Ophthalmology
Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Fellowship
The Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Fellowship is an intensive one-year program. About 80% of the time is dedicated to clinical care, which includes uveitis clinics, infusions, and surgery. The remaining time is available for research. Fellows can spend this time performing clinically oriented research, which may include writing reviews, case series, and book chapters.
In general, the fellow's responsibilities include:
- Examining patients in the various assigned clinics
- Taking call
- Providing consults to Massachusetts General Hospital inpatients
- Responding to patient requests for information or assistance with medical needs
- Being available for emergency visits
- Assisting in surgery
- Other tasks, as needed
Fellows are also required to attend lectures and deliver case presentations in Grand Rounds, as needed.
AUPO-Certified
This fellowship is certified by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee (AUPO FCC).
Highlights
- Fellowship Directors: George N. Papaliodis, MD, and Lucia Sobrin, MD, MPH
- Program length: 1 year (beginning in July)
- SF Match number: 4122
- Additional faculty: Nick Butler, MD; John Kempen, MD, PhD; K. Matthew McKay, MD
Program Details
Eighty percent of the clinical fellow’s time is committed to direct patient care as part of Mass. Eye and Ear's Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service.
Outpatient Clinics
The medical management of ocular inflammatory diseases, as well as the preoperative evaluation and postoperative care of surgical cases, are considered the cornerstones of the fellowship training at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Fellows will examine patients in the various clinics of Mass. Eye and Ear and Mass General Hospital, where they will perform initial examinations, form tentative diagnoses and therapeutic plans, and then present the patients to the attending physician for discussion and final disposition.
Clinic Times
Morning clinics generally begin at 8:00am, and afternoon clinics begin at 12:30pm. Fellows are expected to begin seeing patients during this time.
Surgery
The surgical experience is derived primarily from first-assisting on the surgical volume of the Ocular Immunology Service faculty. Generally, fellows assist on all major and minor procedures.
On-Call
Call for the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service is divided among the fellow (50%), Dr. Papaliodis (25%) and Dr. Sobrin (25%). Call is taken one week at a time. The fellow on call is expected to manage most issues that arise and examine patients in the Emergency Department, as needed. For any questions or complicated problems and assuredly for emergent surgical cases, the fellow should discuss the case with the attending. The uveitis fellow will attend in the Emergency Department and oversee residents for one half-day per week for one-half of the year.
MGH Consults
Most MGH consults are examined by the Emergency Department resident on the consult service. Occasionally, the consult is specifically referred to the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service. Most of these patients are examined during regular clinic hours. Patients who require a bedside examination and are unable to transfer to Mass. Eye and Ear are evaluated by the fellow and subsequently presented to an attending prior to finalizing a note in the patient’s record.
Teaching
Uveitis fellows are an important educational resource for medical students and residents. They have direct interactions in the uveitis clinics and for emergency uveitis cases in the ED. The fellow may provide this service independently, or in collaboration with a uveitis faculty member, depending upon the complexity of the case and fellow’s level of expertise.
Eligibility
All applicants must be Eligible to obtain a full medical license per the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.
Requirements
The Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Fellowship participates in the San Francisco Match Program: #4122
Only completed applications will be considered for an interview at Mass. Eye and Ear in October or November.
Fellows have access to a variety of research opportunities through the Harvard Medical School community. There are also several clinical trial and basic research opportunities available. The Uveitis Service participates in various multi-center trials for ocular inflammatory disease therapeutics, and fellows can participate as co-investigators and attend clinical trial meetings.
Additionally, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass. Eye and Ear has an exceptional ocular immunology program. Ongoing research projects focus on cellular and cytokine regulation of local immune responses in the eye and the characterization of the immunosuppressive and immunoregulating factors within the immune privileged eye.
Salary
Competitive annual salary.
Malpractice
Malpractice premiums are fully paid by Mass. Eye and Ear.
Health Insurance
Mass. Eye and Ear offers competitive benefits, including health insurance for fellows and their families.
Vacation/Sick Leave
Each fellow is allotted vacation time.
Professional Meetings
Attendance and participation at meetings is encouraged. Reimbursement for travel to professional meetings is available.
