Objectives:
1) To provide a training program in comparative ocular pathology and vision science for veterinarians intending to pursue board certification in veterinary ophthalmology.
2) To establish a truly comparative program in vision science for the benefit of both veterinary and physician ophthalmology trainees.
Background:
A small number of veterinarians enter residency training programs in veterinary ophthalmology each year. Successful candidates are expected to have a high degree of proficiency in clinical practice and patient care, and also demonstrate a strong motivation to learn the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, and pathology of vision systems. Residency positions are highly competitive and it is common for successful applicants to apply several years running. Consequently, there is a need for short-term career development opportunities that provide pre-resident training useful for individuals motivated to pursue a career in ophthalmology and/or vision science.
Specific training opportunities:
Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW), Richard Dubielzig DVM This mail-in ocular pathology service has grown rapidly, reaching more than 3000 accessions in 2007. The service, which provides quality interpretation and consultation specifically designed to be useful for board certified veterinary ophthalmologists, is still growing. The fellow would have a primary responsibility for managing the pathology case material, grossing in and photographing the globes, reviewing the histopathology prior to meeting jointly with Dr. Dubielzig, and following up on consultations or special procedures. The fellow would be expected to write at least one research or case report manuscript suitable for publication, using the COPLOW collection as a resource.
The UW School of Veterinary Medicine Clinical Ophthalmology Service: Christopher J. Murphy, Ellison Bentley, Elizabeth Adkins, and Paul Miller. The School of Veterinary Medicine has a successful residency training program centered around the board certified ophthalmologists on the faculty. The two ophthalmology residents already participate in a series of journal clubs, rounds, and didactic teaching designed to enhance the learning experience in clinical ophthalmology and vision science. The fellow would be expected to participate fully in these opportunities. However, there would not be the opportunity to participate in the ophthalmology clinical services.
The UW School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Daniel M. Albert MD: A post-residency fellowship for physician ophthalmologists interested in a career in ophthalmic pathology is already in place in the Medical School. The comparative ocular pathology fellow would share the learning environment and participate in slide read out rounds with the physician fellow and also have exposure to the guidance of Dr. Daniel M. Albert, a highly regarded ocular pathologist. This would make the fellowship programs at both the Veterinary School and the Medical School truly comparative in their scope and would open the world of medical ophthalmology to the comparative ocular pathology fellow.
Richard R Dubielzig
School of Veterinary Medicine
2015 Linden Drive
Madison WI. 53706
(608) 263-9805
dubielzr@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
The Paragon Veterinary Group is currently advertising for a small animal clinician to work in our 3 centre practice in Carlisle and Penrith, Cumbria. The practice runs an ophthalmology service from the Penrith centre and the vacancy may be of interest to a candidate enrolled for the Ophthalmology Certificate. The position would provide the opportunity to gain exposure to ophthalmology cases in the setting of some of the most beautiful countryside in England on the edge of the Lake District National Park.
