Ophthalmology Residency Program
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Delivering excellence in ophthalmic education
The residency program is at the heart of OHSU Casey Eye Institute's mission: to eliminate preventable blindness and improve quality of life through leadership in the art, science, and technology of 21st century eye care. We seek to train the very best of the next generation of ophthalmologists for this vision in a supportive and nurturing environment.
The Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health and Science University is the main site for the ophthalmology residency program. As the only ophthalmology residency program in the state of Oregon, we care for a diverse population of patients from all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The department is a top recipient of NIH funding with a nationally recognized faculty in all subspecialty areas of ophthalmology. The residents also spend a significant portion of their training at VA Portland Health Care System, where a superb faculty dedicated to teaching provide thoughtful guidance to residents as they take the lead in care of our veterans. As a part of their final year, the residents have an urban comprehensive ophthalmology experience at Devers Eye Institute (3 miles away), with outstanding support of the dedicated faculty.
Leveraging the academic and clinical resources of these institutions, we hope that we will not only train residents with the best and the latest knowledge and skills, but the passion and vision to lead and push our field forward.
Related article: Resident physicians thrive in program's collaborative culture
Program aims
- Train outstanding ophthalmologists who independently and competently care for medical and surgical eye patients with wide ranging pathology.
- Produce ethical, caring ophthalmologists who will contribute meaningfully to the region, the nation, and the world, through research, patient care, service, and leadership.
- Prepare residents to be lifetime learners, who are able to critically examine and incorporate new knowledge effectively into their practice
About residency
Program overview
We will offer five positions with integrated internship that starts in June 2021 through the San Francisco Match. Please apply through the SF Match website.
Due to the current pandemic, the timeline and format has been changed for the year. The deadline for application is October 1, 2020. We will send invitations for interviews following review of the MSPEs after October 21.
The interview dates for 2020 are:
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020
This year's ophthalmology residency match will be different than previous years. In particular, all interviews for ophthalmology residency will be virtual, including ours. Our virtual interview day will consist of presentations about the program by residency directors and residents, four interviews with two to three faculty members each, opportunities to interact with and ask our residents questions and videos of our hospital system and eye institute.
We do not rank candidates without interviewing, and we do not offer alternate dates. Last year, we offered interviews to 46 candidates out of 538 applications received. Due to the virtual format this year, we expect to offer 36 interviews this year.
We are looking to recruit a diverse group of residents who show outstanding promise as future ophthalmologists. We do not select candidates based on a single criteria, and we do review the applications in a holistic fashion.
For additional information about the application process, please contact: Susan Minnieweather at 503-494-9255.

Clinical rotations are offered at OHSU, Portland VA Medical Center, and Devers Eye Institute at Legacy Health. The integrated internship year provides a balanced introduction to general medicine and ophthalmology. There is an ongoing ophthalmology experience throughout the year, along with dedicated rotations and didactics.
The residents will transition into 100% ophthalmology experience in the PGY-2 year, building on the fundamentals through comprehensive ophthalmology, retina, uveitis, pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastics, neuro-ophthalmology, and pathology. In the PGY-3 year, residents continue developing as ophthalmic surgeons and consultant, with emphasis on hospital consultations, glaucoma, cornea, and pediatric ophthalmology. Throughout PGY-2 and PGY-3 year, residents have a half a day of continuity clinic every week at OHSU, where they have the opportunity to direct the care of a panel of patients longitudinally. The final year offers opportunities for independent clinical management and intensive surgical experience.
PGY-1 | Inpatient Medicine | Emergency Medicine | Neuroradiology/Ophthalmology | Dermatology/Ophthalmology | Anesthesia/Ophthalmology |
PGY-2 | Oculoplastics/Pathology | Retina/Uveitis | Cornea/Peds | Neuro-Ophthalmology | VA PGY-2 |
PGY-3 | Cornea | Glaucoma | Pediatrics | Consult | VA PGY-3 |
PGY-4 | VA Senior A | VA Senior B | Retina | OHSU Senior | Devers |

Before the residents operate in the patient eye, they are led through a curriculum of wet lab and the EyeSi surgical simulator. The faculty provides individualized instruction for residents and the program provides dedicated time for the residents to practice and improve. By the end of the second year, the residents perform 30-40 cataract surgeries as the primary surgeon. In the final year of the program, the residents perform routine and complex surgeries with an emphasis on quality, safety, and efficiency. Over the last few years, the residents have graduated with around 200 primary cataract surgeries on average.
Lectures and conferences are held every Friday from 7 a.m. to noon and on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 -6:30 p.m.. Informed by tradition, education science, and a vision for life-long continuous improvement, the lectures and conferences complement the clinical learning by providing forum for case-based discussions, interactive learning, and wellness. Some key features include:
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Grand Rounds take place weekly and consist of a mix of case presentations and lectures from local and renowned guest faculty from around the world. View upcoming grand rounds events.
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Basic and Clinical Science Course focuses on the core medical knowledge and goes through all subspecialty areas every year.
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Journal Clubs are held monthly and hosted by faculty on rotating basis. The residents discuss the classic landmark articles as well as important recent publications with the faculty in a non-threatening environment.
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Wellness Conference focuses on practical skills to improve resilience and wellness during residency.

