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    Kelly Hodson Unkrich, MD

    Ophthalmology
    (904) 697-3600
    Schedule Online
    Researcher Profile

    Primary Office

    Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville 807 Children's Way Jacksonville, FL 32207
    Get Directions
    Appointment: (904) 697-3600

    Other Offices

    Get to Know Me

    I grew up in the Florida panhandle and spent most of my early years of training in Florida. I did part of my training up north, but was eager to return home to Florida to practice. My husband and I enjoy spending time at the beach with our son and visiting family and friends. 

    Why I Treat Children

    It’s fun! I always knew I wanted to work in the medical field with children. I thought I would become a pediatrician, but also really enjoyed doing surgery. I did an elective in pediatric ophthalmology during medical school and realized it was the best of both worlds — I get to help children see, I perform their surgery if needed, and continue to follow them as they grow up. Helping improve a child’s vision is the most rewarding job, and for most exams, we have fun playing with toys and flashlights!

    What I'm Passionate About

    I am passionate about early intervention for visual problems. I serve on the board of Vision is Priceless here in Jacksonville, a non-profit who promotes vision screening to identify visual abnormalities as early as possible to start treatment. There is no greater reward than giving a child the gift of sight. International surgical mission work is very important to me. I have done international outreach in Tanzania, Kenya, Guatemala and Costa Rica.  My medical interests include: amblyopia eyelid surgery (blocked tear duct, dermoid cyst, chalazion) pediatric cataracts ptosis (droopy eyelid) strabismus

    How I Try to Make A Difference

    I try to put parents and patients at ease in the exam room and make the exam fun. No child enjoys eye drops, but aside from that necessary aspect of the visit, we try to make the exam fun and engaging for children and their parents. I try to spend as much time as possible answering questions and fully explaining my exam findings to parents, so they leave with an understanding of what is going on with their child. I find that communicating with parents is much easier now that I have a child and can understand the parent perspective. 

    Education & Training

    Fellowship

    • Pediatric Ophthalmology - Medical University of South Carolina, 2016

    Residency

    • Ophthalmology - SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2015
    • Internal Medicine - Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, 2012

    Medical/Dental School

    • MD - Florida State University, 2010

    Board Certifications

    • American Board of Ophthalmology

    Insurance Accepted

    • Aetna HMO/POS/PPO/EPO
    • AmeriHealth Caritas Florida (FKA Prestige Health Choice)
    • AvMed
    • Blue Cross and Blue Shield HMO
    • Blue Cross and Blue Shield Non HMO
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Blue Select
    • Cigna & Great West HMO/POS Open Access
    • Cigna & Great West PPO/EPO
    • Employers Health Network PPO
    • Evolutions Healthcare
    • First Health Aetna PPO/EPO
    • Florida Community Care
    • Florida Medicaid
    • Florida Medicare
    • Georgia Medicaid/Georgia Better Health/Peachcare
    • Health First Health Plans
    • HealthSmart Health Plans PPO
    • HUMANA HEALTHY HORIZONS (FKA HUMANA MEDICAID)
    • Humana HMO/POS
    • Humana PPO/EPO
    • Molina Healthcare Medicaid
    • Multiplan PPO
    • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO ORL
    • Prime Health Services PPO Specialty Florida
    • Seminole Tribe of Florida
    • Star Healthcare Network
    • Sunshine SMI/CMS 19 & 21
    • Sunshine State Health Plan Medicaid
    • Three Rivers Provider Network
    • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services/CHAMPVA
    • United Healthcare Commercial Products
    • United Healthcare Community Plan Medicaid
    • Volusia Health Network PPO/EPO

    • Retinopathy of Prematurity
    • Strabismus

    Research Activities

    I am currently participating in research in the areas of retinopathy of prematurity and congenital cataracts.

    • English