Message from the Chair & Residency Program Director

David A. DiLoreto, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.

Professor & Chair of Ophthalmology

Rachel Wozniak, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Chair of Education, Ophthalmology
Dr. Donald A. Grover '62, '66 (MD), '73 RES) and Karen Grover Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program

Thank you for your interest in the ophthalmology residency at the University of Rochester, a fully accredited, integrated, 4-year training program—with the your first-year internal medicine internship spent at the University of Rochester School of Medicine's Department of Internal Medicine. We have the pleasure of introducing ourselves to you as the Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the Dr. Donald A Grover ’62, ‘66M (MD), ’73 (Res) and Karen L Grover Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program.

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester continues to undergo many exciting changes that will dramatically enhance your residency training experience. The Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester combines broad clinical experience with an emphasis on research and technology. With more than 140,000 patient visits annually, 7,000 surgeries, 10 satellite locations, and 40 full-time faculty across all the subspecialties, we have outstanding scope and depth throughout our program.

The surgical experience of the residency program is outstanding. You will learn a wide variety of techniques from a world class team of instructors in our state-of-the -art surgical suites at Strong Memorial Hospital and Sawgrass ambulatory surgical center. Training in microsurgery commences during your PGY2 year. To support surgical learning, all residents receive 24/7 access to our brand new surgical skills laboratory, featuring the EyeSi surgical simulation system, wet lab stations with high definition surgical microscopes with digital integration for teaching and recording videos, and the latest phacoemulsification machines.   In the clinic setting, residents work side by side with faculty to provide in-depth exposure to all subspecialties. Residents also spend time in our Urgent Eye Care, providing same day ophthalmic care for our community.  In addition, opportunities to study international ophthalmology exist through a partnership with the world renowned L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderbad, India.

Residents can expect numerous interactions with the Flaum Eye Institute’s clinical and basic science faculty. In addition, residents may work with the basic science faculty of the University’s internationally renowned Center for Visual Science (CVS), the top-rated Institute of Optics and Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as industry and other programs at the University. For example, there are active collaborations related to new innovations in refractive surgery and retinal imaging at the cellular level. As a resident, you are encouraged to enrich your clinical training with participation in new as well as on-going clinical and basic research projects. You are also encouraged to present your research at national meetings such as ARVO and the American Academy of Ophthalmology; funds are provided to pay for travel expenses related to your presentation.

Our educational program emphasizes case management, complemented by numerous didactic sessions throughout the week.  Weekly subspecialty and patient case rounds are held along with regularly scheduled Grand Rounds, journal clubs, surgical video rounds and resident team meetings. A visiting professorship series as well as the Rochester Ophthalmology Conference brings nationally recognized leaders in ophthalmology to lecture each year. 

Our training program offers robust clinical, surgical, and research training to prepare you for the next steps in your professional journeys.  Our graduates consistently match to prestigious fellowships across the US and Canada, and go on to successful careers in community practice or academic medicine.  We invite you to learn more about our program and residents!

David A. DiLoreto, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology,
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Flaum Eye Institute

Rachel. Wozniak, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Chair of Education, Ophthalmology
Dr. Donald A. Grover ’62, ‘66M (MD), ’73M (RES) and Karen L. Grover Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Flaum Eye Institute