Pediatric Optometry Fellowship Program

Our one year pediatric optometry fellowship provides a multi-specialty, high volume, progressive learning environment involving pediatric eye care. Fellows will become proficient in all aspects of pediatric optometry including primary care, contact lenses, disorders of binocular vision and diagnosis and medical treatment of common visual system diseases in infants and children.

Due to the nature of the setting of this fellowship, training includes working with pediatric optometrists, pediatric ophthalmologists, vision center students, residents, fellows and vision science staff. The Akron Children’s Fellowship program will accept one fellow per academic year in collaboration with The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

Akron Children’s is a pediatric tertiary health care provider servicing a large portion of Northeast Ohio including the Akron and surrounding area as well as Mahoning Valley to the east. The hospital serves many children not only with eye and visual system diseases, but also numerous multi-system anomalies that require ocular attention as part of the comprehensive care provided to these patients. Fellows will have the opportunity to interact with professionals and patients from urban, suburban, and rural settings in a high-volume, fast-paced setting during their time at the hospital.

The fellow will refine, enhance and have new skills introduced to them related to the provision of eye and vision care in the pediatric population. Daily clinical experience will help to strengthen the fellow's expertise in the diagnosis and management of vision problems in pediatric patients as well as expand the fellow's knowledge of binocular and neuro-developmental vision problems. As an active contact lens practice the fellow will have the opportunity to participate in contact lens fittings and follow up care for a variety of different contact lens care needs.

Educational activities occur regularly and include, but are not limited to, pediatric optometry and ophthalmology lectures, grand rounds and journal clubs. The fellow will prepare a case report of publishable quality during their time at Akron Children’s. In addition, the fellow will prepare and present one poster at the annual EastWest Eye Conference.

Our vision center has an active clinical and basic science service. The fellow will be encouraged to assist or to participate in any on-going laboratory and/or clinical investigation(s) initiated by Akron Children’s faculty members. The fellow will also be encouraged to generate their own studies/seminal work, but it will not be required for successful completion of their residency program.

Program Goals

To train fellows to provide high quality pediatric eye care including; primary eye care, strabismus and binocular vision disorders, diagnosis, management and referral of ocular pathology, and specialized contact lens fitting and dispensing in the pediatric population.
To provide an opportunity for the fellow to gain experience working alongside pediatric ophthalmologists as well as other medical professionals and paraprofessionals in a busy, high-volume tertiary care institution.
To instill upon the fellow the importance of evidence based medical care and scholarly activity.
To prepare those fellows interested in an academic career for competitive positions by enhancing special education skills such as preparing publishable quality papers, presenting clinical topics to other professions, teaching and program development in pediatric optometry.
To prepare those fellows interested in community optometry for competitive positions either in general practice with emphasis on pediatric eye care or a focused pediatric practice.

Casandra Solis, OD
Pediatric Optometry Residency Director
Akron Children's
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
330-543-5290
csolis@akronchildrens.org

Yearly Stipend

$59,727

Vacation

The fellow will be provided with 3 weeks of vacation or 15 customary working days.

Conference Time

Fellows are entitled to 5 days of conference time each year for medical conventions and courses outside the hospital.

Educational Allowance

Fellows are provided $1,200 annually for use toward medical-related journals or books, conferences, and license renewals.

Research and Scholarship Travel

We encourage and support investigator-initiated research by subspecialty fellows. Therefore, we support research-related travel when the fellow is in good academic and professional standing, and when prior written approval of the program director is documented. All hospital policies relating to travel must be followed.

Professional Liability

Professional liability insurance is provided by the hospital.

Health Benefits

Fellows and their dependents are eligible to enroll in the hospital’s health, dental, and vision insurance programs. Costs are shared between the fellow and the hospital. Benefits are available immediately.

Retirement Benefits

Fellows may participate in the Hospital’s 403(b) Plan from their date of hire. Match dollars are not available to fellows.

Optometry License

Fellows are required to obtain an Ohio State Optometry License prior to beginning the program.

Parking

A key access card for convenient parking is provided at no charge.

Lab Coats

One embroidered lab coat is provided if desired.

Smoke, Electronic Cigarette and Tobacco-Free Campus

Akron Children’s is a tobacco-free healthcare system. Prospective employees who test positive for nicotine will have their offer of employment rescinded and will not be permitted to start work.

Apply for Pediatric Optometry Fellowship Program