New optometrist brings strong background in ocular disease and a passion for patient education
The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is pleased to welcome John Szewczyk, OD, to the clinical team. Szewczyk brings extensive experience in ocular disease and a strong commitment to patient-centered care.
John Szewczyk, OD
Staff Optometrist, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
- Email: szewczyk@nospam.wustl.edu
Training and Background
Szewczyk completed an ocular disease residency at the West Roxbury VA in Boston and most recently served as a clinical professor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL). His path to optometry was driven by a deep appreciation for how central vision is to everyday life.
“Vision impacts nearly every part of daily life,” he shared. “It’s our most important sense, and I wanted to be in a field where I could help protect it.”
Clinical Interests
Szewczyk’s primary clinical focus is on ocular disease, with an interest in diagnosing and managing conditions that affect long-term eye health. He sees adult patients ages 18 and older and enjoys caring for individuals with a wide range of eye health needs.
What He Enjoys Most About Patient Care
For Szewczyk, one of the most rewarding parts of optometry is helping patients truly understand what’s happening with their eyes.
“I enjoy helping patients know what is going on with their eyes and building long-term relationships,” he said. “My goal is that patients feel heard and leave their visit with a clear understanding of their eye health and vision.”
Outside the Clinic
When he’s not seeing patients, Szewczyk enjoys watching the New England Patriots and staying connected to his New England roots. A fun fact patients may be surprised to learn: he was born at Barnes Hospital, making his return to St. Louis and WashU Medicine especially meaningful.
Welcome to the Team
We are excited to welcome Dr. Szewczyk to the department and look forward to the expertise and dedication he brings to our patients and community.
About WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.