Cornea Fellowship
Overview
Mission
The mission of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Washington is simple: we seek to protect and improve vision through the treatment of eye disease. We do so by practicing the state of the art in ophthalmology, extending the state through scientific research, and by sharing our knowledge with our students, our colleagues, and our community.
Goals
The overall objective of this fellowship is to offer an exceptional blend of clinical opportunities and research experience in an academic setting. Our goal is to teach competent and compassionate practitioners the medical judgment and special skills required of a cornea surgeon. Our fellowship graduates will be well trained to serve as both community practitioners and faculty members at academic medical centers. The patient populations we serve, and the institutions we cover, provide a rich experience in corneal and external diseases as well as refractive surgery.
Objectives
The overall objective of this fellowship is to offer an exceptional blend of clinical opportunities and research experience in an academic setting. Our goal is to teach competent and compassionate practitioners the medical judgment and special skills required of a corneal surgeon.
Application
The Cornea Fellowship is currently on hold.
Application
In our application process, one fellow is selected yearly for the one-year fellowship. Interviews are offered to candidates after a review of all the application materials. This position is offered through the San Francisco Matching Program (www.sfmatch.org). Please see the dates and deadlines on the website. Candidates who will have successfully completed their ophthalmology residency training and who are able to obtain a license to practice medicine in the state of Washington are considered.
Benefits
This non-ACGME fellowship salary is paid at an approximation of Program Year level using AAMC salary scale. Health benefits are available through the University of Washington with several plans to choose from. Dental, Life and A&D insurance are included with health plans at no additional cost. Fellows are provided with malpractice insurance for their fellowship-based activities. The fellow is expected to attend specialty meetings or conferences as part of their advanced training.
Eligibility and Selection Policy
The University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology welcomes applicants for our AUPO-certified fellowship programs in vitreoretinal surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease, as well as our ASOPRS-certified fellowship program in oculoplastic surgery. Current residents and graduates of accredited ophthalmology residencies are eligible for consideration. Preference will be given to graduates of ACGME-accredited residencies and individuals eligible for full licensure in the State of Washington. The Department of Ophthalmology is committed to developing a diverse physician workforce and welcomes applications from individuals from historically under-represented backgrounds. Our program recruits applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Recruitment is based upon applicants’ qualifications and ability to do the job. Selection criteria for our fellowships include a record of outstanding patient care; a record of scholarship in ophthalmology; enthusiasm for serving as teacher to junior fellows, residents, and students; excellent communication skills; and a record of exemplary professionalism.
Education & Training
Education
Fellows are expected to attend and participate in weekly Grand Rounds. The fellow will also be expected to assist with resident training in the OR and lecture the residents on subjects related to the specialty. Our division hosts a monthly meeting. This meeting is the forum to discuss research ideas, track progress on research projects, and review abstracts/presentations given at national meetings. This meeting is attended by faculty members from the cornea department as well as the resident on the service and fellow.
The fellow is also encouraged to attend the fellow’s program sponsored by the Cornea Society as well as local and regional meetings.
The fellow is required to complete a research project throughout the year. SightLife eye bank is available to assist with the project when applicable.
Training
The Fellow is granted the academic title of Acting Instructor at the University of Washington. The fellow will participate in highly complex cornea and anterior segment pathology. Surgeries include a range of corneal surgery such as keratoprosthesis, PKP, DALK, DSEK, DMEK, scleral fixated IOLs as well as ocular surface reconstruction as well as other surgeries. The fellow also gets to see and participate in refractive surgery.