Hey y'all,
This post is for anyone who did not match into Ophthalmology this cycle or to anyone who has matched but has a gap year for research. First of all, not matching sucks. Big time. I lived that nightmare a year ago, and it certainly put a damper on the rest of 4th year. However, I made the decision to forego my internship year and do a year of Ophthalmic Pathology and research. And I have to say, my fellowship in Utah truly has been an incredibly productive experience, as I have produced textbook chapters, review articles, and case reports – all of which have been submitted for publication and most have been accepted. I’ve also written board review questions for the Ophthalmic Pathology component of Ophthoquestions.com and will be presenting some of our intraocular lens studies at ASCRS in Boston this April. Needless to say, doing this fellowship really did strengthen my application and gave me plenty to talk about during all of my interviews. Thus, I believe this fellowship paid off in dividends, and if I were you, I WOULD DO THIS FELLOWSHIP IN A HEARTBEAT.
I copied the description used in last year’s SDN post and placed it below. But I want to give you a better idea of what we do…
Our fellowship is split into three main components: 1.) Research; 2.) Ophthalmic Pathology, and 3.) Pre-op examinations
1.) Research: We primarily do intraocular lens research in the rabbit model to test the biocompatibility of a huge assortment of IOLs. These are generally IOLs that are not on the market, and some of which are undergoing FDA approval. One cool lens that we work with is the light adjustable lens. As a fellow, you won’t do the surgeries, but you will sedate and dilate the rabbits and also prepare them for each slit lamp examination. Some of these long-term (1-6 month long) studies yield publications, and since Drs. Mamalis and Werner (the directors of the fellowship) are so generous, they will allow you to write up the study and get a first-author publication. Drs. Mamalis and Werner also encourage you to branch out and work with other folks at the Moran Eye Center provided it does not interfere with your fellowship duties.
2.) Ophthalmic Pathology: As fellows, we gross in each specimen submitted to us from the OR. “Grossing in” essentially means that we describe the specimen’s outward appearance and dictate it so that Dr. Mamalis’s secretary can transcribe the report. Afterwards, each Wednesday, we meet with Dr. Mamalis and a couple of the residents from the University of Utah to go over the microscopic descriptions of each specimen. During my 7 months in Utah, we have seen a wide range of pathology – a couple of retinoblastomas, several choroidal melanomas, and many non-accidental trauma cases – and as a result, you will gain an abundance of experience and knowledge that is unparalleled by your peers.
3.) Pre-op examinations: We divide all of the pre-op patients at the Moran among the three fellows and perform history and physical examinations on each patient. This allows you to maintain your clinical abilities during this year “off.” We also write the order forms for each patient and sometimes, when a resident is not available, we scrub in to assist on cases.
Needless to say, I was incredibly shell-shocked last January when I heard that I did not match. It ruined my fourth, and presumably “best,” year of medical school. My advice to you, though, is that if your heart is still set on Ophthalmology, ignore the haters and please consider our fellowship.
PM with any questions. (Also contact Dr. Mamalis’s secretary, Anna Gardiner, with any questions regarding your app: [email protected]).
All the very best to you.
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Thank you for your interest regarding our fellowship position. It covers ophthalmic pathology and anterior segment research as detailed below. If you are interested in this one year fellowship then please proceed as detailed in the letter and send your application in January of 2013 for the fellowship beginning in June of 2013 through June of 2014.
The fellow will learn the basics of both the gross and microscopic evaluation of ophthalmic histopathology specimens submitted to the laboratory. In addition, the fellowship involves both basic and clinical ophthalmic research. Fellows are involved in multiple projects involving cataract surgery, intraocular lenses, and anterior segment surgery in general. Research projects are performed using cadaver eyes as well as animal eyes. Clinical research opportunities involve various clinical studies in areas as diverse as cataract surgery adjunct treatments, intraocular lenses, dry eyes, and ocular inflammation. In addition, the fellows are involved in ongoing research projects regarding the analysis of postoperative endophthalmitis/inflammation as well as ongoing studies of complications of foldable intraocular lenses.
The fellows have a chance to spend time in the ophthalmology clinics as well as assisting in ophthalmic surgeries. During this one-year fellowship position, the fellow may attend any departmental lectures, conferences and Grand Rounds. There is ample opportunity for publications during the one-year fellowship.
Applicants should either have an MD or DO degree. In addition to your resume which you may have already forwarded, please send the following: a personal statement, three letters of reference, US-MLE steps 1, 2, or 3 scores, and any ECFMG certificates if applicable. If it is more convenient, you may simply forward your central application match packet to me. If you have already applied to Utah for this past match cycle, we are able to pull up your application so sending a new one would be unnecessary.
This fellowship is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable knowledge in ophthalmology as well as to obtain publications which would help to prepare for an ophthalmology residency program.