Casey Eye Institute offers exceptional research opportunities with a large complement of clinical and research faculty engaged in projects who are eager to work with residents. Every resident is expected to engage in a research project and the department provides support with dedicated research time, a statistician, as well as support for presenting original works at national meetings. Learn more about Casey Eye Institute's research program.
In the spring of each year, the residents present their work at the Casey Eye Institute Research Day. You can find last year’s Research Day program here to see a sampling of scholarly work done by our residents. A list of peer-reviewed publications by our residents can be found here. You can also view a sampling of our faculty research activities and publications from the program.

Many of our residents come to Casey with an amazing record of service and they continue to make a difference while they are here. The residents play a central role with the Casey Community Outreach Program Mobile Clinic, which provides free, on-site vision screening throughout Oregon through partnership with community agencies. Led by the residents, the Respectacle chapter of Casey Eye Institute contributes to the campaign to eliminate preventable blindness by cleaning, measuring, and matching donated eyeglasses for distribution in resource-poor settings.
The residents also have an opportunity for a 2 week-long experience to serve in a regional or international setting. We do not envision these as a chance for the residents to supplement their surgical experience, but for adding value for our partners by providing our unique expertise. Examples of recent resident service rotations include performing needs assessment for a residency training program in Myanmar; assisting in cataract teaching course in South Africa; assisting in wet lab course in Angola; and extended vision screening program in rural Oregon.

Casey Eye Institute matches every resident with a faculty member through our mentorship program. The purpose of the program is to leverage our faculty’s experience and insight to support residents’ wellness, focus their career development and optimize their learning. Through regular meetings and informal conversations, the mentors advise the residents on their growth and act as their advocate. We believe that mentorship is a key element in helping residents achieve their potential at Casey. Faculty mentors and resident mentees have enjoyed meals, hikes, and paint nights with each other! During COVID, we have remained connected via virtual and socially-distanced means.

