Our fellowship is a 2-year ASOPRS approved fellowship. This training program is designed to provide exposure to all aspects of ophthalmic plastic surgery.
Clinical Expertise
Our service has dedicated consultation and treatment rooms. The department has a fully-equipped Ophthalmic Procedure Suite and the service has access to the University of Iowa Health Care Ambulatory Surgery Center on the fourth floor of the same building as well as the UI Health Care Operating Rooms and UI Stead Family Children's Hospital on the fifth floor. Additionally, the fellow operates at the Iowa City Veteran's Hospital across the street one day a month.
Due to the nature of oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery, the fellow often provides complex patient care alongside specialists from the departments of otolaryngology, dermatology, head and neck surgery, pathology, radiology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and others.
Program Objectives
The overall objective of this fellowship is to offer an exceptional blend of clinical opportunities and research experience in an academic setting. Fellows will receive training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases of the eyelids, orbit, and lacrimal system. The patient populations we serve provide a rich experience in functional, cosmetic, and trauma-related eye surgery.
Our goal is to produce competent and compassionate practitioners with the clinical judgment and skills required of an oculoplastic surgeon. Our fellowship graduates are both community practitioners and faculty members at academic medical centers.
Engage in Research
Each ophthalmology fellow is expected to complete a research project based on clinical or laboratory experience. Research is usually performed within the department, but can take place in another department or, occasionally, at another institution. The research interests of the faculty are varied, and many projects are in progress. Presentations of research are made annually during the Resident/Fellow Research Conference at the end of the academic year. The P.J. Leinfelder Award is given annually by a faculty committee to the fellow who has made the most significant contributions in preparing and delivering their research.
To gain entrance to ASOPRS, the fellow is required to complete a scholarly thesis. There are ample opportunities for research and our oculoplastics faculty members can be instrumental in guiding the research process.
See the most recent Resident/Fellow Research Day.
About the Iowa Institute for Vision Research.
Training and Education
Teaching
Fellows attend and participate in Grand Rounds, which occur four days per week. The fellow assists with resident and medical student training in the clinic and OR, and lectures on subjects related to the specialty.
On-Call
While ophthalmology residents take primary call for the Department, the fellow takes second call for emergencies requiring the services of the Oculoplastics Service.
Call
Weekend and evening call involves covering the Cornea and External Disease call when faculty are out of town; this happens infrequently during the year with no more than 20 days required. The fellow has an obligation to cover Comprehensive/General Ophthalmology call twice a year to allow time for the residents to participate in the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) Examination or the Cataract Surgery Course.
Meetings
The fellow attends any meetings of the Midwest Academic Refractive Consortium (MARC), whether it is held in Iowa City or one of the other centers, such as Kansas City with Dr. Durrie’s office.
Daily Schedule
Monday-Thursday
Morning Rounds
8:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.
Monday
Cornea Clinic
8:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday
Cornea Clinic with Dr. Greiner or Laser Refractive with Dr. Sales
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday
Surgery with Dr. Greiner
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday
Surgery with Dr. Sales, or Cornea Clinic with Dr. Greiner
7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
Cornea Clinic with Dr. Sales, or Laser Refractive:
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
on call rotation
Sunday
on call rotation
ASOPRS approval
Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowships are not accredited by the ACGME.
The fellowship is approved by and monitored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS).
The Fellowship is sponsored by the Department of Ophthalmology at University of Iowa.
Board Certification Requirements
While Ophthalmology, as a specialty, is board certified, Ophthalmology subspecialty fellowships are not board certified. Visit the American Board of Ophthalmology for specifics on board certification requirements.
Salary and Benefits Summary
Salary is based on a post-graduate training level and is set by the Graduate Medical Education (GME) office. Most fellow physicians are paid at the PGY-5 level.
- Competitive Stipends
- Comprehensive medical, dental, hospitalization and pharmacy benefits for residents/fellows and their dependents
- Vacation each year: 3 weeks, for specific information Paid Time Off and Leave Information