Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery Fellowship

The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) accredited fellowship is 24-months in duration and covers the full spectrum of orbit, eyelid, and lacrimal disease, as well as oculofacial cosmetic surgery. A formal didactic curriculum and rich academic atmosphere supplement high volume clinical and surgical training. Dr. Jeremiah Tao is the fellowship director and Dr . Ken Feldman, Dr. Lilangi Ediriwickrema, Dr. Ken Krantz, and Dr. John Park are additional ASOPRS member preceptors.

The fellow gains high volume, hands-on experiences at diverse facilities and healthcare systems. UCI Medical Center is a level-1 trauma center with the full gamut of facial trauma and other oculofacial and orbital disease. The VA Long Beach provides a high-volume source of functional disease. Kaiser Foundation is a large managed care system with a broad range of functional disease and some cosmetic oculoplastic surgery. Gavin Herbert Eye Institute is a new state-of-the-art facility with clinics, ORs, a wet lab, and conference rooms. At Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, the fellow sees a full spectrum of tertiary ophthalmic plastics as well as cosmetic surgery. The patient populations at the various sites make up a broad range of age, demographic and socioeconomic groups. All sites are approximately 20-30 minutes’ drive time, except Kaiser which is approximately 40 minutes away, from the other sites.

The surgical volume is heavy with the fellow assigned to scheduled OR time of 4 of 5 weekdays. The general schedule template is as follows:

• Monday (VA Long Beach clinic and OR)
• Tuesday (AM research time, PM clinic)
• Wednesday (OR at Kaiser)
• Thursday (OR at UCI Medical Center)
• Friday (OR at GHEI)

Primary fellow cases at all sites drive high levels of surgical competence. Assist cases augment a deep and diverse surgical experience.  The following is the approximate case type distribution: orbital 20%, trauma cases 10%, anophthalmic socket 10%, lacrimal 20%, reconstructive eyelid 20%, and aesthetic eyelid and facial 20%.

Formal didactics, including journal club, M & M, grand rounds, and case-based conferences complement the clinical learning. Wet labs, including a cadaver course, are also part of the curriculum.

The fellow has opportunities to conduct meaningful research. Basic science opportunities are available through the ophthalmology department that houses a full research division.

In summary, the ASOPRS fellowship at UCI offers a diverse and high volume ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive educational experience. The academic environment and research opportunities at UCI foster innovation and teaching skills, as well as prepare the graduate to be an outstanding oculoplastic and orbital specialty surgeon.
 

Application Procedures

All applicants must register with and apply through San Francisco Match. Applications should be received by the department by the end of August.

Send supplemental materials — scores on the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP), a CV and a photograph — via e-mail to:

Natally Alvarado
Fellowship Coordinator
Department of Ophthalmology
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697-4375
Phone: 949-824-7105
natallya@hs.uci.edu

Interview Process

Applicants are notified by e-mail if they are selected for personal interviews with faculty members.

Benefits

• Choices for health, vision and dental insurance are available through the Veterans Administration at additional cost.
• Life insurance is provided at no additional cost to the fellow.
• Long-term disability insurance is offered at an additional cost through the University of California Regents.
• Fellows are provided with professional liability coverage for all activities that are approved components of the fellowship program.
• Other benefits include:
  -Two weeks of vacation and an academic leave each academic year
  -Financial support to attend major scientific meetings when the fellow is a first author on a paper or abstract