Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

        • To provide comprehensive training in oculofacial plastic & reconstructive surgery and orbital surgery. 

        • To develop the fellow’s skills in clinical and laboratory research in preparation for a leadership role within the ASOPRS community.  

        • To assist the fellow in becoming an effective teacher, surgeon, and clinician  

The fellowship is structured to provide an intensive, well-supervised training experience over two years.  It will prepare the fellow for practice in either an academic or private setting through the following training experiences:  

1) primary preceptor training; 2) caring for Oculoplastics patients as the primary caregiver in his/her own clinic; and 3) supervising and attending the residents in oculoplastics clinic and surgery. A comprehensive surgical experience encompasses the full spectrum of lacrimal, eyelid and orbital reconstructive surgeries due to disease or injury, as well as aesthetic and rejuvenative procedures. There is frequent collaboration with other subspecialties, including dermatology, head and neck surgery, endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery, pathology, general plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, oral/maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery and neuroradiology in a busy tertiary care setting with a level one trauma center. 

Several specialty clinics add to the experience.  The fellow may participate in the Stanford Health Care Thyroid Eye Disease Center clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic staffed by ophthalmic plastics, endocrinology and radiation oncology specialists, a monthly skull base multidisciplinary conference and a weekly multidisciplinary head and neck tumor board.   

During the second year, the fellow will have protected time to conduct research, study independently, or seek elective experiences in facial plastic surgery, plastic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, Mohs surgery, oral maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery, endoscopic and skull base surgery.  

Clinics are located at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California. Surgery is performed at the Byers Eye Institute Outpatient Surgery Center, Byers Eye Institute Procedure Room, Stanford Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Center, Stanford Hospital Main Operating Room and Stanford Children’s Hospital. 

The fellow holds an appointment at the Stanford University School of Medicine as Clinical Instructor and is an integral part of teaching in the Department of Ophthalmology. The fellow actively participates in quarterly research meetings, case conferences, journal clubs and other local and regional oculoplastics related conferences.  The fellow provides instructional lectures to the residents, and spearheads various educational initiatives from suture workshops to cadaver dissection. 

Research is expected of all fellows and strongly supported by the preceptors and program.  This research will form the basis for the thesis required for membership in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS).  In addition, the fellow is encouraged to participate in several other research projects within the division and to present these findings at Annual AAO and ASOPRS meetings. The fellow will additionally participate in the Annual Stanford Ophthalmology Resident & Fellow Research Day.

 The fellow receives a PGY scale salary adjusted for the cost of living in the Bay Area.  Malpractice insurance and health benefits for the fellow and dependents are provided. Limited funds are available for travel to national scientific meetings in each year of training if the fellow is a first author. Additional funding is available for research. The fellow receives three weeks of vacation in each year of training. 

 Upon successful completion of training, the fellow will be awarded a fellowship certificate by Stanford University School of Medicine and is eligible to apply for membership in ASOPRS.

Basic Application Requirements:

• Completion of training in an ophthalmology residency program sanctioned by the ACGME prior to the initiation of fellowship. Exceptional foreign medical graduates are welcomed to apply if eligible for full California licensure.
• Eligibility for a California Medical License with prompt initiation of the application process upon acceptance of a fellowship position (can take up to 12 months for processing). 
• Eligibility for academic and professional credentials at the Stanford Hospital Center and Children’s Hospital Center.  

Applications:

All applications to ASOPRS fellowship programs will be made through an online Centralized Application Service (CAS) via the San Francisco Match (SF Match) website (www.sfmatch.org).  The following supportive documentation is required: 

        • Current Curriculum Vitae

        • Medical School Transcript

        • At least three independent letters of recommendation including one from your Program Director or Department Chair

        • USMLE Scores

        • Personal Statement

        • Documentation of Immigration Status or US Citizenship

In addition to the above standard SF Match application, our program also requires a recent passport sized photo or similar photo, mailed directly to the address listed below. 

Our application deadline is December 31.

Application material should be emailed to:

Clarissa Saluta: Stanford Ophthalmology Fellowship Program Coordinator

2452 Watson Court Palo Alto, CA 94303
Telephone: (650) 498-4242
Fax: (650) 565-8297
Email: csaluta@stanford.edu

Applicants invited to interview will be contacted individually by the Oculoplastic Fellowship program coordinator, Jenny Clark. For questions regarding oculoplastic fellowship interviews please contact:

Jenny Clark
Telephone: (650) 725-5572
Fax: (650) 565-8297
Email: jclark8@stanford.edu

Katie Topping, MD is a Clinical Instructor and ASOPRS Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine. Katie Topping, M.D., is a Visiting Instructor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University and is completing her fellowship in orbital and oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. She grew up in Mandan, North Dakota. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with minors in Biology and Chemistry from Minnesota State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. After college, she was awarded a Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award allowing her to spend 15 months in biomedical research alongside leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health. She then attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine where she obtained her medical degree. She graduated with honors and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Topping completed a general surgery internship and ophthalmology residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. She enjoys all facets of oculoplastic surgery and thoroughly enjoys resident education by teaching in clinics, the operating room, and in various courses and lectures on oculoplastics topics and suturing. She has organized and secured grant support for two orbital dissection courses during her fellowship. Dr. Topping looks forward to continuing her contributions to resident education upon graduation from fellowship.

Dr. Topping has received awards for excellence in research including the A.K. Saiki Memorial Endowment Scholarship in medical school and the Graduating Senior Research Award for her research in refractive surgery during residency. She is actively performing research in thyroid eye disease, corneal neurotization, and compressive optic neuropathy. She has presented at national meetings including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Women in Ophthalmology, and Military Refractive Safety and Standards Symposium.