Fellowship Program
AUPO Accredited Fellowship Program
The two-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship program at RVT was established in 1997 with faculty who value teaching and training future vitreoretinal surgeons. The fellowship program is currently certified by The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and affiliated with the Houston Methodist Hospital, Blanton Eye Institute, and Weill Cornell School of Medicine.
The fellowship program is currently under the direction of Drs. Prethy Rao, MD MPH and Eric Holz, MD who completed their training at Associated Retinal Consultants, Royal Oak, MI and University of Oklahoma’s Dean A. McGee Eye Institute. Although we are a private practice fellowship, there is a strong academic concentration with weekly conference/lecture series. One fellow is selected every year through a competitive selection process and receives a comprehensive clinical and surgical training in the diagnosis and management of medical and surgical disorders of the retina and vitreous. During the two-year surgical retina fellowship, fellows work closely with each of the faculty members of RVT. Each physician has a diverse background of training that contributes to the unique fellowship experience. Including Drs. Rao and Holz they train with Drs. Joseph Khawly, Hassan Rahman, Emmanuel Chang, and Jonathan Tzu who completed their training at the Duke University Eye Center, Emory University Eye Center, Associated Retinal Consultants, Royal Oak, MI, and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute respectively.
The fellow participates in surgery and clinical decision-making from the beginning of their fellowship. In addition to acquiring a strong clinical and surgical understanding of vitreoretinal diseases, important aspects of the practice and business of medicine are also developed. They also participate in ongoing clinical trials and have an opportunity to do basic clinical research of their own if interested. There is repeated exposure to a variety of surgical techniques such as scleral buckles, vitrectomy, complex membrane dissections in addition to adult and pediatric retina during the fellows’ two year experience. The curriculum is divided into alternating 3-month blocks in which fellows work closely with each of the faculty members of RVT both in the operating room and clinic. A weekly retina conference provides an opportunity for the faculty to discuss interesting cases, medical and surgical retinal disease management, surgical techniques, and current literature with the fellows. Clinical research and attendance at national meetings are encouraged during the two years. Basic science research is also available to fellows who are interested with Dr. Emmanuel Chang, MD PhD in collaboration with Rice University.
Please visit www.sfmatch.org to apply through the Central Application Service. For more information about the fellowship program at RVT, please contact us at 713.799.9975 or by email at [email protected].
Current Fellows
- Brandon Fram, MD
- Ravneet Rai, MD