We invite you to learn more about the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Oculoplastics Fellowship and gain an understanding of what our fellows do, what they love about our program (and city) and take with them well into the future. We pride ourselves on our leadership and scholarship in oculofacial plastic surgery, both by striving for clinical and academic excellence and by helping develop future leaders in our specialty. Our White Coat Society fosters our sense of community across the globe – whether gathering at an annual meeting, or working together to teach tomorrow’s leaders.
This Fellowship fulfills the requirements of and has been approved by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (ASOPRS).
Office responsibilities involve all aspects of functional and cosmetic oculoplastic pre-operative and post-operative care. The Fellow assists the preceptors in surgery at several hospitals and clinics. Pre- and post-operative patient evaluation occurs largely during office sessions at the University Station Clinic, UW Transformations, the Davis Duehr Dean Clinic, and occasionally at Lemke Facial Surgery. An ophthalmic plastic surgery clinic at the Madison Veterans Administration Hospital is staffed monthly by the Fellow.
The Fellowship begins with an intense exposure to ophthalmic facial plastic surgery. After this core experience, exposure is provided in plastic surgery, craniofacial surgery, ENT/facial plastic surgery, dermatology, Mohs surgery and neuro-imaging. Experience in orbital pathology and prosthetics is also available. Time is allowed for orbital dissection (cadavers) and for work on the Fellow’s ASOPRS thesis and other academic projects. Away rotations are possible on a limited basis during the second year of the fellowship.
The Fellow is actively involved in resident teaching, both in the clinic and in the operating room in preparation for academic endeavors following completion of the Fellowship. The Fellow gives a number of lectures to the residents and staff. The Fellow helps organize annual skills transfer courses in the basic principles in oculofacial plastic surgery for resident ophthalmologists and other surgeons in practice. Surgical oculoplastics teaching at the Veterans Hospital is part of the Fellow’s responsibility. The Fellow develops expertise with the oculofacial literature and is asked occasionally to discuss articles at department journal club meetings.
In further preparation for teaching responsibilities following the Fellowship, the past Fellows have built large clinical photography collections. The Program Director and faculty emphasize photography in their practices. Principles of effective clinical photography are stressed.
University of Wisconsin Ophthalmic Facial Plastic Surgery Fellows share in a rich tradition of clinical excellence, scholarship and academic productivity. High surgical volume and a scholarly approach to patient care provide excellent opportunities for clinical studies. Numerous important advances in orbital, adnexal and facial anatomy have resulted from Fellows’ research, often in collaboration with other investigators. Many of these studies have been recognized by ASOPRS and AACS with various national awards. UW Ophthalmic Facial Plastics Fellows are energetic and actively generate publications and chapters during Fellowship. Fellows go on to active participation in full-time or part-time academic positions. In fact, five of our last seven Fellows have started in full-time academic positions.
The Program Director and faculty are fully committed to the Fellow’s training and strive to produce the finest fellowship experience available in oculofacial plastic surgery. Very high expectations for performance are balanced by a supportive and collegial environment. Former UW Ophthalmic Facial Plastics Fellows enjoy ongoing friendships and collaboration. This includes a yearly Fellowship gathering (White Coat Society Dinner) during the AAO meeting and lifelong professional networking opportunities.
Please contact Fellowship Program Manager Jennifer LaRosa to learn more about the fellowship program.
