Program Description
The Proctor Foundation offers Clinical Fellowship Training, available to U. S. citizens and permanent U. S. residents only, and Research Fellowship Training. The training programs are described below.
Clinical Fellowship Training
The Proctor Foundation offers two distinct clinical fellowship training programs:
Cornea/external disease fellowship
We conduct a one year clinical fellowship program offering comprehensive training in all aspects of corneal and external diseases, corneal transplantation (including the newest surgical techniques such as endothelial transplantation, femtosecond laser assisted keratoplasty procedures, and keratoprosthesis), refractive surgery, and uveitis. A second year, focusing primarily on research, may be available when appropriate. Ongoing research programs include clinical trials, epidemiologic projects, and laboratory-based studies in infectious and inflammatory ocular disease, refractive procedures, and corneal endothelial cell transplantation. Opportunities exist for field research in developing countries, AIDS-related research, and training in advanced surgical techniques. To apply, please view our profile on the SFMatch website at www.SFMatch.org, then follow the SF Match aplication instructions.
Uveitis fellowship
We also offer a one year uveitis fellowship, which provides clinical training in all aspects of uveitis, including uveitic cataract surgery and medical management with immunosuppression. Fellows will learn how to diagnose and manage diverse uveitic conditions, with an approximately even split between conditions primarily affecting the anterior and posterior segment. There is also time set aside for either clinical or laboratory research. A second year, focusing more on research, may be available when appropriate. Ongoing research programs include clinical trials, epidemiologic projects, and laboratory-based studies in infectious and inflammatory ocular disease. Fellows have clinical rotations with Dr. Acharya, Dr. Margolis and Dr. Wong. To apply, please view our profile on the SFMatch website at www.SFMatch.org, and follow the SF Match application instructions.
Seminars and educational activities associated with both fellowship training programs include:
- One or more research projects, to be carried out with Proctor Foundation faculty members.
- Presentation of research at national meetings, including AAO, ARVO and subspecialty meetings.
- Participation in Cornea Clinic, Uveitis Clinic and weekly Proctor Service Rounds, which includes both cornea and uveitis cases, and provides clinical training in a setting that stimulates discussion of pathophysiologic and microbiologic aspects of specific disease entities. The Proctor Service Rounds is directed by Drs. Lietman and Margolis, with the assistance of Drs. Acharya, Keenan, Jeng, Whitcher and McLeod. The Uveitis Clinic is directed by Dr. Acharya.
- On Wednesday mornings, all Proctor Fellows and Ophthalmology Residents attend Kodachrome Conference, a didactic session where slides of unknowns are discussed by Drs. Whitcher, Acharya, Keenan, Jeng, Lietman, and Margolis. During the year, there is comprehensive coverage of cornea, external disease and uveitis pathology.
- Fellows prepare and present a one-hour seminar on a specific topic in cornea and external diseases or uveitis during the year. Fellows also present individual cases discussions at the Department of Ophthalmology Grand Rounds several times a year.
- Fellows participate in weekly one-hour seminars on corneal disease and uveitis which include detailed discussion of degenerations, dystrophies, infectious and inflammatory diseases, cancers and corneal surgical procedures. Journal clubs are also conducted during the year.
- All fellows are also provided instruction by Laboratory Specialist Vicky Cevallos in the Ocular Microbiology Laboratory where they acquire the essential skills for identifying bacterial isolates in culture, cytological diagnosis of ocular inflammations, and the appropriate use of diagnostic kits for specific pathogens.
Fellows have clinical rotations with Drs. Margolis, Lietman, Keenan, Acharya, and Wong at the Proctor Foundation; with Drs. Jeng, Hwang, McLeod, and Abbott at the Beckman Vision Center; and with Dr. Holsclaw at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Redwood City. The clinical and surgical experience in these rotations provides extensive exposure to all aspects of cornea, external disease, anterior segment surgery, new refractive surgeries, and uveitis.
Research Fellowship Training
Research fellows participate in didactic sessions, research projects, and observe our clinical approach to the management of patients with ocular infectious and inflammatory eye disease. However, they cannot have direct responsibility for clinical care nor perform surgical procedures. The primary responsibilities for research fellows will be to design and execute well constructed projects. They may also attend organized teaching sessions as described in the Clinical Fellowship Training section. The research training program may include exposure to clinical activities at the Proctor Foundation without direct patient care responsibilities. These activities include cornea and refractive surgery, external disease and uveitis clinics, as well as specialty clinics for Sj ögren’s syndrome, and AIDS-related ocular disease. Clinical and research faculty involved in research fellowship training at the Proctor Foundation are Drs. Richard Abbott, Nisha Acharya, Douglas Holsclaw, David Hwang, Bennie Jeng, Jeremy Keenan, Thomas Lietman, Nancy McNamara, Todd Margolis, Stephen McLeod and John Whitcher. To obtain application please visit our website at www.ucsf.edu/proctor. Click on Fellowship/Fellows, then Application Procedures. |
