Program Director & Selection Chair: Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD, Professor
Department Chairman: Randall J Olson, MD, Distinguished Professor, CEO, John A. Moran Eye Center
Vice Chair of Education: Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Assistant Professor
About Our Fellowship
We offer a one-year Medical Retinal Fellowship, offering extensive and diverse exposure with hands-on training in all areas of medical retina, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases, inherited retinal degenerations, uveitis, and ocular tumors.
The Medical Retina Fellowship at the John A. Moran Eye Center joins existing and well-established surgical retina and uveitis fellowship programs, addressing the increasing need for well-trained specialists in the medical management of patients with vitreous, retina, and choroidal diseases.
Interview Dates
We will hold in-person interviews on the following date:
- October 5, 2024
Please apply through SF Match #8089.
What Makes Our Fellowship Unique
The John A. Moran Eye Center is the largest vision research and treatment center in the Mountain West, with more than 60 faculty members, 10 satellite clinics, and 20 research laboratories and centers. Physicians provide comprehensive care in all ophthalmic subspecialties, making the Moran Eye Center a major referral center for complex cases with nearly 175,000 patient visits and about 9,000 surgeries annually.
Moran invests in the full spectrum of research, supporting basic research that adds to our foundation of knowledge and then providing the tools to translate discoveries into new therapies and treatments. Research initiatives include the Utah Retinal Reading Center (UREAD), which seeks to contribute to the characterization of manifestation and progression of ophthalmic diseases, focusing on the evaluation of treatment response to innovative therapeutic strategies.
Faculty
The Moran Eye Center's retina division is comprised of internationally renowned faculty members with a special interest in teaching and training young colleagues. The team includes:
- Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD, Professor
- Monika Fleckenstein, MD, Professor
- Eric D. Hansen, MD, Assistant Professor
- Eileen Hwang, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
- Rachael Jacoby, MD, Assistant Professor
- Marissa B. Larochelle, MD, Assistant Professor
- Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD, Professor
- Akbar Shakoor, MD, Associate Professor
- Michael Teske, MD, Professor
- Albert T. Vitale, MD, Professor
Opportunities
We offer ample opportunities in clinics at different locations to intensively interact with the faculty, residents, and medical students.
The fellowship also includes opportunities to participate in conferences, journal clubs and rounds, innovative research projects and clinical trials (including protective research time), imaging analysis at the Utah Retinal Reading Center (uread.org), and global outreach service (up to 4 weeks/year paid).
Active participation in at least one national or international scientific meeting is expected.
As with most ophthalmology fellowship programs, ours is not an approved PGY–5 ACGME position. It is, however, affiliated with an ACGME accredited Ophthalmology Residency Program and AUPO compliant. The University provides malpractice insurance as well as medical, dental, and other benefits.
Requirements
If selected for this position:
- You must attend a scheduled orientation where we will explain in detail all benefits of the program, departmental policies, procedures, and requirements.
- You will be required to obtain a Utah physician license, a Utah Controlled Substance License, and a DEA license.
- You will also be required to obtain privileges with the University Hospital, Primary Children's Medical Center, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
- Fees for the DEA license will be reimbursed by the Department of Ophthalmology. University policy requires original receipts for reimbursement. We will work closely with you to meet these requirements.
Considering a Moran Fellowship?
Take a look for more information about our program and living in Utah.
Additional Resources
Education Program Resources
News from Moran's Education Program
Past Education Focus Reports
- Education Focus 2023: Making the Rounds with Our Ophthalmic Hospitalist
- Education Focus 2022: Supporting and Connecting Trainees
- Education Focus 2021: The Next Chapter
- Education Focus 2020: Leading Change
- Education Focus 2019: Honing Surgical Expertise
- Education Focus 2018: One Step Ahead
- Education Focus 2016: Explore and Expand in a Top 10 Residency Program
-
Education Focus 2015: The Best Kept Secret in Ophthalmology Education
Contact Us
University of Utah School of Medicine
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
John A. Moran Eye Center
Academic Office
65 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Phone: 801-585-3719
Fax: 801-581-5806
Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Vice Chair of Education
Phone: 801-581-2352
rachel.simpson@hsc.utah.edu
Sravanthi Vegunta, MD, Associate Residency Program Director
Phone: 801-581-2352
srav.vegunta@hsc.utah.edu
Meghan Johnson, Programs Manager, Academics
Phone: 801-213-4044
meghan.johnson@hsc.utah.edu
Chandler Thompson, Executive Assistant
Phone: 801-581-3023
chandler.thompson@hsc.utah.edu
Barbara Korous, Director, Operations
801-585-6143
barbara.korous@hsc.utah.edu