Ophthalmology residents at the University of Wisconsin will benefit from some exciting additions to their learning experience this academic year – and have the opportunity to learn with a larger group of peers.
Last year, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science’s request for a complement increase. As a result, the residency program was able to add one more resident to the PGY2 cohort for the 2024-25 academic year.
“The addition of a fourth resident was certainly a clear indication of the ACGME’s confidence in the excellence of our resident training program,” said Anna Momont, MD, vice chair of resident education and residency program director. “One big advantage to having a fourth resident is that it gives us the ability to implement a consult rotation.”
Treating emergency room and inpatient consults enables residents to gain exposure to a variety of ophthalmic diseases in the sickest patients.
“This is a definite win-win,” Dr. Momont said. “Not only does this further expand resident training, but it also improves access to quality care for our patients. It comes at a good time, too, as we have experienced a noticeable increase in the demand for our services as we treat an aging demographic.”
“I have had the privilege of being the first resident on the new consult rotation,” said Lucas Maakestad, MD. “In only a week’s time I have already begun to appreciate the significant benefits to our patients’ care and to resident education. My co-residents can focus on their clinic and OR education without concern of interruption by a new consult while I am able to spend time caring for each patient without feeling rushed after a full day. It’s a great addition to the program.”
In addition to the new consult rotation, ophthalmology residents complete rotations in oculoplastics, glaucoma, pediatrics, retina, neuro-ophthalmology, cornea and comprehensive ophthalmology, as well as at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Ophthalmology residents also participate in community clinics that serve the uninsured population and have opportunities to travel internationally to India and the Philippines to learn about ophthalmology treatments in a global context.
“We are so grateful that our program expanded to four residents per year,” said Chief Ophthalmology Resident Breanna Aldred, MD. “This allowed us to revamp our curriculum to include more exposure to areas such as refraction, anterior segment surgeries, and urgent clinics while also decreasing our on-call burden. Our new consult rotation will greatly improve patient care by ensuring timely evaluation and continuity of care. Our new curriculum also allows for elective rotations which will allow residents to personalize their training experience and tailor it for their future career.”
“Our residents have the opportunity to work with full-time faculty who offer extensive experience in a variety of subspecialties,” added Dr. Momont. “In addition to being world class clinicians and researchers, our faculty are amazing teachers as well. They strive to ensure that our residents reach their full potential as ophthalmologists.”
“We are committed to providing outstanding education for our residents,” said Dr. Momont. “An integral component to that is enhancing our offerings to ensure our learners obtain rich clinical and surgical experiences, top-notch mentoring and an unparalleled research experience. We are thrilled to be able to provide these exceptional training opportunities to a larger number of residents.”