Consider long-term goals when choosing ophthalmology fellowship program
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A speaker at the Real World Ophthalmology meeting offered advice on choosing the right fit and making the most out of an ophthalmology fellowship program.
Kimberlee Curnyn, MD, said the first thing fellowship applicants need to think about is where they want to be in 10 years and what skills they will need to get there. She said her goal was to work internationally in underserved communities.
“One of the things that I’ve found is that pediatric ophthalmology allowed me to have broad depth of skills for the pediatric population,” she said. “Our bread and butter is strabismus surgery, but you can find that pediatric ophthalmology offers you truly a comprehensive approach to medicine to complement the adult ophthalmology that so much of us learned in our general ophthalmology residency.”
Curnyn said with all of the difficult training that physicians go through before they even get to their fellowship, it is not unusual for them to be afraid to admit their weaknesses. However, to get the most out of a fellowship program, she said they should not be afraid to be mentored.
“They can show you their flaws, and they can show you how to develop the access to resources,” she said. “None of us are perfect, and you can’t learn everything you need to in just 1 to 2 years of fellowship.”
In the small world of ophthalmology, Curnyn said it is crucial not to burn bridges.
“Even if you’re interviewing at a program that might not be at the top of your list, treat those colleagues in the program as if you will be turning to them for a job in the future,” she said. “You’re going to find yourself a much stronger candidate, and you’ll develop ties that will allow you to grow in the future.”
Finally, Curnyn said the mentor-mentee relationship has to be a two-way street.
“Mentorship is a very time-consuming and intensive part of teaching in a fellowship program,” she said. “Just remember the more you give, the more you will receive during your fellowship.”
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Curnyn K. Straightening out the world — Peds. Presented at: Real World Ophthalmology; Sept. 18, 2021 (virtual meeting).
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