University of Mississippi Medical Center Program

The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers an Ophthalmology Residency Program that aims to provide a comprehensive training experience to prepare residents for their future careers. The program includes rotations at UMMC and the adjacent Sonny G. Montgomery VA Medical Center, covering various ophthalmic subspecialties such as comprehensive ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, vitreoretinal, oculoplastics, cornea, glaucoma, and pathology. There are 16 full-time and part-time faculty members who actively contribute to resident education, ensuring a favorable faculty-to-resident ratio.

Residents in this program benefit from early hands-on cataract surgical training starting from the PGY-1 year, progressing through structured wet-lab sessions and utilizing simulators. The program emphasizes early operative experience, with residents typically performing their first full cataract surgery by the latter half of the PGY-2 year. Additionally, an integrated preliminary intern year at UMMC offers exposure to various specialties beyond ophthalmology.

The program boasts a supportive network with access to high-volume and diverse pathology cases given UMMC's standing as a level-one trauma center and primary referral source in the region. Resident education is supplemented by affiliations with ophthalmologists statewide, allowing for a well-rounded experience including observing private practice operations.

Applicants chosen for the program participate in an early hands-on cataract surgical development program, attain surgical proficiency swiftly and safely, ensuring thorough preparedness for independent practice post-graduation. The program also accommodates an integrated intern year at UMMC, introducing trainees to a range of medical disciplines beyond ophthalmology.

The Department of Ophthalmology at UMMC aims to offer outstanding educational experiences in ophthalmology, provide top-tier patient care in various subspecialties, offer consultation services, support research endeavors, and maintain exemplary leadership in the field. The program is committed to preparing residents for successful careers in ophthalmology through a dynamic and supportive learning environment.