Ophthalmology Residency Program

• Tailored Transitional Year: Unique included transitional PGY-I year which finishes with three months of dedicated ophthalmology exposure.
• Expansive Clinical Experience: Clinical rotations embedded in local established and successful general ophthalmology and subspecialty practices with exposure to varied volume levels, pathology types and community compositions.
• Comprehensive Academic Program: Combines an internal teaching schedule including lectures on academic and clinical topics, research exposure and mentorship. Some exposure to collaborative outside teaching lectures and research opportunities are also available. Residents participate in intensive didactic learning experiences which include a week of structured lectures conducted by the Wills Eye Institute.
• Strong Emphasis on Communication: Residents learn to evaluate peer-reviewed literature and to integrate cutting edge research into their practice of evidence-based medicine. They learn the critical communication tools in an evolving clinical landscape to discuss medical findings within their communities and in professional settings.
• Acute Care and Surgical Experiences: Inpatient and emergency room clinical and surgical rounds and practice within a Level I and a Level II trauma center and within ambulatory care facilities.
• Research Opportunities: Residents may publish in peer-reviewed journals and may present at national meetings including the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). Residents participate in administering pharmaceutical studies conducted within community clinics. Oversight is provided in clinical studies and in academic research with an emphasis on the emerging fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence within clinical medicine. Residents have access to statistical software, an Institutional Review Board and qualified clinical and non-clinical faculty mentors.

Program Overview

The Ophthalmology Residency Program aims to produce compassionate physicians with the clinical knowledge to excel in ophthalmology and the surgical skills to perform with confidence and precision. Residents receive training in diverse patient populations across multiple hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and clinical environments. The program emphasizes excellence in patient care, evidence-based practices and surgical technique.

Curriculum

Transitional Year (PGY-1)

Transitional year rotations include experiences in:

• Internal Medicine (Inpatient, ICU, Endocrinology, Infectious Disease)
• Emergency Medicine
• Neurology
• Radiology
• Surgical Subspecialties (Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Surgical Intensive Care Unit)

Three months of dedicated ophthalmology experience are included during the transitional year, providing a seamless introduction to the Ophthalmology Program. Residents will gain diverse training in ophthalmology from experts in both comprehensive and subspecialty care across a variety of settings.

Clinical & Didactic Rotations

Clinical rotations and lectures include dedicated time in:

• General Ophthalmology
• Retina and Uveitis
• Glaucoma
• Cornea
• Oculoplastics
• Neuro-Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics
• Trauma Care

Surgical Training

Surgical training begins early in PGY-2 and includes:

• Wet Labs and Structured Lectures
• Directed and Hands-On Operating Room Experience

Residents perform a wide range of surgeries, including:

• Anterior Segment Surgeries
• Retina Surgeries
• Glaucoma Surgeries
• Cornea Surgeries
• Oculoplastic Surgeries
• Trauma Surgeries
• Pediatric Surgeries

In the PGY-4 year, residents gain further clinical autonomy, refine their surgical confidence and may pursue electives tailored to advanced techniques and areas of personal interest.

We Welcome Your Visit

We invite you to visit the Ophthalmology Residency Program at Broward Health North. We will be happy to arrange for you to meet our residents and faculty and tour our facilities. We look forward to connecting with you—come experience our program. We appreciate your interest!

Rotations

For Medical Students

We are excited to offer a four-week surgical rotation in Ophthalmology for current fourth-year medical students. Applications are accepted through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities™ (VSLO®) Program on a rolling basis. Interested students must submit the following materials for consideration:

• CV or Resume
• Photograph
• COMLEX Level 2 or USMLE Step 2 scores (highly encouraged)
• Medical School Transcript
• Statement of Interest in the Rotation

Rotation Overview

The objective of the four-week Ophthalmology elective is to provide fourth-year medical students with comprehensive exposure to the field of ophthalmology. This elective offers a well-rounded experience in both clinical and surgical ophthalmology, enhancing students' understanding of both common and complex eye conditions.

Through direct patient care, observation and hands-on training, students will develop essential skills in ocular examination, diagnosis and treatment planning. The rotation also fosters an appreciation for the breadth of general ophthalmology while providing opportunities to observe surgical procedures and utilize advanced diagnostic techniques.

By the end of the rotation, students will have gained foundational knowledge in ophthalmic care, surgical techniques and patient management — preparing them for potential future careers in ophthalmology or helping inform their specialty selection for residency.