, “Her preparedness, engagement and commitment to continue to improve on her skills caught the eye of DMEI practitioners and management and prompted us to make her an employment offer. We are excited to have her on the DMEI team.”

Metro Tech Superintendent Aaron Collins said, “In education, partnerships with area businesses are critical to the growth of our state’s economy. Dean McGee Eye Institute is a great example of how our partnership is building Oklahoma’s workforce.”  Collins stated that DMEI helped pave the way by providing contacts for equipment purchases and making staff available to support the development of the program.

You could call Taiz a legacy student. In the 1990’s both her parents attended Metro Tech. In 1997, her dad trained in the carpentry program and received the Superintendent Student of the Year award.

Metro Technology Centers has four campuses offering short-term, career and customized business training. Campuses are located in South Oklahoma City, Northeast Oklahoma City, the Will Rogers Airport and Downtown Oklahoma City. www.metrotech.edu