Retina and Vitreous Surgery Fellowship

Ochsner Retina and Vitreous Surgery Fellowship Program

The Section of Retina and Vitreous Surgery in the Department of Ophthalmology at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans offers an Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) Fellowship Compliance Committee (FCC) two-year fellowship in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous. One fellow will be accepted to the program every two years (odd years). We will next participate in recruiting activities in 2024.

The goal of our fellowship program is to train ophthalmologists to become highly competent and innovative vitreoretinal surgeons. Our diverse faculty and clinical settings will provide ample opportunity to develop a robust fund of clinical knowledge and surgical techniques to prepare for a successful career in retina.

During training, our fellow should expect to:

Develop and refine skills in examining patients with both macular and peripheral retinal diseases, in the interpretation of fluorescein angiograms and other diagnostic testing, in performing outpatient laser surgery and cryosurgery, in retinal reattachment surgical procedures, and in advanced vitrectomy procedures.
Operate 2 to 3 days per week, and develop surgical expertise in a wide variety of surgical procedures.
Meet/exceed national surgical averages of AUPO FCC programs.
Have ample time to study for Board Certification.

Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans

Evaluations and care of clinical and surgical patients at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans
Organizing and supervising a monthly retina and fluorescein angiography conference
Instructing ophthalmology residents and medical students rotating on the retina service
Assisting ophthalmology residents in answering retina consults and referrals on patients admitted to the Ochsner Medical Center
The evaluation and care of patients on the retina service
Staffing resident retina clinic at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma, LA
Performing all retina and vitreous surgery at LJCMC with assistance of the Ochsner retina staff
Performing or assisting the retina resident with all retinal laser surgery done at LJCMC
Fluorescein angiography interpretations at LJCMC

Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center (LJCMC)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
OMC	OMC	OMC	OMC 1,3,5	LJCMC
AM Surgery	AM Surgery	AM Surgery	Clinic	Clinic 1,3,5
PM Clinic	PM Clinic	5PM Grand Rounds	LJCMC 2,4	Surgery 2,4
			Clinic-Procedures

OMC = Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans

LJCMC = Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center

Participate in daily patient-directed case-based discussions.
Participate in regularly scheduled morbidity, pathology, and complications conferences.
Lead quarterly Journal Clubs.
Participate in Ochsner and Louisiana State University (LSU) Grand Rounds.
Attend retina conferences at both the LSU and Tulane Ophthalmology Departments.
Attend the national ophthalmologic meetings held in New Orleans.
The fellow is encouraged to write at least one paper during the fellowship and develop a research project.

Dr. Anthony Mazzulla, MD
- Section Head, Ochsner Retina and Vitreous Surgery, Surgical Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program Director
Joseph Benevento, MD
- Faculty
Sidharth Puri, MD
- Faculty

Joshua Pahng, MD

Dr. Pahng began his retina and vitreous surgery fellowship training at Ochsner in July 2021. He strives to provide excellent surgical and clinical care to his patients and enjoys teaching and mentoring residents and students. His future career plans include continued contribution to the retina field through clinical research.

Medical School
- Louisiana State University School of Medicine New Orleans
Ophthalmology Residency
- Louisiana State University New Orleans
Internship
- Tulane University

Recent Alumni

The Ochsner Retina and Vitreous Surgery Fellowship Program has trained 29 fellows since its inception in 1984.

Rizwan Shaikh, MD
- 2019-2021 Eye Associates of New Mexico
Stephen Hypes, DO
- 2017-2019 Palmetto Retina Center, South Carolina
Jordan Johnson, MD
- 2015-2017 Retina Consultants of Oklahoma
Jennfier Spiegel, MD
- 2013-2015 Pacific Eye/San Luis
John T. Frisbee, MD

Alumni Comments

"I had an amazing experience during my retina fellowship at Ochsner from 2015-17. Drs. Arend, Mazzulla, and Benevento helped me to develop the surgical and clinical skills needed to succeed in my private practice today. During my time in New Orleans, I was privileged to see a wide spectrum of pathology and participate in a plethora of surgical cases from macular cases all the way to complex retinal detachments. I feel my experience here certainly gave me the foundation to feel comfortable once out on my own! I would wholeheartedly recommend this fellowship to any applicants as they will without a doubt be prepared for life after training wherever it may take them."

-Jordan Johnson, MD 2015-2017

nterested applicants should register for the match at the SFMatch website.

Contact Information:

Katherine Cunningham
Phone: 504-842-3917
E-Mail: kcunningham@ochsner.org