EyeCare Partners Introduces 'Advanced Comprehensive Ophthalmology Fellowship' (ACOF) for Ophthalmology Training

EyeCare Partners (ECP) has launched Advanced Comprehensive Ophthalmology Fellowship (ACOF), which aims to enhance the training and expertise of aspiring ophthalmologists, while increasing access to quality eye care for patients. ACOF is a 1-year program that will provide comprehensive training to residency graduates in the latest advancements in ophthalmology, including diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, surgical procedures, and clinical research.

ACOF was developed by the EyeCare Partners Innovation Center, which was launched last fall to advance eye care quality, research, and education.

“As a doctor-led eye care network with a focus on elevating eye care and improving patient access, ECP is committed to developing the next generation of ophthalmic leaders,” Robert Folberg, MD, Vice President of Education at EyeCare Partners, said in a company news release. “Traditional fellowships focus on subspecialities like glaucoma, cornea, anterior segment, retina, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastics. We anticipate this 1-year fellowship will provide new ophthalmologists with a breadth of experience beyond any one specialty and exceeds what physicians who go directly from residencies into private practice might gain in 3 to 5 years.”

The fellowship program starts in the fall of 2024 and will be sponsored by three industry leading ophthalmologists, who will provide hands-on training and mentorship to fellows in a supportive and collaborative environment. Fellows will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to enhance their learning experience. Sponsors of ECP’s 2024 ACOF are:

• John Sheppard, MD, founder of Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, and Professor of Ophthalmology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). He is the Research Director of the Residency Program and Clinical Director of the Thomas R. Lee for Ocular Pharmacology at EVMS.
• Edward Meier, MD, Cincinnati Eye Institute and director of Apex Eye Clinical Research in Cincinnati, Ohio with more than 20 years of experience in cataract surgery, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, dry eye and eye care emergencies.
• Timothy Page, MD, Oakland Ophthalmic Surgery in Birmingham, Michigan. An accomplished scientific author and inventor, Dr. Page holds several patents and has pioneered numerous surgical concepts in ophthalmic surgery. He has also led hundreds of volunteer doctors and nurses in remote regions of East Africa.

“We will train ACOF physicians in a wide range of specialties including advanced cornea, retina and glaucoma care, as well as in the latest cataract surgery techniques and use of the newest eye care technology,” said Dr. Sheppard, President at Virginia Eye Consultants. “We expect the additional time our fellows will spend honing their surgical skills will enable them to hit the ground running once they join a practice.”

Successful fellows will be offered opportunities to join ECP practices and participate in a career-long mentorship program.

By offering this fellowship program, ECP hopes to contribute to the development of a highly skilled and competent workforce in ophthalmology, and ultimately improve the quality of eye care provided to patients in the communities we serve.

Applications for ACOF are now open, and interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply at https://www.eyecare-partners.com/acof/. The deadline for applications for 2024 fellowships is August 31, 2023.