Program Description
The University of Pittsburgh Vitreoretinal Fellowship is a two-year Clinical Fellowship encompassing all aspects of medical and surgical retina.
This is an intensive two-year comprehensive training program that aims to provide the highest possible level of clinical education concerning the diagnosis and management of surgical and medical diseases involving the retina and vitreous. Upon completion of this comprehensive fellowship, Fellows will be well prepared for an academic career, a high-powered private practice, or a hybrid setting.
Fellows work closely with faculty in the clinics and operating room and learn to provide the most up-to-date care in a state-of-the-art facility, the newly opened UPMC Vision Institute. Under the mentorship of several leading retinologists and vitreoretinal surgeons, Fellows receive full exposure to complex vitreoretinal disease and surgery including pediatric retina, chorioretinal oncology/tumors, inherited retinal dystrophies, uveitis, and ocular trauma. The Fellows will participate actively in performing in-clinic procedures such as laser photocoagulation, cryopexy, photodynamic therapy, and pharmacologic therapy. In the operating room, extensive experience is gained in scleral buckling, scleral fixated IOLs, pars plana intraocular implants (Retisert, Encelto, others), as well as the most advanced vitrectomy techniques and surgical procedures utilizing OR microscope integrated OCT and 3D heads-up display surgical applications. Fellows participate in many complex surgical cases, often involving collaboration with other ophthalmic subspecialty services. Fellows gain exposure as assistants in experimental therapies, including subretinal gene therapy and retinal prosthetic device implantation cases. The University of Pittsburgh is a major clinical trial center for novel (some first-in-human) therapies with opportunities for trainees to engage in academic research activities and serve as co-investigators on clinical trials (if interested, not required).
The program features fully equipped state-of-the-art wet lab and surgical simulator facilities, with 8 fully equipped ophthalmology-dedicated operating rooms. Our laboratory and OR facilities are equipped with both the Leica and Zeiss microscopes, integrated OCT, and vitrectomy surgery platform capabilities. Through progressively increasing participation, the Fellow will gain autonomy in clinical decision-making and treatment. The majority of time is spent at the UPMC Vision Institute. Fellows may also spend time at the neighboring Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
The active teaching program includes didactic seminars, invited guest lectures, Grand Rounds, research conferences, journal clubs, and departmental and regional retinal imaging conferences. Fellows may have dedicated time for research projects, if they choose. The faculty can assist in developing research projects at both the basic and clinical levels. Presentation of original research at national conferences will be encouraged and supported.
Program Director
Joseph N. Martel, MD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Co-director, Vitreoretinal Service
Director, Retina Fellowship Program
Teaching Faculty
Alexander Anetakis, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Jay Chhablani, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Asad Durrani, MD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Andrew W. Eller, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Co-director, Vitreoretinal Service
Director, Ocular Trauma
Marie Hélène Errera, MD, PhD
Retina and Uveitis Service
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Thomas R. Friberg, MD, FACS
Professor of Ophthalmology
Denise Gallagher, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Farzad Jamshidi, MD
Retina and Ocular Oncology Service
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Colin J. Prensky, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Boris Rosin, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
José-Alain Sahel, MD
Distinguished Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Exceptional Class Professor at Sorbonne Université, Paris
The Eye and Ear Foundation Endowed Chair
Contact Information
Please contact Sophie Choo, GME Sr. Dept. Manager, chooso@upmc.edu for more information.
Current and Former Fellows
| Current Fellows |
|---|
| Aditya Uppuluri, MD - Vitreoretinal Fellow |
| Mohammed Elmasry, MD - Vitreoretinal Fellow |
| Former Fellows | |
|---|---|
| 2023 – 2025 | Tatyana Beketova, MD Current position: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Los Angeles County Hospital |
| 2022 – 2024 | Kyle Fallgatter, MD Current position: Florida Retina Institute |
| 2021 - 2023 | Denise Gallagher, MD Current position: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh |
| 2020 - 2022 | Sohani Amarasekera, MD Current position: Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Bay Area, California |
| 2019 - 2021 | Boris Rosin, MD, PhD Current position: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh |
| 2018 - 2020 | Kasia Brodowska, MD, PhD Current position: Retina Institute of Illinois |
| 2017 - 2019 | Vincent Nguyen, MD Current position: San Diego Retina Associates |
| 2016 - 2018 | Malika Doss, MD Current position: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University |
| 2015 - 2017 | Ailee Laham, MD Current position: Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Memphis, TN |
| 2014 - 2016 | George Trichonas, MD Current position: Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Athens, Greece |
| 2013 - 2015 | Victor Neamtu, MD Current position: Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Louisville, KY |
| 2011 - 2013 | Farhad Safi, MD |
| 2010 - 2011 | Rodney Coe, MD |
| 2009 - 2010 | Rajiv Shah, MD |