Oculoplastics Fellowship
The Oculoplastic Surgery Division of the Wilmer Eye Institute offers comprehensive fellowship training in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Our program is a recognized American Society of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellowship and starts on odd calendar years.
Training covers all areas of Oculofacial Surgery, from skull base to cosmetic surgery. Fellows have extensive exposure to orbital pathology and surgery including orbital tumors, orbital decompressions and primary/secondary orbital reconstructive surgery. The Wilmer Eye Institute is a premier Ophthalmology Department providing the highest quality care for patients from all over the world. It is an enriching academic environment to learn, teach and pursue academic endeavors. Additionally, being based at Johns Hopkins means that there are equally top-notch partners in all related disciplines allowing for opportunities to learn (in rotation or on multi-disciplinary cases) from leaders in their fields.
The Wilmer Eye Institute includes not only the Baltimore location within the Johns Hopkins medical campus but multiple comprehensive state-of-the-art satellite locations. These locations in the community provide comprehensive Oculoplastic coverage including a broad volume surgical and non-surgical cosmetic care.
Program Curriculum
Clinical, Surgical and Patient Care Responsibilities
Our fellowship is designed to provide intensive surgical and medical training. Fellows participate in both supervised and independent clinics as well as surgery. Surgical independence is tailored to an individual fellow's ability. Supervision is readily available at all times with designated backup scheduled for all cases. Fellows participate in the care of complex patients which may be co-managed with numerous departments, including otolaryngology, general plastic surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, pathology, oncology, dermatology, endocrinology, and rheumatology on a continuous basis. Fellows also work directly with an ocularist in making and maintaining prosthesis.
History & Faculty
Oculoplastic Surgery Education has been an integral part of the Wilmer Eye Institute for several decades. Dr. Charles E. Iliff, III was a pioneer in Oculoplastic Surgery with a 50-year long association with Wilmer beginning in 1943. His two sons, Dr. Nicholas Iliff and Dr. W. Jackson Iliff followed in his footsteps and trained multiple fellows during their illustrious careers. Wilmer has been home to two previous additional ASOPRS-accredited fellowships under Dr. Shannath Merbs and Dr. Tim McCulley prior to their moving on to lead at other institutions.
Dr. Nicholas Mahoney is the current fellowship Program Director. He has been involved in the training of fellows since joining the faculty in 2012, functioning as the primary educator during times of transition for both of the previous ASOPRS programs and receiving formal ASOPRS accreditation in 2022. Fellows also work closely with the other full-time Oculoplastics faculty: Dr. Fatemeh Rajaii, Dr. Ashley Campbell and Dr Emily Li as well as the many faculty at Wilmer and in other departments at Hopkins.
Previous fellows have enjoyed successful pursuits of academic careers as well as private practice positions throughout the country.
Didactic Components
Training includes participation in regular didactic conferences, including weekly ophthalmology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology grand rounds, monthly oculoplastic teaching rounds and head and neck tumor boards.
Teaching
Fellows not only learn but also function as educators. Fellows interact with the world's brightest residents (in Ophthalmology as well as other Plastic Surgery and ENT) and medical students. Patients are staffed simultaneously in many clinics. The fellow supervises inpatient consults with the residents. Surgery is also supervised by the fellow in several settings, including elective and emergent cases. Support from a senior oculoplastic surgeon is available at all times.
Research
Research is not only supported but required as part of all ASOPRS approved fellowship programs. Extensive research facilities are available at Johns Hopkins. Multiple floors are dedicated to non-clinical academic pursuits and contain several thousand feet of laboratory space. Our fellows are not required to participate in "bench" research but should one be interested, it would not only be facilitated but encouraged.
Requirements for Applicants
All applicants must have completed an ophthalmology residency prior to entering the fellowship at a program accredited by the ACGME or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Applicants should complete the Central Application Service form and submit applications through the ASOPRS match at www.sfmatch.org. The application process and match for ASOPRS fellowship training programs occurs during winter months, roughly one and half years prior to summer, with July start dates. Please refer to the ASOPRS homepage for specifics.
Resources
Faculty
Teaching of fellows is primarily provided by the designated primary preceptor, with contribution from the entire faculty of the division of oculoplastic surgery as well as other Hopkins faculty.
Facilities
The fellows receive all training at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute and various satellite affiliates of the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
