Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center Program

The Ophthalmology Residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a distinguished four-year, ACGME-accredited integrated program designed to equip residents with the high-level skills needed in the field of ophthalmology. Each year, the program admits three residents, providing ample opportunity for personal interaction with faculty members and hands-on learning experiences.

Program Details

At the core of the residency program's mission is an emphasis on collaborative education that focuses on both medical and surgical treatments for complex ophthalmic diseases. The program fosters an environment where residents can develop the necessary tools and skills to become future leaders in ophthalmology, as encapsulated in the department's guiding philosophy of collaboration and mentorship.1

Curriculum

The curriculum involves a comprehensive mix of both clinical and surgical education. Initial training is split between general and subspecialty ophthalmology, with rotations in cornea and external diseases, glaucoma, pediatric and neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, and retina. Residents gain firsthand surgical experience by accompanying faculty to the operating room one to two days a week.1

The residency incorporates a pioneering integrated PGY-1 year, where residents spend three months focused on ophthalmology, alongside general medicine experience at both the Hershey Medical Center and the Lebanon VA Medical Center. This coordinated effort is designed to ensure residents have a strong foundational knowledge, while also acquiring essential hands-on skills early in their training.1

Training Sites

The program consists of training at two principal locations: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, which hosts two-thirds of the residency program, and the Lebanon VA Medical Center, which hosts the remaining third. Training at these state-of-the-art facilities allows residents to experience a wide range of patient demographics and medical conditions that enhance their clinical acumen.1

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral component of the residency. All residents are encouraged to engage in meaningful research projects throughout their training, with past projects presented at major national meetings like ARVO. Faculty members across various subspecialties provide mentorship and guidance to facilitate the completion of impactful research.1

Resident Life

The daily schedule of an ophthalmology resident at this program typically starts early, with lectures and patient rounds contributing to an environment of continuous learning. The balance of supervision and autonomy is emphasized, with reasonable call responsibilities to maintain residents' well-being while ensuring adequate clinical exposure.1

The program includes significant community outreach initiatives, allowing residents to engage in eye care service missions both locally and internationally, thereby reinforcing the department’s commitment to service beyond clinic walls.1

Application and Admission

For prospective residents, applications are submitted through the San Francisco Match program. Although the program receives significantly more applications than available positions, it is open to both MD and DO graduates as well as international medical graduates, although they only sponsor J-1 visas.1

Applicants must possess a completed PGY-1 year prior to beginning the residency. While U.S. medical licensing examination (USMLE) scores are considered, the program does not impose a minimum score requirement, focusing instead on a holistic evaluation of each applicant's qualifications.1

Competitiveness

The residency program is recognized for its highly competitive nature, receiving over 100 applications for each position available. It values the contributions of both U.S. and international medical graduates, maintaining a commitment to diversity and inclusion within its ranks.1

Wellness and Support

Penn State prioritizes the emotional and physical wellness of its residents, offering robust institutional resources and a supportive learning environment. Initiatives such as the 'Partners in Medicine' program assist residents’ families in navigating their move to Hershey, ensuring a supportive transition.1

Diversity and Inclusion

The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, seeking applicants from varied backgrounds and perspectives to enrich the learning environment. It hosts various events focusing on equity and inclusion, fostering a culture that values respect and opportunity for all.1