A Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist examining a patient.

Graduate medical education in ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic

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Overview

Mayo Clinic's Ophthalmology Residency training program in Rochester, Minnesota, aims to educate and inspire our resident colleagues within a stimulating environment to learn the science and art of ophthalmology. 

Beginning July 1, 2021, our integrated PGY 1-4 program provides an excellent foundation in clinical, surgical, and academic ophthalmology. Residency graduates are well-prepared to excel in comprehensive clinical practice or to pursue further subspecialty training, and are positioned to contribute to the field of ophthalmology throughout their career. 

Resident physicians manage a steady flow of patients with progressive clinical autonomy under the guidance of an accessible faculty of leaders in all specialties of ophthalmology. Training within the Mayo Clinic Model of Care, residents will develop meaningful patient relationships while serving as the primary ophthalmologist for patients with a wide spectrum of medical and surgical ophthalmic conditions over the length of the program. 

The clinical and academic environment encourages intellectual curiosity with an abundance of cutting-edge research opportunities, institutional resources, teaching opportunities, and support for regional and national conference participation.

Program highlights include:

  • Access to the clinical, educational, and research resources of Mayo Clinic
  • Outstanding hands-on surgical volume and breadth
  • State-of-the-art surgical simulation and wet laboratory resources
  • Longitudinal three-year continuity of care experience.
  • International ophthalmology opportunities
  • Diverse curriculum of conferences and didactic lectures
  • Opportunity for education and teaching
  • Unique research opportunities including the Rochester Epidemiology Project
  • Strong support for national conference attendance and participation
Video: Ophthalmology Residency Overview

14:35

Video: Ophthalmology Residency Overview

Video: Surgical Residency Experience

2:05

Video: Surgical Residency Experience

Ophthalmology faculty and residents with a skull model.

Your training experience

As a resident at Mayo Clinic, you'll have access to robust clinical, educational, and research resources. You'll find support both inside and outside of the campus to promote physical and mental wellness and ensure your work/life balance.

More about the curriculum

Andrea Tooley, M.D.

Director's welcome

Whether you aim to practice comprehensive or subspecialty ophthalmology, or to embark on a career in academic medicine or private practice, our dedicated faculty of physician educators will mentor and inspire you to maximize your potential and achieve your goals.

More from the program director

Program mission

  • To educate and inspire our resident colleagues in the science and art of ophthalmology
  • To prepare ophthalmologists-in-training to excel as clinicians and surgeons
  • To train future leaders in education, research, and service

 

Program aims

  • Support resident education through a breadth of clinical and procedural experience, continuity of care, and a complementary and diverse didactics program
  • Impart high-quality patient care consistent with Mayo Clinic’s primary value
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, outcomes assessment, collaboration, mutual respect, and career-long learning
  • Provide research opportunities and training to build a foundation for future academic success
  • Deliver the educational environment, resources, and mentorship for resident career development

Accreditation and certification

The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Residency graduates are eligible to apply for board certification through the American Board of Ophthalmology examination process.

Program history

The Ophthalmology Residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, began in 1914.

More from Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education

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Choosing Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota.
Campus and community

Rochester, MN

Group of consultant, nurse, and residents discussing case in hallway at Mayo Clinic.

Stipend and benefits