Clinical Fellowships

To be eligible to apply for a clinical fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Medical School: All applicants must have graduated from an allopathic or osteopathic medical school.
• Internship: All applicants entering ophthalmology training programs must complete 1 year of postgraduate training (PGY1) in a program in the US accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME-MDs) or AOA (DO’s) or a program in Canada approved by the appropriate accrediting body in Canada. The PGY1 year must be comprised of training in which the resident is primarily responsible for patient care in fields such as emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, surgery or transitional year. As a minimum, six months of this year must consist of a broad experience in direct patient care.
• Three to four years in a Residency Program: In addition to a PGY-1, all applicants must satisfactorily complete an entire formal graduated residency training program in ophthalmology of at least 36 months duration (PGY4 or higher) in either the United States accredited by the ACGME or in Canada accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
• Eligible for the American Board of Ophthalmology qualifying examination, or currently be board certified
• Taken and passed the USMLE steps 1, 2 (CK) and (CS), and 3 Exams; COMLEX for DOs. (Required for medical licensure)
• Must be able to obtain an unrestricted medical license from the State of Wisconsin

For International Ophthalmologists applying for DOVS Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, Vitreoretinal Surgery, Glaucoma, and Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery Clinical Fellowship Programs: Since this position will be expected to take calls as a faculty member and obtain privileges at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, we can ONLY accept applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card holders).

For International Ophthalmologists Applying for DOVS Medical Retina & Uveitis and Hybrid Pediatric Ophthalmology, Adult Strabismus & Comprehensive Clinical Fellowship Programs: Due to Wisconsin licensing requirement, we only consider applicants who have completed or will complete their training in a U.S. ACGME, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or ACGME-I accredited ophthalmology program. Unfortunately, we cannot support J-1 visas or J-1 waivers but consider H-1B eligible applicants for these positions, only if they are not expected to take calls as a faculty member and obtain privileges at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. Applicants must verify their eligibility for the Wisconsin medical licensure and visa before applying to our program via the SF Match system.” For further information regarding eligibility for the Wisconsin medical license (unrestricted), please visit DSPS Home.

• The Department compensates clinical fellows based on the PGY scale.
• The University of Wisconsin (UW) System offers a comprehensive benefits package to meet the diverse needs of our clinical fellows. The University contributes towards the cost of several benefit plans. This is a valuable piece of employees total rewards package.