Portland, Oregon is famous for its natural beauty and vibrant city life, and is one of the top 10 "Best Places to Live in the U.S.," according to US News & World Report. Situated at the confluence of Willamette and Columbia Rivers, Portland offers easy access to the Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge. With a mild climate all year round, the city offers great parks, walkable neighborhoods and a sophisticated public transit system. Local music, food and drinks regularly draw national attention, yet the restaurants and entertainment remain accessible. Visit Travel Portland to learn more about our city.
In recent years, Portland's housing market has become more expensive, but remains more affordable than other cities on the West Coast with good options close to the hospital.
Explore more from OHSU about living in Portland.
Marcus Altman, M.D., Yale Medical School
Ian Danford, M.D., M.S., University of Pennsylvania
Michael Gale, M.D., Oregon Health and Science University
Sarah Glass, M.D., Vanderbilt University
Miles Greenwald, M.D., University of Iowa
Michal Gutowski, M.D., University of Washington
Adam Hanif, M.D., Emory University
Ashlin Joye, D.O., Touro University
Joel Kaluzny, M.D., Northwestern University
Kaitlin Kogachi, M.D., University of Southern California
Daniel Lee, M.D., Medical College of Wisconson
Claire Mueller, M.D., Emory University
Ross Passo, M.D., Oregon Health and Science University
Alexander Walters, M.D., University of South Carolina
Claudine Yee, M.D., Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School
Quick links
Casey Eye Diversity and Inclusion Programs and Initiatives
The Casey Eye Institute Ophthalmology Residency Program is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity at our program and institution.
- We perform holistic review of applications to our program and conduct structured interviews designed to reduce bias.
- All staff participate in unconscious bias and diversity training.
- The Casey Outreach Program performs free vision screenings and eye exams in underserved areas and populations throughout Oregon in a dedicated and well-equipped mobile vision van.
- Our residents are encouraged to participate in a service rotation in an international or rural Oregon site. The Casey Eye Institute also hosts international fellows through our International Ophthalmology Program.
- Our program leadership holds task force meetings with our residents to discuss social and racial injustices and to provide each other with anti-racist actionable items and educational resources.
- The Casey Advancement of Diversity in Ophthalmology committee (CADIO) is dedicated to improve diversity and equity within ophthalmology at OHSU by implementing systemic change in education, recruitment, and promotion of students, physician trainees, faculty, and staff.
- Our program is helping lead the development of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Anti-Racist Curriculum for ophthalmology residencies nationwide.
- Our faculty is providing core content and key journal articles for the American Board of Ophthalmology Continuing Certification Program, with the goal to educate ophthalmologists of healthcare inequalities and to drive anti-racist practices and policies.
OHSU LGBTQ advocacy and resources
Residency program leadership
Susan Minnieweather - Education Manager
Thomas Hwang, M.D. - Program Director
Daniel Tu, M.D., Ph.D. - Associate Program Director
John Clements, M.D. - Associate Program Director
Ambar Faridi, M.D. - Associate Program Director
Recent graduates and alumni
Class of 2020
Kellyn Bellsmith, MD, Pediatric Fellowship, Casey Eye Institute
Caitlin Kakigi, MD, Comprehensive Practice, Northern California
Nathan Lambert, MD, Comprehensive Practice, Utah
Nathan Law, MD, Comprehensive Practice, Utah
Joseph Simonett, MD, Surgical Retina Fellowship, University of Utah
Class of 2019
Matthew Duggan, M.D., Glaucoma Fellowship at Duke Eye Center
Timothy Boyce, M.D., Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at University of Iowa
Kishan Gupta, M.D., Ph.D., Cornea Fellowship at UCLA
Bradley Henriksen, M.D., Pediatric Fellowship at Casey Eye Institute
Travis Redd, M.D., M.P.H., Cornea Fellowship at UCSF / Proctor Institute
Class of 2018
Brock Alonzo, M.D., Glaucoma Fellowship at University of Utah
Brigid Marshall, M.D., Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at Washington University, St. Louis
Meryl Sundy, M.D., Comprehensive Practice, Bend, Oregon
Jonathan Young, M.D., Ph.D., Glaucoma Fellowship at UCLA
Class of 2017
Erin Boese, M.D., Glaucoma Fellowship at University of Michigan
Hillary Stiefel, M.D., Ocular Pathology Fellowship at Casey Eye Institute
Dongwouk Park, M.D., Medical Retina Fellowship at Cole Eye Institute
Bryce Radmall, M.D., Oculoplastics Fellowship at University of Iowa
Fran Wu, M.D., International Ophthalmology Fellowship at Emory; Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship at Cullen Eye Institute
Class of 2016
Daniel Lattin, M.D., Service Year in American Samoa; Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship at Duke
Nisha Naggarkatti-Gude, M.D., Glaucoma Fellowship at Devers / Casey Eye Institutes
Rasna Sandhu, M.D., Comprehensive Practice, Portland, Oregon
David Simons, M.D., Ph.D., Glaucoma Fellowship at Devers / Casey Eye Institute
Akshay Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., Vitreoretinal Fellowship at Duke; Uveitis Fellowship at Casey Eye Institute
Blake Acohido, M.D., Comprehensive Faculty, Devers Eye Institute
Erin Boese, M.D., Glaucoma Faculty, University of Iowa
Roger Dailey, M.D., FACS, Oculoplastics Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Ambar Faridi, M.D., Medical Retina Faculty, Casey Eye Institute-Portland VA
Laura Gadzala, M.D., Oculoplastic Faculty, Devers Eye Institute
Matthew Giegengack, M.D., Cornea Faculty, Wake Forest University
Seema Gupta, M.D., Comprehensive Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Griffin Jardine, M.D., Pediatric Ophthalmology Faculty; Associate Residency Program Director, University of Utah
Donna Kim, M.D., Comprehensive Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Kamden Kopani, M..D, Residency Program Director and Cornea Faculty at Tufts University
Laura Kopplin, M.D., Ph.D., Uveitis Faculty at University of Wisconsin
Andreas K. Lauer, M.D., Chair, Casey Eye Institute
John C. Morrison, M.D., Glaucoma Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Dong-Wouk Park, M.D., Comprehensive and Medical Retina Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Naveen Rao, M.D., Tufts Universiry - Lahey Hospital
Travis Redd, M.D., M.P.H., Cornea Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Joseph Robertson, M.D., M.B.A., Retina Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Jennifer Rose-Nussbaumer, M.D., Cornea Faculty, UCSF, Proctor Institute
Manjool Shah, M.D., Glaucoma Faculty, University of Michigan
Kuldev Singh, M.D., Glaucoma Faculty, Stanford Byers Eye Institute
Eric Steele, M.D., Oculoplastics Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Hillary Stiefel, M.D., Ocular Pathology and Comprehensive Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Eric Suhler, M.D., Uveitis Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Shandiz Tehrani, M.D., Glaucoma Faculty, Casey Eye Institute
Daniel Tu, M.D., Ph.D., Comprehensive Faculty, Casey Eye Institute – Portland VA
David J. Wilson, M.D., Director, Casey Eye Institute
Jonathan Young, M.D., Ph.D., Glaucoma Faculty, Devers Eye Institute