Employee Focus on Jonathon Ross
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Jonathon Ross, OD, MS, FAAO
Current Title: Assistant Clinical Professor
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hometown: Highland, California
Degrees and Institutions attended:
- OD – Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton, California
- MS – Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton, California
- BS – La Sierra University, Riverside, California
Years of employment at the college: One year
Q&A
What brought you to the College of Optometry?
The opportunity to join the stellar Ohio State Optometry faculty presented itself at the right time and place in my professional career. Prior to relocating to Ohio, I spent six years in the UC Davis Department of Ophthalmology in Sacramento, California, where I truly came to enjoy the collaborative nature of complex medical management and intellectual culture of academic medicine. However, it was my growing interest in teaching that ultimately led me back to the classroom. The chance to pursue my professional interests in both a clinical and didactic teaching role was an exciting proposition. Needless to say, I am happy to be a BuckEYE!
Describe your typical day at work or describe your position/role.
I currently hold both clinical and didactic teaching responsibilities within the college. In my translational teaching role, I have the unique opportunity to interact with students throughout the curriculum. Clinically, I attend OPT 3 and 4 interns in the Primary Vision Care service at The Optometry Clinic located on main campus and at both Lutheran Social Services – FQHC and Lower Lights Christian Health Center – FQHC located in downtown Columbus. Didactically, I serve as the Laboratory Instructor for OPT 1 students in VS6100: General and Histological Anatomy (Autumn semester).
What brings you the most joy in your work?
I have always found the academic environment to be intellectually stimulating and professionally enriching. Given my clinic and didactic teaching responsibilities, I have the unique opportunity to observe and facilitate the transition of eager students into competent clinicians. Contributing to their professional development alongside my dedicated colleagues is a true privilege.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I have a number of outside interests/hobbies, including: cooking, reading, vinyl records, road cycling, golf, hiking, team sports and home coffee roasting. As new mid-westerners, my wife and I have also enjoyed several weekend warrior trips throughout the state and beyond *All activities are now done alongside our three-month-old son!
What is your go-to Columbus eatery?
Since relocating to Columbus, I have enjoyed exploring the local restaurants. Two that I have particularly enjoyed include Tiger + Lily (19 E. Gay St.) and Oshio Sushi (974 W. 5th Ave.). Tiger + Lily is located in downtown near the Capitol and Scioto Trail. Angus beef noodle ramen is particularly tasty on a cold day. Oshio Sushi is close to campus and a great spot to replenish after lecture/clinic. Rainbow roll and salmon sashimi are my go-to.