Contributions to Academic Global Ophthalmology
Teaching and learning, here and abroad
We are committed to sharing the experience, knowledge, and resources of the UW Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) with institutions around the world in the areas of patient care, education, and research. This commitment has strengthened our programs over the years through strategic partnerships. As a result, we engage in exchange opportunities, share in new knowledge and resources, and learn alternative methods of saving sight to help those in need.
Since the late 1970s, the department has engaged in various global projects and collaborations around the world including Brazil, China, El Salvador, Gambia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Paraguay, the Philippines, South Korea and more. We are proud of our global legacy, positive patient outcomes, and local impacts because of our continued stewardship of these relationships.
The Global Ophthalmology Initiatives (GOI) are co-directed by Yasmin Bradfield, MD, pediatric ophthalmologist and John W. Doolittle Professor, and professor and oculoplastic specialist, Cat Burkat, MD, FACS, who serve on the GOI Committee with the Vice Chair of Education and Faculty Development, Chief of Ophthalmology – William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Carl and Mary Ann Berg Family VA Chief Professor of Ophthalmology, Daniel Knoch, MD, one resident representative, and two education administrators.
In 2023, DOVS joined the Academic Global Ophthalmology (AGO) Consortium, a partner of the AAO, with the aim to serve as leaders in the mission of eye health for all through collaborative efforts across the globe with academic institutions and national and international efforts. For more information about this work, visit the Global Ophthalmology Summit and consider attending the next event.
Questions?
Hannah Baker
Global Ophthalmology Manager
global_ophth@wisc.edu
(608) 263-4157
Non-UW Resident GO Course
Offered through the UW Division of Continuing Studies, this course supports U.S. ophthalmology residencies by providing academic global ophthalmology coursework. Aligned with the UW Residency GO Curriculum, it features self-directed assignments, reflective discussions, and a completion certificate. Fieldwork and hands-on experience depend on each residency program’s offerings. Interested residents can review the course overview. Registration Fee: $150
Partnering Institutions
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UW Residency GO Curriculum
During training, residents can expand their core competencies by participating in a hybrid, module-based academic global ophthalmology curriculum. Available to all UW residents, this program is integrated into the UW Ophthalmology Residency curriculum and is unique to UW and residency programs across the United States. Content is informed by the ACGME core competencies and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) efforts to expand pathways for academic global ophthalmology learning. Residents complete a series of self-directed assignments and reflective discussions based on their exploratory learning experiences that conclude with a completion certificate. With the goal of supporting the next cohort of globally minded and action-oriented ophthalmologists, this course offers residents a forum to prepare to practice as professionals in delivering services to save sight in the ever-changing world.
Research and Clinical Observership Program
Annually, GOI offers a 5-week research rotation and clinical observership to an excelling global resident at one of our established partner institutions under the supervision and mentorship of a UW clinical research faculty. This research collaboration provides training through the DOVS Clinical Eye Research Unit (CERU) and offers the opportunity for the resident to be a listed author, resulting in publications. In addition, resident time is spent in didactics including subspecialty journal clubs, basic sciences lectures, wet labs, case review conferences and more. Interested how to implement this type of program at your institution? Review Dr. Yasmin Bradfield presenting at this program via the 2023 GO Summit (27:00 minutes).
UW Clinical Fellows
Clinical fellows (clinical instructors) who are training under our AUPO FCC accredited fellowship programs may have the opportunity to participate in local and global fieldwork including short-term rotations at our partner sites and global-based simulations hosted by UW faculty. Supportive funds are available for participation in these opportunities and encouraged based on fellow interest.
Faculty
Faculty are encouraged to engage with local and global outreach opportunities as a part of their contributions to the DOVS mission and advancement of their professional development.
Alumni
DOVS has established funds to support alumni participation and teaching of learners on rotations in India and the Philippines. Alumni are appointed clinical adjunct assistant professor positions for the duration of their contributions. Interested alumni should contact Global Ophthalmology for more information.
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Visiting and Clinical Observerships
Short-term opportunities for physician and non-physician observerships are limited due to clinical capacity among other learners including medical students, residents, and clinical fellows and currently reserved for DOVS established global partners when available. Interested learners or faculty must identify a DOVS faculty sponsor prior to submitting a formal request through the GOI Committee. For more information, please contact Global Ophthalmology.
Presentations and Lectures
DOVS is committed to the accessibility of learning opportunities for its global partners and has virtually adapted educational programs and topics for our colleagues outside of the U.S. We dedicate 2-3 Grand Rounds per year to topics on global ophthalmology and members of partnering institutions are invited to present as well as a biennial de Venecia Memorial Lectureship opportunity (more information below on these activities). In recent years, DOVS has seen an increase in UW faculty and learners’ engagement in global webinars, conferences, and presentations. Contact DOVS Education at education@ophth.wisc.edu to be added to our weekly virtual meeting contact list.
Global Ophthalmology (GO) Grand Rounds
These dedicated GO conferences discuss critical emerging trends and challenges faced by global ophthalmology’s subspecialty care and research. Topics include but are not limited to disparities in ocular health, health equity, ocular pathology, compassion care models, sustainability and systems-based approaches, global health education, vital clinical, surgical and research pearls from alternative healthcare systems, conclusions from global multicenter studies on varying topics, reflections from fieldwork experiences by participating faculty and learners, alongside other related educational topics.
GO Lectures Accessible Here
De Venecia Memorial Lecture
The de Venecia Memorial Lecture is a biennial lectureship supported by the Guillermo and Marta de Venecia Fund. Topics for this lecture alternate on topics of ocular pathology, and global ophthalmology and ocular health. Learn more about Dr. Guillermo de Venecia’s historic contributions to the Philippines and our DOVS.
Past Lectures include:
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- 2023 – Dr. Bernardita Navarro, MD, MBA-Ent, Medical Director, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines Inc., Buddhist Tzu Chi Eye Center, Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery Fellow Alumni ’95, “Footprints of Compassion.”
- 2021 – Dr. Catherine Macaraig, MD, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellow Alumni ’94, “Challenges in the Management of Pediatric Eye Disease in the Philippines.”
- 2017 – Dr. Antonio Say, MD, MPHED, President, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines Inc., Buddhist Tzu Chi Eye Center, Philippines, “Phacoemulsification for Brunescent Cataract in a Rural Community Setting: A 20-Year Experience.”