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    Department

    • Department of Ophthalmology

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    Expected duration

    • 1 year

Fellowship details

The Glaucoma Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for ophthalmology graduates to expand their skills, offering:

  • Bespoke learning—split your training between clinical and research time, and medical and surgical time, depending on your needs.
  • High exposure to glaucoma surgical procedures such as trabeculectomies, with and without mitomycin, tube shunt surgery, combined phacoemulsification glaucoma surgery and phacoemulsification surgery.
  • The opportunity to present research at grand rounds and at a national or international ophthalmology conference.
  • Development of visual field testing interpretative techniques—MRI, HRT, OCT and diurnal tension curves.
  • A competitive salary.
  • There is some limited exposure to MIGS (such as istent and GATT).

There is one fellowship position available each academic year for qualified applicants.

Program objective

The main objective is for the fellow to acquire the necessary advanced skills to diagnose and manage more complicated glaucoma cases. This would include the appropriate examination techniques, medical knowledge, pharmacology knowledge, laser and surgical skills necessary to manage more difficult glaucoma cases.

As well, knowledge of the indications, and ability to accurately interpret the tests used in the diagnosis and management, such as visual field testing, MRI, OCT, water drinking test and diurnal tension curves, would also be expected.

The fellow would be expected to conduct him/herself in a professional, respectful manner around patients and all members of the healthcare team, at all times.

Rotations

  • Fellows spend approximately 70 per cent of clinical time in the office, improving and learning the examination and laser/office procedures necessary to provide tertiary glaucoma care.
  • The rest of their clinical time is spent in the operating room, observing and performing glaucoma surgical procedures.
  • Scholarly activity, such as teaching residents and other members of the health team, presenting at grand rounds and presenting research is also expected of fellows.
  • One day per week is set aside for a research project.
  • Fellows must participate in the creation of a research plan, critically review literature relevant to the topic of research, assist in applying for approval from the university ethics committee, carry out their project, present findings at an ophthalmology meeting and submit it for publication.

Training sites

  • Aqua i Laser Clinic
  • GEM Clinic
  • Misericordia Health Centre
  • Waterfront Eye Institute
  • Winnipeg Clinic

Training structure

The split between clinical and research time, and medical vs surgical learning would vary somewhat, depending on the needs of the chosen fellow.

Clinical Activities
The fellow should spend approximately 70% of his/ her clinical time in the office, improving and learning the examination and laser/office procedures necessary to provide tertiary glaucoma care.

The rest of the clinical time will largely be spent in the operating room, observing and performing glaucoma surgical procedures, such as trabeculectomies, with and without mitomycin, tube shunt surgery, combined cataract glaucoma surgery, and cataract surgery in glaucoma patients as well as some MIGS procedures ( such as GATT, Xen).

Teaching Responsibilities
Scholarly activity, such as teaching residents and other members of the health team, presenting at Grand Rounds, presenting at Journal Club, participating in research, presenting his/her research from the fellowship year at an ophthalmology conference either nationally or internationally, would be expected.

Research papers
ne day per week (or more depending on the needs of the fellow) would be set aside for a research project. The resident would be expected to participate in the creation of a research plan, critically review the literature relevant to the topic of research, assist in applying for approval from the university ethics committee, carry out the project, present findings at an ophthalmology meeting nationally or internationally, and then submit it for publication.

Admission and application requirements

Application deadline: October 1, 2024 of the year preceding the anticipated fellowship year. July 1 being the expected start date of the following year.

To apply for the University of Manitoba Glaucoma Fellowship program, you must have:

  • A medical degree from a World Health Organization recognized University
  • Successfully completed an Ophthalmology residency
  • An educational license from the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Good communication skills, including command of the English Language
  • Good clinical skills

Panel interviews - conducted by faculty members (glaucoma fellowship trained members) -  will be offered to select applicants pending the evaluation of the above application materials.

We thank all applicants for their interest in our Glaucoma Fellowship program, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Successful candidates are subject to a three-month probationary period to determine their suitability for continued advanced training.

How to apply

Applicants must apply through sfmatch (program ID 7612).Your application to the fellowship program must include: 

  • Curriculum vitae/resumé
  • Three recent reference letters from institutions where you trained, along with contact information (letters must be on letterhead, signed, dated and no older than six months from when the application is submitted)
  • Personal statement letter
  • International applicants must be able to meet the IELTS requirements set by the University of Manitoba

Apply now


All other inquiries can be directed to:

Dana McMillan
Program administrator
dana.mcmillan@umanitoba.ca

Dr. Alberto Aguayo
Program co-director
alberto.aguayobonniard@umanitoba.ca

Dr. Lisa F. Gould
Program co-director
lisa.gould@umanitoba.ca

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Contact us

Dana McMillan
Program administrator
Department of Ophthalmology 
Misericordia Health Centre
Room M264, 99 Cornish Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 1A2

204-788-8446