The basic stipend is approximately $30,000 per year. However, the fellows will do preoperative physical examinations on surgical patients and may have an opportunity to work with Utah Lions Eye Bank. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
This post is for anyone who did not match into Ophthalmology this cycle or to anyone who has matched but has a gap year for research. First of all, not matching sucks. Big time. I lived that nightmare a year ago, and it certainly put a damper on the rest of 4th year. However, I made the decision to forego my internship year and do a year of Ophthalmic Pathology and research. And I have to say, my fellowship in Utah truly has been an incredibly productive experience, as I have produced textbook chapters, review articles, and case reports – all of which have been submitted for publication and most have been accepted. I’ve also written board review questions for the Ophthalmic Pathology component of Ophthoquestions.com and will be presenting some of our intraocular lens studies at ASCRS in Boston this April. Needless to say, doing this fellowship really did strengthen my application and gave me plenty to talk about during all of my interviews. Thus, I believe this fellowship paid off in dividends, and if I were you, I WOULD DO THIS FELLOWSHIP IN A HEARTBEAT.
I copied the description used in last year’s SDN post and placed it below. But I want to give you a better idea of what we do…
Our fellowship is split into three main components: 1.) Research; 2.) Ophthalmic Pathology, and 3.) Pre-op examinations
1.) Research: We primarily do intraocular lens research in the rabbit model to test the biocompatibility of a huge assortment of IOLs. These are generally IOLs that are not on the market, and some of which are undergoing FDA approval. One cool lens that we work with is the light adjustable lens. As a fellow, you won’t do the surgeries, but you will sedate and dilate the rabbits and also prepare them for each slit lamp examination. Some of these long-term (1-6 month long) studies yield publications, and since Drs. Mamalis and Werner (the directors of the fellowship) are so generous, they will allow you to write up the study and get a first-author publication. Drs. Mamalis and Werner also encourage you to branch out and work with other folks at the Moran Eye Center provided it does not interfere with your fellowship duties.
2.) Ophthalmic Pathology: As fellows, we gross in each specimen submitted to us from the OR. “Grossing in” essentially means that we describe the specimen’s outward appearance and dictate it so that Dr. Mamalis’s secretary can transcribe the report. Afterwards, each Wednesday, we meet with Dr. Mamalis and a couple of the residents from the University of Utah to go over the microscopic descriptions of each specimen. During my 7 months in Utah, we have seen a wide range of pathology – a couple of retinoblastomas, several choroidal melanomas, and many non-accidental trauma cases – and as a result, you will gain an abundance of experience and knowledge that is unparalleled by your peers.
3.) Pre-op examinations: We divide all of the pre-op patients at the Moran among the three fellows and perform history and physical examinations on each patient. This allows you to maintain your clinical abilities during this year “off.” We also write the order forms for each patient and sometimes, when a resident is not available, we scrub in to assist on cases.
Needless to say, I was incredibly shell-shocked last January when I heard that I did not match. It ruined my fourth, and presumably “best,” year of medical school. My advice to you, though, is that if your heart is still set on Ophthalmology, ignore the haters and please consider our fellowship.
PM with any questions. (Also contact Dr. Mamalis’s secretary, Anna Gardiner, with any questions regarding your app: [email protected]).
All the very best to you.
--------------
Thank you for your interest regarding our fellowship position. It covers ophthalmic pathology and anterior segment research as detailed below. If you are interested in this one year fellowship then please proceed as detailed in the letter and send your application in January of 2013 for the fellowship beginning in June of 2013 through June of 2014.
The fellow will learn the basics of both the gross and microscopic evaluation of ophthalmic histopathology specimens submitted to the laboratory. In addition, the fellowship involves both basic and clinical ophthalmic research. Fellows are involved in multiple projects involving cataract surgery, intraocular lenses, and anterior segment surgery in general. Research projects are performed using cadaver eyes as well as animal eyes. Clinical research opportunities involve various clinical studies in areas as diverse as cataract surgery adjunct treatments, intraocular lenses, dry eyes, and ocular inflammation. In addition, the fellows are involved in ongoing research projects regarding the analysis of postoperative endophthalmitis/inflammation as well as ongoing studies of complications of foldable intraocular lenses.
The fellows have a chance to spend time in the ophthalmology clinics as well as assisting in ophthalmic surgeries. During this one-year fellowship position, the fellow may attend any departmental lectures, conferences and Grand Rounds. There is ample opportunity for publications during the one-year fellowship.
Applicants should either have an MD or DO degree. In addition to your resume which you may have already forwarded, please send the following: a personal statement, three letters of reference, US-MLE steps 1, 2, or 3 scores, and any ECFMG certificates if applicable. If it is more convenient, you may simply forward your central application match packet to me. If you have already applied to Utah for this past match cycle, we are able to pull up your application so sending a new one would be unnecessary.
This fellowship is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable knowledge in ophthalmology as well as to obtain publications which would help to prepare for an ophthalmology residency program.
The basic stipend is approximately $30,000 per year. However, the fellows will do preoperative physical examinations on surgical patients and may have an opportunity to work with Utah Lions Eye Bank. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
