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Pediatric Ophthalmology

The Wills Eye Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus service was founded in 1959 by Dr. Leonard Apt, the first double boarded pediatrician pediatric ophthalmologist followed by leadership by the famous Dr. Robison Harley and Joseph Calhoun. Since the founding of the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus fellowship in 1969, numerous fellows have trained here from around the world.

The Director of the Fellowship Program is Dr. Kammi Gunton.

The Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University is one of the world's oldest. Our staff of 9 pediatric ophthalmologists will provide the fellow with a unique experience covering virtually every aspect of pediatric ophthalmology including pediatric and adult strabismus, pediatric anterior segment, oculoplastics, retinoblastoma (with acclaimed ocular oncologists Drs. Shields) and retinopathy of prematurity. The fellow will be involved in all aspects of clinical and surgical care, as well as the extensive didactic programs and conferences available at Wills, electrophysiology, and journal clubs. The fellow will have the opportunity to participate in outreach programs to provide care to underserved children from low economic status. Fellows are offered a one week funded visit to a third world country on a surgery mission. Research supervision will be provided for projects that may include clinical studies &public health initiatives. Our program accepts applications from U.S. or Canadian ophthalmology residency graduates as well as international candidates who have passed all three parts of USLME and also have ECFMG certification. Set in the midst of one of the largest ophthalmology residencies in the world, with over 200 staff ophthalmologists representing some of the most highly acclaimed names in ophthalmology, the fellowship provides access to enormous resources, state of the art clinical and surgical care, and a powerful educational experience.

TO APPLY: please visit SFMatch.org.

  • Overview - Fellowship for Foreign Medical Graduates

    The Wills Eye Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship is a one year unfunded program. The fellowship period begins in the first week of July and ends the last week of June. Candidates are encouraged to find external funding.

    The Director of the Fellowship Program is Dr. Kammi Gunton.

    This subspecialty fellowship will include active, full-time participation in all aspects of the Wills Eye Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Program. The Fellow will have some shared responsibilities in the clinics and administratively. We are very busy and see an enormous range of pathology in both adults and children that includes strabismus, amblyopia, routine vision care, childhood cataract/glaucoma/uveitis, inherited retinal degenerations, congenital ocular malformations, and metabolic diseases that affect the eye.

    The year will include rotations in other subspecialty services at Wills including the Diagnostic Center and the retinoblastoma service of Dr. Carol Shields. Over half of all retinoblastoma cases in the U.S. come to Wills.

    The Fellow will have the opportunity to participate in the full range of didactic and other educational activities at Wills Eye Hospital including subspecialty rounds, weekly grand rounds, and neuro-radiology rounds. The Fellow is also expected to give supervision to medical students and residents who rotate through the pediatric ophthalmology service.

    Research is an important part of the fellowship and opportunities range from bench laboratory to clinical. Fellows are expected to write and submit at least one manuscript, and present at least one research paper in the Wills Eye Annual Conference. Additionally, the Fellow is encouraged to submit their research papers to local/national/international ophthalmology meetings.

    Requirements

    Candidates must have completed their general ophthalmology training or be senior house officers. Candidates who have not passed all three steps of USLME and/or do not have ECFMG certification will be welcomed as observers with much clinical exposure and involvement, and receive full credit for a nonsurgical fellowship year.

    To Apply

    If you are interested in our Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship Program, please complete and return the following:

    • A maximum one page personal statement as to why you want to do this fellowship and what you plan to do with the training once finished. Preference is shown to applicants who have a Pediatric Ophthalmologist position in advance to do so. If you have such a position, please also send a letter confirming this from your future Chair/Employer.

    • Photocopy of your certificate of registration/medical license.

    • Current curriculum vitae

    • Photograph of yourself (not required but very helpful)

    • If you have previously published (not required), a copy of the 1-2 publications of which you are most proud

    • Three letters of recommendation.

    • Documentation of USLME and ECFMG

    All documents should be sent electronically by January 15. The recommendation letters must also be sent as hard copy on original letterhead with original signature.

    Only completed applications will be considered for interviews (offered by phone if not available to attend in person – in person interviews greatly preferred). Formal language testing is not required.

    For more information, please contact:

    Karen Scannapieco, Administrative Assistant to
    Kammi Gunton, MD
    Fellowship Director
    Wills Eye Hospital
    840 Walnut Street, Ste. 1210
    Philadelphia, PA 19107-5109

    Phone: 215-928-3914
    Fax: 215-928-3983
    Email: kscannapieco@willseye.org

  • Overview - Bradway Research Scholar Fellowship

    The Bradway Research Scholar is a prestigious one year research fellowship within Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Wills Eye Hospital. It is a funded, full time, position which is currently open for starting July 1, 2023. One year extensions are available based on performance evaluation. International applicants are welcome.

    The Supervisor for this position is Dr. Kammi Gunton.

    Wills Eye Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus is a very busy service where we see an enormous range of pathology in both adults (strabismus) and children. We currently have over 90 active research and writing projects that involve any number of our 14 physicians, 24 ophthalmology residents, pediatric ophthalmology fellow, medical students and visiting research fellows from around the world. The Bradway Scholar manages this research and writing program including administrative duties, project tracking, management of electronic files, obtaining informed patient consent for research projects, data collection, database construction and oversight, coordination of meetings, manuscript and grant preparation/writing/submission, Institutional Review Board submission preparation, as well as the supervision and assistance of students. Other duties are assigned as they may arise. The Bradway Scholar will manage projects ranging from bench laboratory to clinical and cover the areas of pediatric cataract, adjustment to vision loss, pediatric glaucoma, and all aspects of pediatric ophthalmology. Opportunities abound for the Bradway Scholar to publish and develop their curriculum vitae. The Bradway Scholar is expected to be the lead researcher on at least two projects.

    In addition to hands-on research activities, a research lecture series is conducted for the benefit of all trainees on the service. The Bradway Scholar is also allocated one half day weekly of clinical/surgical observation and the opportunity to attend a wide variety of didactic educational opportunities at Wills.

    Requirements

    Candidates must have strong information technology and interpersonal skills and some experience in the field of medicine, preferably ophthalmology. Medical students may apply. The applicant must be able to work independently with limited supervision. High productivity and the ability to handle a large work load is a key to success in this position.

    To Apply

    To complete your application please provide:

    • A maximum one page personal statement as to why you want to take this position and your future plans.
    • Current curriculum vitae
    • Photograph of yourself (not required but very helpful)
    • If you have previously published (not required), a copy of the 1-2 publications of which you are most proud
    • One letter of recommendation (two letters preferred)

    All documents should be sent electronically. The recommendation letters must also be sent as hard copy on original letterhead with original signature.

    Only completed applications will be considered for interviews (offered by phone if not available to attend in person). Deadline for receipt of completed applications is February 26.

    For more information, please contact:

    Karen Scannapieco
    Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
    Wills Eye Hospital
    840 Walnut Street, Ste. 1210
    Philadelphia, PA 19107-5109

    Email: kscannapieco@willseye.org