Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
John A. Moran Eye Center–University of Utah School of Medicine

Department Chairman: Randall J Olson, M.D., Professor
Department Education Director: Mark D. Mifflin, M.D., Assistant Professor
International Director: Geoffrey Tabin, MD
Tina Szarek

To be considered for this program, the following is required:

1. You must contact one of our faculty members in the sub-specialty you are interested in to first obtain a sponsorship.
2. Verbal fluency in the English language is mandatory. Interpreters are not a substitute for fluency in English. Written proof of verbal fluency in English is required (see below).
3. Written evidence of financial support is required (see below)
4. J–1 visa holders and their dependents are required to have medical insurance. The Department of Ophthalmology may be able to assist you in purchasing this insurance through the University of Utah’s benefits program. This issue will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
5. If an applicant is accepted into this program but has not previously met with or been interviewed by an Ophthalmology faculty member, this individual will be in a one-month probationary period to determine suitability and functional capability in the ophthalmology environment.

The following is required. Please submit to us as soon as possible:

1. Identify the ophthalmology subspecialty you wish to rotate.
2. Provide the dates you wish to rotate.
3. A letter from you identifying your goals (what you want to accomplish while at the University of Utah), expectations and suggested course of study.
4. A current curriculum vitae with publications.
5. Copies of academic degrees translated in English.
6. Three letters of support from professors/physicians you have worked with and who know you well.
7. Proof of fluency in English. Some samples of proof could be:
1. A letter from an ophthalmology faculty member in the United States who has personal knowledge of you and your level of English.
2. English test scores such as the TOEFL or the Michigan Test.
3. A letter from an English teacher who has personal knowledge of your fluency in English.
8. Verification of your financial support:
1. Agency Support: A letter from the agency that will be financing you stating the amount of their support in U.S. dollars and the period of time of support.
2. Part Agency: Part Self Support - A letter from the agency that will be financing you stating the amount of their support in U.S. dollars and the period of time of support AND a bank statement verifying the amount of money available.
3. Self Support: A bank statement verifying the amount of money available.

After all the required information has been returned to us, it will be reviewed at our faculty meeting and a decision will be made as to whether or not you will be accepted into this fellowship program. Either way, you will be contacted. If you are accepted into our program, more information will be requested from you. You will be responsible for completing, signing, and returning all requested information/forms to us as soon as possible so we can complete all required paperwork.

We provide a very busy clinical exposure to all aspects in the ophthalmology subspecialty requested. You will have a full rotation schedule both in the clinic setting and surgery, and always under the direct supervision of one or several of our faculty ophthalmologists in the requested subspecialty. You will also be invited to attend grand rounds, lectures, conferences, other ophthalmology events, have access to the ophthalmology library resources and equipment, and possibly the opportunity in clinical research.

Again, thank you very much for your interest and we look forward to receiving the material requested above.

Please direct all communications to:

Tina Szarek
Assistant to Geoffrey Tabin, MD
Department of Ophthalmology–JMEC
University of Utah–HSC
65 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Telephone 801.213.3444
Cell 435.841.7208
tina.szarek@utah.edu

For overnight mail please use:
65 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132

The following internet address can provide additional information: University of Utah Health Sciences Center General Information

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