Fellowship Overview
The UCSD Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a 24-month fellowship sponsored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). The goal of this fellowship is to provide the fellow in-depth exposure to all aspects of functional, reconstructive and aesthetic ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.
The first year will consist of extensive experience in ophthalmic plastic, reconstructive and orbital surgery. The fellow will have graduated responsibilities in both the clinics and in surgery in a tertiary academic care setting.
Clinics are located at the UCSD Shiley Eye Institute, UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest and the San Diego VA Medical Center. Surgery is performed at the Shiley Eye Institute, UCSD Hillcrest Hospital, UCSD Thornton Hospital, San Diego VA Medical Center and Children’s Hospital. The fellow is an integral part of the surgical team at all sites and will primarily staff the VA Oculoplastics Service.
Several specialty clinics add to the experience. The fellow participates in the UCSD Thyroid Eye Center clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic staffed by ophthalmic plastics, strabismus, and neuro-ophthalmology specialists and the monthly multidisciplinary Craniofacial Clinic at Children’s Hospital.
During the second year, the fellow will have the opportunity to gain additional experience in craniofacial surgery, plastic surgery, dermatology, Moh’s surgery, head and neck surgery, and neuroradiology. The elective experience can be tailored to suit the fellow’s interests and desires.
Teaching and Research Activities
The fellowship integrates three types of learning experiences to prepare the fellow for practice in either an academic or private setting. The three types of experience are:
- working closely with the primary preceptor in his practice;
- caring for Oculoplastics patients as the primary caregiver in his/her own clinic; and
- supervising and attending the residents with their oculoplastics patients.
Clinical and surgical anatomy is stressed. Cadaver dissection and practical surgery session provide the fellow with an anatomic foundation prior to being the primary surgeon on complex orbital cases.
The fellow will hold an appointment in the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology as Clinical Instructor and will be an integral part of teaching in the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology and Division of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The fellow will actively participate in grand rounds, clinical seminars, journal clubs, and lectures to the residents and will work closely with the resident who is assigned to the oculoplastics service. The fellow will also participate in the annual UCSD Wet Lab for residents.
The fellow co-directs a bimonthly Clinico-Pathological Conference with the ophthalmic pathologist to discuss interesting cases from the oculoplastics service.
Research is encouraged and expected of all fellows. The fellow is expected to complete and publish a thesis in accordance with the ASOPRS guidelines for fellowship and society membership. In addition to the thesis, the fellow is encouraged to participate in several other research projects within the division and to present these findings at Annual AAO and ASOPRS meetings. The fellow will additionally participate in the Annual Shiley Eye Institute Resident, Fellow and Alumni Day.