Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship Program
This fellowship works with these departments and clinics:
Ophthalmology, Vision Center, Cranio-Orbital Meeting, Neurofibromatosis (NF) Clinic, Tuberous Sclerosis Clinic, Uveitis Clinic, Vascular Anomalies Clinic
If you're looking for an enriching and diverse pediatric ophthalmology training experience, join Akron Children’s as The Jack and Cynthia Miller Fellow in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus in collaboration with Northeast Ohio Medical University. Our year-long program is approved and accredited by the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology.
Our goal is to provide you with robust clinical training in ocular and visual system disorders in infants, children and teens, as well as eye movement disorders and strabismus in adults. As a fellow, you will supervise and instruct students and residents, and participate in administrative aspects of medical care. You will also participate in clinical and basic science research.
The Jack and Cynthia Miller Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus is named in memory of Jack and Cynthia Miller. It was made possible through a bequest from Cynthia Miller. An explosion during combat during the Vietnam War left Jack, age 19, blind. During their lives, Jack and Cynthia were passionate about helping children impacted by blindness. After Jack passed away, Cynthia made provisions in her estate plan to focus their resources on helping others, especially children, regain or improve their eyesight. Akron Children’s is honored to have its first named fellowship in its Vision Center named for Jack and Cynthia Miller.
Our fellowship offers:
- Collaborative research possibilities with fulltime pediatric ophthalmology clinical and basic science research staff
- The most comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus training available anywhere
- Access to thousands of outpatients, consults and surgical procedures
- Caring for patients with routine and medical contact lens fits, including specialty contact lenses
- Scleral lenses
- High refractive errors
- Hand-painted and tinted contact lenses
- Opportunities to participate in regular ED visis and hospital consultations
Richard Hertle, MD
Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship Director
Akron Children's
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
330-543-5290
rhertle@akronchildrens.org
As a fellow, you will be credentialed as junior staff and participate directly in and have a supervisory role of an ophthalmology clinic with ophthalmology residents. You will also participate in attending call, supervise hospital and ER consults, and assist with the organization of surgical participation and outpatient clinical care.
You will be required to organize pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus journal clubs and participate in a clinical or basic science research project with the intent of finishing the project within a year after your fellowship period.
Clinical Care
Our department of ophthalmology is responsible for hundreds of outpatient visits, multiple and varied operations, weekly retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) evaluation and treatment, regular ED visits and hospital consultations. As a fellow, you will participate in multiple, regularly occurring specialty clinics, including craniofacial, nystagmus, retina, glaucoma and oculoplastics.
Education
Educational activities occur daily and include journal club, medical student and resident lectures and Summa Health's ophthalmology weekly grand rounds. Staff attend all surgical procedures.
Research
Our vision center has an active clinical and basic science service. We participate in multi-center trials in ROP, amblyopia, myopia and glaucoma. Fundamental investigations of the developing visual and ocular motor system are carried out by department staff at the laboratory of visual and ocular motor physiology with electrophysiological and diagnostic techniques.
Goals
Our goals are to:
- Train fellows to provide quality medical and surgical eye care for children, and adults with strabismus and ocular motility disorders
- Prepare fellows interested in an academic career with skills in research activity, funding applications, teaching and program development in pediatric ophthalmology
- Prepare fellows interested in community pediatric ophthalmology with skills in pediatric eye care consultation and service, as well as private office economics and general infrastructure
*Fellowship Stipends 2024-25
PL-4 – $71,443
PL-5 – $72,871
PL-6 -- $74,329
Post-Doctoral Fellowship Stipends
PL-1 – $63,384
PL-2 – $64,652
Optometry Fellowship Stipend
PL-1 - $63,384
Vacation
House officers are granted 3 weeks of vacation or 15 customary working days.
Conference Time
Fellows are entitled to 5 days of conference time each year for medical conventions and courses outside the hospital.
Educational Allowance
Fellows are provided $1,500 annually for use toward medical-related journals or books, conferences, and license renewals.
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*This information may differ by fellowship. Please check with the director for specifics.
Research and Scholarship Travel
We encourage and support investigator-initiated research by subspecialty fellows. Therefore, we support research-related travel when the fellow is in good academic and professional standing, and when prior written approval of the program director is documented. All hospital policies relating to travel must be followed.
Professional Liability
Professional liability insurance is provided by the hospital.
Health Benefits
Fellows and their dependents are eligible to enroll in the hospital’s health, dental, and vision insurance programs. Costs are shared between the fellow and the hospital. Benefits are available immediately.
Retirement Benefits
Fellows may participate in the Hospital’s 403(b) Plan from their date of hire. Match dollars are not available to fellows.
Medical License & DEA
Fellows are required to obtain an Ohio State Medical License and DEA certificate prior to beginning training.
Parking
A key access card for convenient parking is provided at no charge.
Lab Coats
One embroidered lab coat is provided if desired.
Meals
Fellows are given $60 every week for use in the hospital cafeteria.
Relocation expenses
The hospital provides reimbursement for initial relocation expenses, up to $1,000, subject to current tax laws.
Smoke, Electronic Cigarette and Tobacco-Free Campus
Akron Children’s is a tobacco-free healthcare system. Prospective employees who test positive for nicotine will have their offer of employment rescinded and will not be permitted to start work.
