The Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellowship draws trainees from across the U.S. and around the world. While all our fellows have a love of learning and a compassionate approach to patient care, they come from diverse backgrounds, family statuses, and professional and personal interests. 

Learn more about our current and past fellows and see what a few of them have to say about the program:

Beth Farazdaghi, M.D. 

Class year: 2024 (current fellow)

During my year in the Mayo Clinic Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Fellowship, the experience was characterized by a remarkable degree of autonomy and flexibility. The program offered an environment where I was entrusted with a substantial level of responsibility, allowing for hands-on learning and skill development. I was provided a platform for independent decision-making, which fostered a sense of confidence and competence in managing diverse cases within the field. The flexibility of the fellowship allowed me to tailor my training to my individual interests and goals. This combination of autonomy and flexibility contributed to a well-rounded and personalized fellowship journey at one of nation’s premier academic medical institutions. The environment in clinic and the operating room is fun and collegial, and I genuinely looked forward to coming to work every day.

Maude Anderson, M.D. 

Class year: 2023

My pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellowship at Mayo Clinic was a wonderfully busy year that allowed me to start my practice as an extremely competent and creative surgeon, an efficient and knowledgeable clinician, and a confident teacher.

Being able to attend surgery at least three days a week, with fantastic, high-volume exposure to pediatric cataracts and complex strabismus techniques was my personal highlight of fellowship. Working with four pediatric ophthalmologists led me to build trustworthy connections with each of them and to reach a level of creativity and technical skill that brought me to appreciate how strabismus surgery not only is a science but also an art form!

I also had the opportunity to work with three orthoptists and many other ophthalmology subspecialists, allowing me to gain a thorough understanding of common conditions and to be exposed to a wide variety of ophthalmic pathologies. Being able to run my own clinic allowed me to gain independence and prepared me well to be an autonomous attending physician.

Knowing that I would return to an academic setting after training meant that teaching opportunities with residents and medical students were a priority for me when selecting a fellowship. Both the operating room and the clinical learning environments at the Mayo Clinic allowed me to fully meet that goal and to share my passion for strabismus and pediatric eye care with trainees.

In summary, I would wholeheartedly recommend the pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellowship at the Mayo Clinic to any ophthalmologist seeking to become the best they can be in this wonderful field. Mayo Clinic will forever be a part of me and the mentorship that I received there created everlasting bonds that represent an integral part of who I am today, as a pediatric ophthalmologist and adult strabismus specialist.

Lauren Diroff, M.D. 

Class year: 2022

My learning experience at Mayo’s Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellowship was truly exceptional. Throughout my fellowship year, I was exposed to a wide breadth of pathology with strengths in adult and pediatric strabismus, pediatric anterior segment/cataract, and neuro-ophthalmology, while learning varying ways to approach these diagnoses. There was always an emphasis on providing the fellow a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience while Mayo’s culture of interdisciplinary collaboration also encouraged me to think about the whole patient. Most importantly, the team of mentors at Mayo prepared me for a career of continued learning, with my fellowship training serving as an excellent springboard.

Jennifer Wang, M.D. 

Class year: 2020

The Mayo Clinic Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus fellowship is unique in its quality and breadth. In one year, I had tremendous exposure to complex strabismus, pediatric anterior segment/cataract, retinopathy of prematurity, and pediatric neuro-ophthalmology. It is a truly fellow-driven training program, and can be tailored to the fellow's individual interests. The Mayo Clinic model of a team-based approach to patient care fosters a unique environment for learning and collaboration.