Glad I took them up on their interview offer . A hidden gem if you ask me. If you are thinking Pediatrics, this program may be for you. You get 8 months of Pediatric Ophthalmology during residency. This can be a plus or a negative of the program depending on what people are looking for.
Chairman makes an effort to greet everyone during breakfast before starting the day off. The only residency program in the state, which means you will see and do a lot. The only Children's hospital is located in Little Rock as well. All rotations done in one place with University hospital, eye institute, and VA right next to each other and Children's hospital a short drive away. Intern year in medicine is included (optional) should you match here.
Rotations site: VA, UAMS Medical Center/Jones Eye Institute, and Children's Hospital
4 month blocks with PGY2 8 months at UAMS, 4 months VA
PGY3 and PGY4 4 months at each site each year.
Didactics:
Surgical sim course with EyeSi
Lectures MWF 7-8am
Grand rounds presented by residents every Thursday 5-6pm
Wetlab with scopes
Optics course 1st year
Journal club 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Residents day in June present research project (can be case reports)
Call
1st and 2nd Years take primary call, average out to Q6. Weekend coverage is Friday overnight and Sunday overnight or All day Saturday.
Holidays covered by 1st years, with 2nd years off
3 weeks vacation plus 1 week for education/review course, can attend San Antonio review course PGY3, PGY4 AAO meeting paid for.
Residents have great offices, lots of space. Free onsite parking. Opportunities to travel abroad, lots of social events put on by one faculty member. Arkansas, the natural state, offers a lot of outdoor activities. Eye Institute has OR in building which is nice. Children's hospital has on site fitness center.
Surgery exposure starts PGY2. VA offers the use of specialty lenses, ER has slit lamp on wheels, latest phaco machine at VA.
Average around 270 phacos which is solid.
Strabismus: around 60 cases as primary
