The Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital offers clinical (2 years) and research (1 year) opportunities in Ocular Oncology fellowship training. The fellowship is under the direction of Dr. Carol Shields and Dr. Sara Lally. The goal of the fellowship program is to train physicians from the United States and abroad to be experts in the care of patients with eye cancers.
The Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital of Thomas Jefferson University has been in existence since 1974. We are proud to maintain one of the largest and busiest eye cancer centers in the world. We are honored to have the opportunity to train qualified fellows in this subspecialty and have received 1-year and 2-year fellows from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Philippines, Australia, Taiwan, China, Spain, Ireland, Turkey, Greece, Iran, India and Egypt. The great majority of these trainees have returned to their home countries to pursue care of patients with eye cancer. Other ocular oncology centers in the United States have also trained many qualified individuals from our country and abroad.
 
We do not have the funds to individually support fellows but most fellows obtain grants from their supporting institution or country for this training period.
This is a 2-year program of ocular oncology fellowship training. Prerequisites for the clinical fellowship include:
• At least three years of residency in ophthalmology
• If American: PA medical license, DEA
• If from other country, USMLE 1,2 &3, ECFMG certificate, H-Visa
Year 1 of clinical fellowship training (PGY-5 level Oncology Clinical fellow) is responsible for:
• Clinical care of ocular oncology patients. This includes the diagnosis and treatment for patients with conjunctival, intraocular, ocular, adnexal and orbital tumors.
• Assisting in in-office procedures such as intravitreal injections, minor eyelid procedures and cryotherapy.
•Assisting in operating room procedures with staff.
• Clinical research projects for publication in major ophthalmology journals.
• Participation in medical meetings.
Year 2 of clinical fellowship training (PGY-6 level Oncology Clinical fellow) is responsible for:
• Similar clinical and operating duties as PGY-5 but will more direct hands-on experience.
• Clinical research projects for publication.
This is a 2-year program of ocular oncology fellowship training.
Prerequisites for the clinical fellowship include:
• At least three years of residency in ophthalmology
• If American: completed residency with an interest in ocular oncology
• If from other country, completed residency in home country, J1 Visa, interest in ocular oncology
Duties of the research fellow include:
• Conducting clinical research projects with compilation of data in a relatively independent fashion
• Publication of research
• Assistance with related ocular oncology education
• Presentation of research at meetings
This is a 1-year or 2-year program of ocular oncology internship training before residency.
Prerequisites for the internship include:
• Medical student
• Currently enrolled or graduated from medical school/1 year break
Duties of the research intern include:
• Conducting clinical research projects with compilation of data in a relatively independent fashion
• Publication of research
• Assistance with related ocular oncology education
• Presentation of research at meetings
The medical student summer rotational program at the Ocular Oncology Service of Wills Eye Hospital is a competitive and extensive program that will expose students to various topics in the highly specialized field of ocular oncology under the guidance of world-renowned doctors. Students will shadow doctors in the clinic and operating room. Exposure to a fast-paced clinic will allow the students to gain vast amounts of knowledge. Students are recommended to dedicate at least two months on the Ocular Oncology Service in order to have enough time to receive and complete projects. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to present a mystery case to their peers. Those interested in the field of ocular oncology are encouraged to apply.
Please note that the minimum requirement for summer student rotation is 6 weeks. A 6 week minimum rotation does not guarantee written projects.
It is highly recommended for medical students to dedicate at least 2 months to the Ocular Oncology Service in order to have an adequate amount of time to receive and complete research projects.
 
If you are interested in visiting our clinic during a time other than June – August please visit our website www.fighteyecancer.org to complete an application.
Wills Eye Ocular Oncology Service
840 Walnut Street, 14th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
sandra@shields.md, phone: 215-928-1140