Program Description

The University of Pittsburgh is a two-year clinical fellowship encompassing all aspects of medical and surgical retina.

This is an intensive two-year comprehensive training program which aims to provide the highest possible level of clinical education concerning the diagnosis and management of surgical and medical diseases involving the retina and vitreous. Relatively newly re-organized the two-year retina fellowship provides ample opportunity and time for clinical training a well as clinical and basic science research.
During this fellowship, fellows work closely with the faculty in the clinics and operating room, and learn to provide the most up-to-date care utilizing the most recent results of clinical trials. In the clinics, expertise is developed in the diagnosis and management of retinal vascular diseases, macular degeneration, retinal inflammatory diseases, vitreoretinal diseases the fellows will participate actively in performing such procedures as laser photocoagulation, cryopexy, photodynamic therapy, and pharmacologic therapy. In the operating room, extensive experience is gained in scleral buckling, sub retinal fluid drainage (various techniques and methods) as well as advanced vitrectomy techniques, both standard and 25 gauge. The University of Pittsburgh is a major trial center and the fellows will gain experience in the principles and methods of clinical research.

Under the mentorship of Drs. Thomas Friberg, Andrew Eller, Alexander Anetakis, Jay Chhablani, Marie Hélène Errera, Kunal Dansingani, Denise Gallagher, Joseph Martel, Colin Prensky,  and José-Alain Sahel, the fellowship offers comprehensive training in the medical and surgical management of a wide variety of vitreoretinal diseases, including retinal detachment, retinal vascular disease, macular disease, intraocular tumors, uveitis, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, trauma, and pediatric retinal disorders. Through progressively increasing participation, the fellow will gain autonomy in clinical decision-making and treatment. The majority of time is spent in the Retina Service of the University of Pittsburgh. The rotation may also be partly spent at the neighboring Veterans’ Administrative Hospital.

The active teaching program includes regular lectures, Grand Rounds, research conferences, journal clubs, and departmental and regional fluorescein conferences. Presentation of original research at national conferences will be encouraged and supported. In addition, the fellows participate in teaching conferences, and relevant clinical and /or research projects for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Program Director

Andrew W. Eller, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Director, Retina Fellowship Program
Director, Medical and Retinal Surgical Diseases
 

Teaching Faculty

Contact Information

Siobahn Gallagher
Academic Program Manager
412-647-2256
gallaghersa@upmc.edu
Eye & Ear Institute
203 Lothrop Street, Rm 821.1
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

 

Current and Former Fellows

Current:

Kyle Fallgatter, MD

Denise Gallagher, MD - Surgical Retina Fellowship

Former:

2019 - 2021
Boris Rosin, MD

2018 - 2020
Katarzyna Browdowska, MD

2017 - 2019
Vincent Nguyen, MD

2016 - 2018
Mallika Doss, MD

2015 - 2017
Ailee Laham, MD

2014 - 2016
George Trichonas, MD

2013 - 2015
Victor Neamtu, MD

2011 - 2013
Farhad Safi, MD

2010 - 2011
Rodney Coe, MD

2009 - 2010
Rajiv Shah, MD