Approximately 80,000 patients from the U.S. and abroad visit the Department of Ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic each year. This large and diverse patient base allows our residents and fellows to see and treat a wide variety of diseases during their training.

The department faculty includes more than 25 full-time physicians and scientists representing all ophthalmic subspecialties. Faculty members are active in educational efforts directed toward residents and fellows in ophthalmology.

Each oculoplastics consultant at Mayo Clinic has considerable experience in evaluating and treating patients with complex ophthalmic disorders, and each has her and his own particular interests, expertise, and approach to patient diagnosis and management. Our fellows have found this varied exposure very rewarding from an educational perspective. The staff has collectively published hundreds of manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to many well-known books.

From the program director

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in the Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. This rigorous training program, sponsored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), offers clinical and surgical training in a nurturing environment, graduated fellow responsibility leading to full autonomy, and many opportunities to teach and do research. Our fellows typically participate in more than 1,800 oculofacial surgical cases, the majority as primary surgeon. 

We seek fellows who, above all, embrace Mayo's core value that "the needs of the patient come first." The strong "patient first" culture at Mayo Clinic is embedded into every aspect of patient care, research, and education, making Mayo a truly one-of-a-kind place to work and train. Our fellowship program is also fellow-centric, meaning that the training will be tailored to your specific interests and career plans. 

We are excited that you are interested in the Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship at Mayo Clinic, and we look forward to the possibility of having you visit our department to see firsthand our outstanding training program.

Elizabeth Bradley, M.D.
Program Director

Faculty

This fellowship gives you a unique opportunity to work with experienced oculoplastic surgery faculty at Mayo Clinic. Our faculty come from varied training backgrounds and have complementary clinical and research interests that encompass the entire field of oculofacial surgery.

You work closely with these individuals throughout your training in the Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship.

The fellowship preceptors provide clinical and surgical training across the entire spectrum of oculoplastic disorders. All preceptors are patient teachers in the OR who believe strongly in the value of direct hands-on experience for surgical training.

Our program offers instruction in highly complex multidisciplinary cases such as facial transplantation, facial reanimation, skull-based surgery, and craniofacial reconstruction. Our fellows have the unique opportunity to evaluate patients for, and participate in, face transplant surgery. We also have high clinical volumes of medical and surgical orbital cases, lacrimal surgery, and reconstructive eyelid cases. Additionally, fellows participate in the care of hundreds of patients with common eyelid disorders who are seen in both faculty and fellow clinics.

Through strong relationships with colleagues in Plastic Surgery and Dermatology, and through the two-month rotation with Dr. Tarbet, we also provide robust training in the use of fillers, neurotoxins, and aesthetic surgery to give fellows the skills they need to provide expert care for these patients. 

With her training in research methodology, Dr. Bradley serves as research mentor, and fellows also collaborate with all faculty members, depending on the fellow's interests. Dr. Bradley also oversees the didactic aspects of your training, with all service members sharing in the educational efforts. Dr. Bradley completes fellow evaluations on a semi-annual basis, with input from the other preceptors.