Ophthalmology Residency Training Program

The Department of Ophthalmology offers a three-year ACGME approved residency training program in conjunction with Jackson Memorial Hospital. Graduates of recognized medical schools who have completed a 12-month internship are eligible to enter the program. Seven first-year residents enter the program each July 1, for a total of 21 residents in training. Meet our 2011-2012 Bascom Palmer residents and fellows. The seven positions for each year’s group will be filled through the Ophthalmology Matching Program. Information and applications may be obtained from the Ophthalmology Matching Program, P.O. Box 7584, San Francisco, CA 94120-7584 , 415/447-0350, www.sfmatch.org.

During the first year of training, the resident learns the basic techniques of ocular diagnosis and medical management of a variety of ocular diseases. In addition, subspecialty training in neuro-ophthalmology, pathology and pediatric ophthalmology is offered during the first year of training. The second year of training is dedicated to in-depth exposure to the subspecialties of cornea and external diseases, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastics and retina, as well as an introduction to ophthalmic surgery. During the third year, the resident assumes full responsibility for the medical and surgical care of patients with all types of ophthalmic diseases and, in addition, acquires further subspecialty training in the fields of oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology and retina. An ongoing basic science course is integrated into the training program throughout the three years of residency.

The residents have full responsibility for a 50,000 patient-visit per year outpatient facility at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital and, under graded faculty supervision, perform 4,400 laser and surgical procedures per year. The 53 full-time clinical faculty members of the Institute examine 155,000 outpatients annually and perform 7,700 surgical procedures annually. During their subspecialty training, residents have the opportunity to participate in the medical and surgical care of these patients. The resident’s medical and surgical experience is further augmented by integration of the Veterans Administration Hospital, located within the medical school complex, and Miami Children’s Hospital into the training program.

Salary

House staff salaries for the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center are uniform and are subject to change each year. Below is the 2008 schedule:
PGY-2 1st year $48,682
PGY-3 2nd year $50,796
PGY-4 3rd year $53,256
Fellows $40,000−50,000

Insurance

Medical, group life and disability insurance are provided.

Vacation

Four (4) weeks paid vacation are provided annually (one week of which is in the December holiday period) for residents and fellows.

Daily Rounds & Conferences

Rounds on most services begin at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Monday
7:00-8:00 a.m. Journal Club
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Pathology
(Assigned Residents)

Tuesday
7:00-8:00 a.m. Morning Conference
5:30-7:00 p.m. Fluorescein Conference

Wednesday
7:00-8:00 a.m. Morning Conference

Thursday
7:30-9:00 a.m. Grand Rounds

Friday
7:00-8:00 a.m. Morning Conference

License

Residents are required to register with the State of Florida as an unlicensed physician.

Fellows are required to have their Florida license before starting their fellowship. In order to obtain a Florida license you must have spent two years in the United States under direct physician supervision and pass all 3 parts of the USMLE. Fellows on J-1 visas cannot be considered.