Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship

Education & Training

Clinical Experience

The Fellow is granted the academic title of Acting Instructor at the University of Washington, and is based primarily at Seattle Children’s Hospital (main campus and Bellevue satellite), with additional adult strabismus exposure at the University of Washington Eye Institute. The fellow will gain experience with common pediatric ophthalmologic issues along with a plethora of unusual and rare disorders that present to a quaternary care institution serving the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) region with a catchment area of 11 million patients. The Ophthalmology Clinics at Seattle Children's Hospital provide standard eye examinations for children with straightforward eye problems as well as consultations for children with highly complex ocular and medical issues. In addition, the fellow participates in the wide range of surgical procedures that comprise pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus, including simple and complex strabismus, pediatric cataract and glaucoma surgery, nasolacrimal and pediatric oculoplastic procedures, and surveillance and treatment of retinoblastoma and retinopathy of prematurity. The fellow also has the opportunity to interact with expert vision scientists in the Seattle Children's Hospital visual sensory and oculomotor laboratories, participating in behavioral testing, visual evoked potentials, electroretinograms, and formal eye movement studies. 

Research Experience

The fellow is expected to attend and participate in weekly Grand Rounds .The fellow is also responsible for organizing regular pediatric ophthalmology journal clubs and is encouraged to engage in new or ongoing research projects. Some clinical and didactic teaching for the residents is also expected. The fellow is encouraged to submit his or her work to a peer-reviewed journal and to attend local and national meetings to present the research.

On-Call

Residents take primary call for the Department.  The fellow takes second call for emergencies requiring the services of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Service in rotation with the pediatric ophthalmology attending physicians.

Apply

Application

In our application process, one fellow is selected yearly for the one-year fellowship and has the choice of our two-year fellowship if desired.  Interviews are offered to candidates after a review of all the application materials.  This position is offered through the San Francisco Matching Program (www.sfmatch.org).  Please see the dates and deadlines on the website.  Candidates who will have successfully completed their ophthalmology residency training and who are able to obtain a license to practice medicine in the state of Washington are considered.

Benefits

Salary is paid at an approximation of Program Year level using ACGME salary scale.  The fellow receives life insurance and health benefits through the University of Washington.  Fellows are provided with malpractice insurance for their fellowship-based activities.  The fellow has traditionally attended specialty meetings or conferences as part of their advanced training.

Eligibility and Selection Policy

The University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology welcomes applicants for our AUPO-certified fellowship programs in vitreoretinal surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease, as well as our ASOPRS-certified fellowship program in oculoplastic surgery.  Current residents and graduates of accredited ophthalmology residencies are eligible for consideration.  Preference will be given to graduates of ACGME-accredited residencies and individuals eligible for full licensure in the State of Washington.  The Department of Ophthalmology is committed to developing a diverse physician workforce and welcomes applications from individuals from historically under-represented backgrounds. Our program recruits applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Recruitment is based upon applicants’ qualifications and ability to do the job. Selection criteria for our fellowships include a record of outstanding patient care; a record of scholarship in ophthalmology; enthusiasm for serving as teacher to junior fellows, residents, and students; excellent communication skills; and a record of exemplary professionalism.

Fellows

Current Fellow

Emily Ka Yi Tam, MD, PhD (2021-22)

Past Fellows

Arthika Chandramohan, MD (2020-21)
Laura Huang, MD (2019-20)
Jolene Rudell, MD, PhD (2017-2018)
August Stein, M.D. (2012-13)