Meet Our Fellows
The Retinal and Vitreous Surgery 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:
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Marc Ohlhausen, M.D.Class year: 2027 It has been a privilege to be part of the vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Mayo Clinic! The surgical training is very strong and well-rounded, with an abundance of complex and straightforward cases that will prepare you for any practice setting in the future. We have great subspecialty exposure to uveitis, pediatric retina, oncology, and inherited retinal diseases as well. This is a group of passionate faculty who prioritize fellow education and are great to work with one-on-one, while also being at the forefront of innovation in the field. Mayo’s standard of excellence in both the clinic and operating room has set me up to succeed as I start my career and I couldn’t be more thankful for my experience here. |
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Joseph Giacalone, M.D.Class year: 2026 My fellowship at Mayo Clinic provided an exceptional foundation for my career as a vitreoretinal surgeon. The breadth of clinical pathology and surgical experience challenged me to develop both technical skills and thoughtful clinical judgment. What made the experience particularly meaningful was the close mentorship from faculty who were invested in my growth and gave me increasing independence while always remaining available for guidance. As a physician-scientist, I especially valued the opportunity to pursue bench research alongside my clinical and surgical training, and I was honored to receive a Heed Fellowship during my time at Mayo. Now in practice, I carry those lessons into the clinic and operating room every day. I am grateful for the training, friendships, and lasting mentorship I found at Mayo. |
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Jorge Andrade Romo, M.D.Class year: 2025 The Retinal and Vitreous Surgery Fellowship at Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive, expansive, and thoughtful training that reflects Mayo Clinic’s philosophy of clinical practice, education, and research. With dedicated faculty who prioritize fellows’ education along with building long-lasting professional and personal relationships, it’s an outstanding opportunity that I feel privileged to be part of. I can’t imagine a better place to train and start building my career as a vitreoretinal surgeon. |
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Murtaza Mandviwala, M.D.Class year: 2024 While training at Mayo Clinic, I was privileged to learn medical and surgical perfection. The invaluable knowledge and skills I gained have been pivotal in shaping myself as a doctor and human being. The bonds forged with the consultants and staff extend well beyond the clinical setting. Mayo Clinic's commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on my career! |
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Rachel Mogil, M.D.Class year: 2023 The Retinal and Vitreous Surgery Fellowship at Mayo Clinic is very special. The faculty are leaders in the field and at the forefront of ground-breaking research. Moreover, they are completely dedicated to teaching fellows while also providing comprehensive care for both local and international patients. The pathology is diverse and allows fellows to learn the bread and butter of medical retina as well as rare conditions through detailed exposure to uveitis, ocular oncology, inherited retinal disease, and pediatric retina. Fellows are strongly encouraged to engage in the academic environment by contributing to clinical research, presenting at conferences, and writing manuscripts. The surgical training is unmatched and graduated autonomy allows fellows to grow as independent critical thinkers while still benefiting from the support and mentorship of the faculty. There are also numerous opportunities to teach given the close relationship with the residency program. Training at Mayo will allow you to become an excellent surgeon and clinician, and by the end of your two years, the retina department will feel like family. I will be forever grateful for my time there! |
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Kevin Ferenchak, M.D.Class year: 2022 My two years at Mayo Clinic were invaluable. Beyond the extensive and diverse surgical experience that all applicants seek, the training served as a true comprehensive capstone on my years of training that prepared me for an academic career. I was given the freedom to create a new workshop for residents, the dynamic weekly conferences facilitated new research opportunities, and the mentorship gave insight into career development that I still reference years later. The faculty is highly esteemed: everyone is here for a very good reason, and it shows. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to train at Mayo Clinic and I hope I can continue to make the retina team proud. |
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Keirnan Willett, M.D.Class year: 2021 I cannot say enough about the unique opportunity it is to train at the Department of Ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic. The faculty are accomplished and innovative but also clearly committed to teaching all aspects of what it takes to be a successful vitreoretinal surgeon: in the clinic, in the OR, and in life. The surgical exposure includes the complete range of techniques and the complex pathology at Mayo Clinic allows you to frequently participate in the care you may only rarely see your entire career. The environment is challenging but supportive and structured to maximize the incredible resources of the institution. |
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Bailey Shen, M.D.Class year: 2020 The retina surgery fellowship at Mayo Clinic is world-class. The retina faculty are some of the best clinicians, researchers, and surgeons I have ever worked with. As a Mayo Clinic fellow, you will see bread-and-butter pathology (retinal detachments, macular holes, diabetic retinopathy), as well as complex uveitis and oncology cases. You will come out of fellowship excellent at primary scleral buckles. In addition, Mayo Clinic offers very nice wet labs for surgical practice, as well as ample opportunities to teach the residents. I am proud to say I did my training at Mayo Clinic. |
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Matthew Adams, M.D., M.B.A.Class year: 2019 The close relationships I've formed with faculty have been tremendously rewarding for me while training at Mayo Clinic. Their relationships to me evolved from instructor to mentor in such a meaningful way. I now see all of my consultants as physicians to look up to, friends to confide in, advisors to learn and seek guidance from, and colleagues to cooperate and collaborate with. The passion for education and patient care at Mayo Clinic is second to none and I wouldn't trade that for the world! |