Program Overview

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Introduction to the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellowship

The Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital has been in operation for nearly 25 years, since its inception in 1996. It is an Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology certified fellowship training program. Over the years, the program has successfully trained more than 30 fellows.

About the Program

This clinical fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus is a one-year Texas Medical Board approved post-residency training program. The program is directed by Honey Herce, MD, with other faculty members including Amit R. Bhatt, M.D., Adam J. Cantor, M.D., Madhuri C. Chilakapati, M.D., David K. Coats, M.D., Mohamed A. Hussein, M.D., Evelyn A. Paysse, M.D., Irene T. Tung, M.D., and Kimberly G. Yen, M.D. Two clinical positions are available per year, starting on July 7.

The program involves an estimated 3,000 inpatient and 16,000 outpatient visits per year, including approximately 3,500 new patients. Approximately 1,500 surgical procedures are performed each year, covering a range of areas including strabismus, laser surgery for retinopathy of prematurity, pediatric cataracts, pediatric glaucoma, retinoblastoma, and pediatric lid abnormalities, nasolacrimal duct probing, and balloon dacryoplasty.

Curriculum

The fellowship is designed to provide the trainee with a broad experience in the clinical diagnosis, evaluation, and management of all forms of strabismus, including surgical and medical management. The program also emphasizes a broad experience in other areas of pediatric ophthalmology, including pediatric glaucoma, cataract, lid abnormalities, retinopathy of prematurity, and pediatric intraocular and orbital tumors. A clinical or basic research project is required.

The fellow shares the responsibility for medical and surgical management of patients referred to the Pediatric Ophthalmology unit at Texas Children's Hospital. In addition, the fellow assists in the instruction of residents and students assigned to the Pediatric Ophthalmology service. The fellow also serves as a consultant and surgical staff as a clinical instructor for the pediatric ophthalmology resident activities at Texas Children's, Alkek Eye Center/St. Luke's, and the Gramercy Surgery Center.

The pediatric fellow covers call at Texas Children's on a week-long rotation (Monday – Sunday), 26 weeks during the academic year. They are also back up for the resident.

The fellow participates in all pediatric ophthalmology conferences, journal clubs, and other activities and is invited to participate in all other lectures and conferences in the Department of Ophthalmology throughout the year. The department has six journal clubs per year.

Admissions and Benefits

At the time of appointment, the fellow should have satisfactorily completed 36 months of residency training in the United States in a program approved by the Residency Review Committee in Ophthalmology and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or in a Canadian program approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or an equivalent program. Matched applicants will be required to obtain a Texas Medical License prior to the July start date.

The Texas Medical Board also requires that applicants pass a licensure examination (typically USMLE or COMLEX) acceptable to the Board.

Application Requirements

The applicant must submit the following:

• Mailed application
• Curriculum vitae
• Photograph
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Application Procedures

An application for the one-year clinical fellowship and a six or 12-month research observational fellowship can be obtained.

We participate in the San Francisco Match for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus fellowships.

Benefits and Stipend

Medical, Dental, Life, and Vision coverage is available for both the fellows and their dependents. The fellow will be provided with a PGY5 Stipend.

Fellowship Training Sites

Affiliations with leading research and healthcare institutions in and around the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest healthcare complex, provide access to an exceptionally diverse array of people and resources.