The Department of Ophthalmology offers a one-year International Retina Fellowship for foreign graduate ophthalmology-trained MDs interested in gaining research and clinical experience related to the retina. This program accepts one fellow per academic year.
The fellowship aims to address the need for increased collaboration and global training for ophthalmologists. The International Retina Fellowship program will accommodate a single trainee annually as a PGY5 equivalent. Prerequisite training mandates that candidates hold a foreign graduate ophthalmology-trained MD. While the program is non-funded, financial support is expected from fellows' home institutions or alternative sources. This self-funded model aligns with IU's requirement for J-1 visa issuance.
The program benefits other training initiatives by fostering interaction among fellows and enhancing departmental diversity, amplifying our global presence and impact. The fellow is strongly encouraged to participate in retina research projects under mentorship of current faculties. The fellow is actively involved in the education and training of residents and medical students. They help staff resident clinics, cases and on-call patients. They also present lectures, didactics and case conferences and provide research opportunities to our current residents and medical students.