Fellowship Training in Ophthalmic Pathology

ARVO 2003 (Left to Right):

Amy Lin (Fellow 2003-2005), Robert Folberg, Sumalee Vangveeravong (Fellow 2002-2003)

Fellowship training in ophthalmic pathology is now approved by the ACGME through the Pathology Residency Review Committee for one year of credit as a selective training in pathology.

Fellowship training in ophthalmic pathology is available to physicians who will have completed training in either anatomic pathology or ophthalmology before the commencement of their training. Individuals who have trained outside the United States, Canada, or the UK are welcome to apply provided they are fluent in written and spoken English.

For Pathologists: We recommend that pathologists plan to spend 6 months to 1 year in training. The greatest challenge for a pathologist learning ophthalmic pathology is the mastery of basic ophthalmology. Every ophthalmic pathologist should understand the clinical implications of the diagnosis. Fellows have the opportunity to attend and participate in teaching rounds at the Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary. Through these conferences, the Pathologist will learn a considerable amount of ophthalmology that enrich training in ophthalmic pathology. The teaching program at the Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is well known for its excellence in teaching. Fellows are also encouraged to attend teaching conferences and rounds hosted by the Department of Pathology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

For Ophthalmologists: We recommend that ophthalmologists plan to spend 2 years in training to master diagnostic ophthalmic pathology and to learn basic research skills. Ophthalmologists will particularly enjoy the many teaching conferences hosted by the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Opportunities are available to fellows who are ophthalmologists and who qualify for a medical license in the State of Illinois to participate in staffing clinics during their fellowship.

The laboratory receives a large number of surgical specimens a year from a wide referral base in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. A rich consultation service provides access to sufficient material for comprehensive training in diagnostic ophthalmic pathology.

All fellows are required to participate in ongoing research and are encouraged to develop their own research interests. The fellowship is structured such that each fellow will learn research methods (molecular, immunological, and morphological) that will facilitate a career in Academic Ophthalmic Pathology.

Extensive collaborations are underway into the molecular biology of invasion and metastasis in uveal melanoma in conjunction with a number of basic science departments at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Fellows may may use of extensive core facilities in research microscopy and molecular biology.

Our teaching facilities are among the most technologically advanced in the world, complete with a teaching auditorium equipped for multimedia pathology teaching sessions. Fellows will be taught how to teach ophthalmic pathology and will participate in the cutting-edge delivery of education in ophthalmic pathology to remote sites.

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For more information, please contact Dr. Folberg, Director of the Eye Pathology and Director of Fellowship Training in Ophthalmic Pathology at UIC.