Vitreo-Retinal Disease & Surgery Fellowship Program
Associates in Ophthalmology, Ltd.
Introduction
The Vitreo-Retinal Fellowship Program at Associates in Ophthalmology, West Mifflin, PA, is a two-year surgical/medical fellowship that offers comprehensive training in the surgical and medical management of vitreo-retinal diseases. Associates in Ophthalmology, is a high volume multi-specialty, private practice (due in part, to the high concentration of patients over the age of 65, in the Western Pennsylvania region).
The fellowship is a two-year fellowship that offers comprehensive training in the surgical and medical management of vitreo-retinal diseases. The fellow would be expected to develop Independent judgment skills as well as excellent technical skills in a patient focused, fast paced environment. The fellow will be supervised by 4 retina specialists and will be directly involved in the evaluation of patients, interpretation of fluorescein angiography and ultrasonography, laser photocoagulation, intra-vitreal injection technique and protocol as well as 20, 23, and 25 gauge vitrectomy surgeries. Surgeries to be performed in practice owned outpatient ambulatory surgery center. Several opportunities also exist for research opportunities dealing with the posterior segment. AIO is a site for numerous national and international clinical trials. Limited call responsibilities.
The fellowship is administered through the San Francisco Matching Program. Requests for application and other inquiries should be sent to: San Francisco Matching Programs, P.O. Box 7584, San Francisco, CA 94120-7584. Web-site: www.sfmatch.org Fax: (415) 561-8535 Email: help@sfmatch.org.
To contact the practice directly, please call Alice Isbir (Executive Assistant), at 412-653-7489 (ext. 1010) or click here to download an application.
Surgery
The fellow would have direct involvement in the pre-operative evaluation as well as intra-operative decision making, and be responsible for the post-operative management of all surgical patients. The case mix would include all currently employed methods of vitreo-retinal surgery including scleral buckling surgery and pars plans victrectomy. The surgical experience will include exposure to various techniques such as the use of intra-ocular gases, silicone oil and perfluorocarbon liquids. Proficiency in the management of retinal detachments, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinal tears, intraocular foreign bodies, macular disorders, endophthalmitis, macular holes and epiretinal membranes will be achieved by the fellow.
Medical
The fellow would have exposure to both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to all types of medical retinal problems. This may include macular degeneration, intraocular tumors, retinal vascular disorders, hereditary chorio-retinal degenerations and dystrophies, and uveitis.
Because of Associates in Ophthalmology’s high retina volume, there will be extensive experience with fluorescein and ICG angiography as well as other forms of retinal imaging such as OCT. Ample opportunities will exist for the fellow to interpret and assist in the reporting of all angiograms and OCT’S. The fellow will help organize the biweekly retinal imaging conference.
Research
“Associates in Ophthalmology has a dedicated research department with three full time clinical coordinators to assist with the management of multi-center clinical trials as well as investigator-initiated trials.”
Ambulatory Surgery Center
Associates Surgery Centers, LLC, is a private practice ambulatory surgery center with state-of-the art equipment. The highest technology of vitreo-retinal instruments for 20, 23, and 25 gauge surgeries will be available to the fellow, as well as the latest model of Zeiss operating microscopes with assistant and video attachments.
Affiliated Hospitals
- Associates Surgery Centers
- UPMC Monroeville Ambulatory Surgery Center
- Ohio Valley General Hospital
- UPMC Presbyterian
- UPMC Montefiore
Appointments
- Fellowship appointments run from July 1 to June 30 over a 2year period. The stipend would be $40,000/year for the 1st year and $50,000 for the second year.
- Fellow would take emergency/triage calls with staff surgeon support.
- A cell phone would be provided.
- A library and references including current journals will be available
- 3 weeks vacation per year.
Staff
AIO has a full staff of RN’S, COT’S and COA’S dedicated to the care of our patients both in the clinic and Operating Room. A “scribe” system has been in place for decades to maximize efficiency, and the clinic space is equipped with electronic medical records and video monitors for computerized patient education.
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