Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship

Introduction

The clinical fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School is a one-year program devoted solely to clinical experience.  This prestigious fellowship offers two slots annually, with instruction primarily at the Mass. Eye and Ear but also a formal rotation at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH).  The Neuro-Ophthalmology fellowship is certified by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee (AUPO FCC), which is committed to upholding the highest training standards in the field of ophthalmology.

Faculty

Fellows work closely with leading faculty in the field.  The preceptors of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship are as follows:
• Joseph F. Rizzo, III, M.D. – Professor of Ophthalmology, based at MEEI
• Simmons Lessell, M.D. –  Professor of Ophthalmology, based at MEEI
• Dean Cestari, M.D. – Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, based at MEEI
• Rebecca Stacy, M.D., Ph.D. – Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, based at MEEI
• Neal Snebold, M.D. – Clinical Assistant in Ophthalmology, based at MEEI
• Don Bienfang, M.D. – Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, based at BWH
• Sashank Prasad, M.D. – Assistant Professor of Neurology, based at BWH

Fellow Responsibilities

Fellows perform significant roles in the assessment, examination, and management of patients referred to our Service.  Fellows also are expected to read relevant literature widely, and to present 1-2 cases per week to the faculty.  The clinical fellows also perform clinical research as part of their experience.  Core activities such as attendance at Grand Rounds, organization of our two weekly conferences, and overall professional development also are expected.

The Neuro-Ophthalmology fellows also play a significant role in the oversight and education of residents and medical students who rotate through our service, and in the management of our “Consult” service which provides evaluations for all types of Ophthalmic or Neuro-Visual problems of patients who are referred from the (adjacent) Massachusetts General Hospital.

There is an annual requirement of all MEEI fellows to co-author at least one manuscript with a mentor that is suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.  One such manuscript derives from participation in the annual MEEI “Fellows Course” for which the manuscripts center around a pre-determined theme and are published collectively.

Fellows responsibilities also include night and weekend work related to evaluation of urgent medical problems throughout the academic year.  For Ophthalmology-trained fellows, a ½ day per week for six months also must be spent in the MEEI emergency room, and another ½ day per week for six months must be in the Comprehensive Ophthalmology service. 

Fellow Funding and Benefits

Standard medical and other benefits afforded to MEEI employees are extended to our fellows.  The salary for clinical fellows is $50,000 per annum.  Two weeks of vacation time are allowed.  Attendance at the NANOS meeting is required and our service provides additional travel time and a stated level of reimbursement for this meeting.

To learn more about the Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship at Harvard Medical School, or to request an application, please contact:

 Ms. Sandra Baptista
 Neuro-Ophthalmology Administrative Manager
 243 Charles St., 9th Floor
 Boston, MA  02114

 (617) 573-3412
 sandra_baptista@meei.harvard.edu

Updated: December 12, 2011