The Basics
Director: Mark J. Lucarelli, MD, FACS
Preceptors: Cat Burkat, MD, FACS; Richard K. Dortzbach, MD (Emeritus); Bradley Lemke, MD, FACS; Mark Lucarelli, MD, FACS; Brett Pariseau, MS, MD; John Rose, MD; Suzanne van Landingham, MD
Length of Fellowship: 2 Years
Number of Fellowships per Year: 1 (for a 2-year term)
Position Start Date: July 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Actively Involved in Resident Education: Yes
Research Required: Yes
Block Time Assigned to Research: Yes
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Meet the Fellowship Team
Richard K. Dortzbach, MD (Emeritus)
Bradley Lemke, MD, FACS (Emeritus)
John Rose, MD
Fellow Testimonials
Fellowship Alumni
| Ryan Larochelle, 2025 | Jacques Lasudry, 1994 |
| Elaine Downie, 2023 | Joseph Shovlin, 1993 |
| Jaclyn Gurwin, 2021 | Don Kikkawa, 1992 |
| Suzanne Van Landingham, 2019 | Deborah Sherman, 1991 |
| Courtney Kauh, 2017 | David Lyon, 1989 |
| Nicholas Ramey, 2013 | Chandra Sekhar, 1989 |
| Gregory Griepentrog, 2011 | Jan Kronish, 1988 |
| Nancy Kim, 2009 | Victor Elner, 1987 |
| Alon Kahana, 2007 | Sara Kaltreider, 1986 |
| Cat Burkat, 2005 | John Woog, 1985 |
| John Rose, 2003 | Richard Angrist, 1984 |
| Briggs Cook, 2001 | John McGetrick, 1983 |
| Kristin Tarbet, 1999 | David Segrest, 1982 |
| Mark Lucarelli, 1997 | Russell Gonnering, 1981 |
| Roberta Gausas, 1996 | Michael Hawes, 1980 |
| Steen Petersen, 1996 | Francis Sutula, 1979 |
| Gregory Vaughn, 1996 | Carl Schmidt, 1978 |
| Bryan Sires, 1995 | Joseph Wahl, 1972* |
| George Stasior, 1995 |
Contact Information
For more information about the fellowship program, please contact:
Amanda Lacy
Medical Program Assistant
allacy@wisc.edu
608-263-4823
Fellowship Clinic and Hospital Locations
Clinics |
Surgery Centers |
| UW Health Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery Clinic (DAP) 2349 Deming Way Middleton, WI, 53562 |
Madison Surgery Center (MSC) 1 S Park St. 3rd Floor Madison, WI 53715 |
| University Station Clinic (US Clinic) 2880 University Ave Madison, WI 53705 |
University of Wisconsin Hospitals & Clinics (AFCH, UWHC, UW OR) 600 Highland Ave Madison, WI 53792 |
| UW Health Medical Center 1 S Park St. Madison, WI 53715 |
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (VA OR) 2500 Overlook Terrace Madison, Wisconsin 53705 |
White Coat Society
All previous fellows and other honorary associates become members of the “White Coat Society.” Upon completion of the fellowship, the fellow receives the official symbol of graduation – the White Coat. This is a long-standing, and time-honored, tradition of the University of Wisconsin Ophthalmic Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship, in which a unique white coat is bestowed upon the graduating fellow. Each fellow wears this hard-earned symbol with pride!
At the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting each year, we lead a practical anatomy and surgical techniques skills transfer course, one of the longest-running courses at the AAO meeting. We also look forward to the annual White Coat Society dinner, a wonderful time to visit with each other and reconnect. We have also been fortunate to have had many international fellows and visitors associated with our fellowship program, and we continue to be proud of our expanding family all over the world.
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White Coat Society Members
| Alon Kahana, MD, PhD | Kristin J. Tarbet, MD, FACS |
| Bradley N. Lemke, MD | Leslie Wei, MD |
| Briggs E. Cook Jr., MD | M. Subrahmanyam, MD |
| Bryan S. Sires, MD, PhD, FACS | Manuel O. Palmero, MD |
| Cat N. Burkat, MD, FACS | Mark J. Lucarelli, MD, FACS |
| Courtney Kauh, MD | Michael J. Hawes, MD, FACS |
| David B. Lyon, MD | Nancy Kim, MD, PhD |
| David R. Segrest, MD | Nicholas Ramey, MD |
| Deborah D. Sherman, MD | Richard C. Angrist, MD, PA |
| Don O. Kikkawa, MD | Richard K. Dortzbach, MD |
| Dori K. Hosek, BCO, BADO | Roberta E. Gausas, MD |
| Francis C. Sutula, MD | Russell S. Gonnering, MD, FACS |
| G. Chandra Sekhar, MD | Ryan Larochelle, MD |
| George O. Stasior, MD, FACS | Sang In Khwarg, MD |
| Greg Griepentrog, MD | Sangki Jeong, MD |
| Gregory J. Vaughn, MD | Sara A. Kaltreider, MD |
| Jacques Lasudry, MD | Sara Tarrus-Montaner, MD |
| Jan W. Kronish, MD | Shubhra Goel, MD |
| John G. Rose Jr., MD | Steen Hagen Petersen, MD |
| John J. McGetrick, MD, FACS | Suzanne Van Landingham, MD |
| John J. Woog, MD | Victor M. Elner, MD, PhD |
| Joseph Shovlin, MD |