Ophthalmic Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship

Program Description and Application Instructions (pdf)

Program Description:

This Fellowship fulfills the requirements of, and has been approved by, the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (ASOPRS).

This Fellowship fulfills the requirements of, and has been approved by, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. It is recognized as a facial cosmetic surgery training program by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Office responsibilities involve all aspects of functional and cosmetic oculoplastic pre-operative and post-operative care. The Fellow assists the preceptors in surgery at several hospitals and clinics. Pre- and post-operative patient evaluation occurs largely during office sessions at the University Station Clinic, the Davis Duehr Dean Clinic, and occasionally at Lemke Facial Surgery. An ophthalmic plastic surgery clinic at the Madison Veterans Administration Hospital is staffed monthly by the Fellow.

The Fellowship begins with an intense exposure to ophthalmic facial plastic surgery. After this core experience, brief rotations and/or exposure are possible in surgery, craniofacial surgery, ENT/facial plastic surgery, dermatology, Mohs surgery, neuro-imaging and neuro-ophthalmology. Experience in orbital pathology and prosthetics is also available. Elective time is designed to allow orbital dissection (cadavers) and work on the Fellow's ASOPRS and AACS theses and other academic projects. Away rotations are possible, on a limited basis, during the second year of the fellowship. Extra funding for these experiences cannot be guaranteed at the present time.

The Fellow is actively involved in resident teaching, both in the clinic and in the operating room in preparation for academic endeavors following completion of the Fellowship. The Fellow gives a number of lectures to the residents and staff. An ophthalmic plastics/pathology conference is conducted monthly by the Fellow with the ophthalmic pathology Fellow. The Fellow also helps organize an orbital dissection course and contributes in a practical course in basic principles in ophthalmic plastic surgery for residents and ophthalmologists in practice. Surgical oculoplastics teaching at the Veterans Hospital is part of the Fellow's responsibility. The Fellow should develop expertise with the oculofacial literature and is asked occasionally to discuss articles at Department Journal Club Meetings.

In further preparation for teaching responsibilities following the Fellowship, the past Fellows have built large clinical photography collections. The Program Director and faculty emphasize photography in their practices. Principles of effective clinical photography are stressed.

University of Wisconsin Ophthalmic Facial Plastic Surgery Fellows share in a rich tradition of scholarship and academic productivity. High surgical volume and a scholarly approach to patient care provide excellent opportunities for clinical studies. Numerous important advances in orbital, adnexal and facial anatomy have resulted from Fellows' research conducted, often in collaboration with other investigators. Many of these studies have been recognized by ASOPRS and AACS with various awards. UW Ophthalmic Facial Plastics Fellows are energetic and actively generate publications and chapters during Fellowship. Most Fellows go on to active participation in part-time or full-time academic positions.

The Program Director and faculty are fully committed to the Fellow's training and strive to produce the finest fellowship experience available in ophthalmic facial plastic surgery. Very high expectations for performance are balanced by a supportive and collegial environment. Prior UW Ophthalmic Facial Plastics Fellows enjoy ongoing friendships and collaboration. This includes a yearly Fellowship gathering (White Coat Society Dinner) during the AAO meeting.