Pediatric Optometry Fellowship Program
This fellowship works with these departments and clinics:
Vision Center
Our 1-year pediatric optometry fellowship provides a multi-specialty, high volume, progressive learning environment involving pediatric eye care. Fellows will become proficient in all aspects of pediatric optometry including primary care, contact lenses, disorders of binocular vision and diagnosis and medical treatment of common visual system diseases in infants and children.
Due to the nature of the setting of this fellowship, training includes working with pediatric optometrists, pediatric ophthalmologists, vision center students, residents, fellows and vision science staff. The Akron Children’s Hospital Fellowship program will accept one fellow per academic year in collaboration with The Ohio State University College of Optometry.
Akron Children’s Hospital is a pediatric tertiary health care provider servicing a large portion of Northeast Ohio including the Akron and surrounding area as well as Mahoning Valley to the east. The hospital serves many children not only with eye and visual system diseases, but also numerous multi-system anomalies that require ocular attention as part of the comprehensive care provided to these patients. Fellows will have the opportunity to interact with professionals and patients from urban, suburban, and rural settings in a high-volume, fast-paced setting during their time at the hospital.
Clinical Care
The fellow will refine, enhance and have new skills introduced to them related to the provision of eye and vision care in the pediatric population. Daily clinical experience will help to strengthen the fellow's expertise in the diagnosis and management of vision problems in pediatric patients as well as expand the fellow's knowledge of binocular and neuro-developmental vision problems. As an active contact lens practice the fellow will have the opportunity to participate in contact lens fittings and follow-up care for a variety of different contact lens care needs.
Education
Educational activities occur regularly and include, but are not limited to, pediatric optometry and ophthalmology lectures, grand rounds and journal clubs. The fellow will prepare a case report of publishable quality during their time at Akron Children’s Hospital. In addition, the fellow will prepare and present one poster at the annual EastWest Eye Conference.
We offer:
- A multi-specialty, high volume, progressive learning environment involving pediatric eye care
- One of the only pediatric optometry programs based in a children's hospital
- Training toward proficiency in all aspects of pediatric optometry, including:
- Primary care
- Contact lenses
- Disorders of binocular vision
- Diagnosis and treatment of common visual system diseases in infants and children
Our program is partnered with the Ohio State University Optometry Program.
For more information regarding the program, including application requirements and procedures, please visit The Ohio State University College of Optometry Program Descriptions.
Casandra Solis, OD
Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship Director
Akron Children's Hospital
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
330-543-5290
csolis@akronchildrens.org
*Fellowship Stipends 2023-2024
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.
Our vision center has an active clinical and basic science service. The fellow will be encouraged to assist or to participate in any on-going laboratory and/or clinical investigation(s) initiated by Akron Children’s Hospital faculty members. The fellow will also be encouraged to generate their own studies/seminal work, but it will not be required for successful completion of their residency program.
Program Goals
- To train fellows to provide high quality pediatric eye care including; primary eye care, strabismus and binocular vision disorders, diagnosis, management and referral of ocular pathology, and specialized contact lens fitting and dispensing in the pediatric population.
- To provide an opportunity for the fellow to gain experience working alongside pediatric ophthalmologists as well as other medical professionals and paraprofessionals in a busy, high-volume tertiary care institution.
- To instill upon the fellow the importance of evidence based medical care and scholarly activity.
- To prepare those fellows interested in an academic career for competitive positions by enhancing special education skills such as preparing publishable quality papers, presenting clinical topics to other professions, teaching and program development in pediatric optometry.
- To prepare those fellows interested in community optometry for competitive positions either in general practice with emphasis on pediatric eye care or a focused pediatric practice.
