The Department of Ophthalmology at California Pacific Medical Center residency program

For Applicants

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Why CPMC? | Benefits | The Staggered Start | Other Practical Information | Application Requirements

Why CPMC?

Former residents describe the following advantages of the Ophthalmology training program:

Each resident is valued as an individual with educational modifications tailored to his or her needs

The volunteer faculty are genuine educators and respect residents as colleagues

The diversity of rotations offers a broad view of various practice styles (private practice, managed care, public hospital-based)

The national reputation of the faculty enhances fellowship opportunities (see Alumni)

Research opportunities are plentiful across multiple subspecialties, and funding is readily available

Clinical training is outstanding, and surgical volume is excellent

Extensive opportunities exist for International electives, which can provide life-enhancing personal and professional experiences

Fellows in retina and oculoplastics absolutely enhance the resident experience, as there is essentially no competition with fellows for surgical cases.

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Benefits

The PGY-2 (1st year Ophthalmology) salary for 2008-9 is $53,313.15
Heath, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Travel expenses, up to $2000 per year, for annual professional meetings (AAO, ARVO) are covered for residents who are presenting research
New Lenses (20 and 90 Diopter, and goniolens)
The Basic and Clinical Science Course (textbooks)
$250/year stipend for books, meetings, journal subscription, or professional society membership
$300 to purchase a device with PDA capabilities (ie, an Iphone) during the first 6 months of residency
$900 licensure application reimbursement (PGY-2)

The Staggered Start

One unique aspect of this residency program is the fact that all 3 residents in a given class do not begin training simultaneously. Instead, one resident starts every 4 months, with one resident beginning on July 1, another on November 1, and another on March 1. This of course means that each resident completes residency at a different time, exactly 3 years after that individual starts. Therefore, each year, one of the three residents begins and ends training on cycle (starting and completing on July 1) and the other 2 residents begin and end "off-cycle" (either March 1 or November 1).

Advantages of the staggered start include:

More individualized, 1-on-1 attention and teaching from upper level residents and faculty

No competition with fellow residents for surgical cases

Great camaraderie with co-residents in a non-competitive, friendly atmosphere

For off-cycle residents, there are tremendous opportunities after a busy intern year to perform research (may be funded by the department), pursue outside interests, or travel prior to starting residency

To read more about the staggered start, click here.

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Other Practical Information

San Francisco is an exciting and wonderful place to live during residency. The following are some additional anticipated questions about moving here:

Will I need a car?
Yes, a car is necessary in order to drive to private offices around San Francisco, to Highland, and while on call.

Where should I live?
Most residents live relatively close to the hospital in neighborhoods near CPMC, including Pacific Heights, the Marina, Russian Hill, Nob Hill although it is possible to live further away, as previous residents, for example, have lived in Oakland.

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Application Requirements

Ophthalmology residency applicants must apply through the Ophthalmology Matching Program (OMP). You can contact them at http://www.sfmatch.org or by calling (415) 447-0350.

Following the Program Director's review of your application, you will be notified by mail whether or not you have been selected for an interview. Interviews are by invitation only. We make every effort to process applications as they arrive; however, due to the large number of applications received, processing may take up to three weeks. There are 3 interview days, which are typically conducted on Mondays in late November and early December.

For further information regarding our program please contact us at (800) 743-7707 or e-mail us.

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Residency Retreat at Sea Ranch, California