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Vitreoretinal Ophthalmology Fellowship
September 2007
Thank you for your interest in our program. The 2008-2010 fellowship application cycle is now closed. Please check back in July 2008 for the next application cycle, 2009-2011.
About the Program
This two-year fellowship is designed for advanced training in vitreoretinal diseases. The goal is to provide world class clinical training. This requires an intense commitment and each day is filled with clinical and academic challenges. The training includes diagnosis and treatment of both medical and surgical retinal diseases in adults and children. This is a fellowship available to graduates of ophthalmology residency programs and is available to only applicants with licensure to practice in the state of Illinois by the start of fellowship.
There will be one (1) fellow chosen through the 2007 match program. The fellowship starts in July 7, 2008 and ends July 6, 2010. Stipends are provided and there are 24 days of vacation. Vacation time must be used for all voluntary absences.
Educational Responsibilities
The fellow must participate in and frequently prepare for the weekly Retina Rounds, departmental weekly Grand Rounds, the Retina Conference and Angiography Conference, Chicago's Rabb Retina Club and other UIC Continuing Medical Education Courses.
The fellow also participates in the education of medical students and ophthalmology residents.
Clinical Responsibilities
UIC has a large volume of complex retinal detachments from severe diabetic retinopathy to trauma that require advanced surgical techniques which serve as an excellent challange.
The vitreoretinal fellow will learn surgery through graded hands-on techniques with the faculty. The surgical team, composed of the attending surgeon, fellow, resident, nurses, and anesthesiologists work together to provide superb surgical care. The fellow learns the tools and approaches to perform surgical procedures such as epiretinal membrane stripping, retinectomy, retinotomy, perfluorocarbon liquids, laser, and silicone oil or gas injection/removal among others. The fellow typically performs more than 150 complete cases. The fellow also become adept at the nuanced postoperative care, a critical contributor to theraputic success. In every case, the attending will seriously consider the ability of the fellow and the demands of the case to determine the best manner to advance the fellows' educational.
In the clinic the fellow examines a variety of patients referred from the General Eye Clinic and from previous fellows. The fellow has an opportunity to manage the patients with the guidance of the faculty. They order and interpret angiograms, ocular coherence tomographies (OCTs) , and ultrasounds in most clinic sessions. Laser treatments and intravitreal injections are also performed when indicated.
In the hospital, the fellow examines retina consultations including weekly exams in the neonatal unit of premature infants to monitor and treat retinopathy of prematurity. They accompany the attending physician until they show adequate proficiency. The fellow also learns to treat with peripheral ablation as indicated by these exams.
Research Responsibilities
Since this is an intense clinical fellowship there is limited research time for the fellows. Nonetheless, the faculty are each involved in research projects and clinical projects and the fellows' participation is possible. Those with special research interest can usually arrange an extra year. However, each fellow must develop a clinical retina manuscript for publications. This teaches the process for independent function upon graduation.
Additional Rotations
UIC has a very active uveitis section under Debra Goldstein, M.D. and Howard Tessler, M.D. This provides an opportunity for the fellow to examine and diagnose difficult cases. These include infectious retinitis, white dot syndromes, toxoplasmosis, sarcoidosis, pars planitis, and other complicated inflammatory diseases.
In addition, UIC has a hereditary retina and electrophysiology section under Gerald Fishman, M.D. that provides an opportunity for the fellow to examine and diagnose the unusual cases followed and referred.
Affiliated Hospitals
Although the majority of the fellowship training takes place at the UIC Eye Center, the fellow may see patients at Michael Reese Hospital, as well as the Jesse Brown Veterans Association Hospital periodically.
Vitreoretinal Faculty
Jennifer I. Lim, M.D.
Director of Retina
Professor of Ophthalmology
Michael P. Blair, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Norman P. Blair, M.D.
Vitreoretinal Fellowship Director
Professor of Ophthlamology
Michael J. Shapiro, M.D.
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Lawrence J. Ulanski, II, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Application Process
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Completed application form.
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Personal Statement in 1000 words or less.
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Curriculum Vitae
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Three (3) letters of recommendation, one of which should be from your Residency Program Director and/or Department Chairman
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Medical School Transcript
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Original Board Score Results
Please send in your application, personal statement, and curriculum vitae by email, as well as mail. This will help ensure that you are listed as an applicant.
Application Timeline for Fellowship Match
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Application Process begins: July 2007
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Deadline for accepting applications: August 31, 2007
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Interview Invitations: September 2007
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Interviews: October/November 2007
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Match Decision : December 1, 2007
Contact
Norman Blair
npblair@uic.edu
Retina MC 648
University of Illinois at Chicago
1905 W. Taylor St.
Chicago IL, 60612
