AUPO FCC

The official, inaugural meeting of the AUPO FCC as an LLC was held on May 1, 2005 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The goals and objectives of the AUPO FCC are to provide a system that will enhance patient care for ophthalmologic diseases by promoting uniform standards for fellowship training and educational programs in the following ophthalmic subspecialties: Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery; Glaucoma; Neuro-Ophthalmology; Oncology/Pathology; Pediatric Ophthalmology; Surgical Retina; and Uveitis. There are nineteen voting members; seven pairs from the representative subspecialties (Cornea, Glaucoma, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Oncology/Pathology, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Surgical Retina, and Uveitis), one from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Council and four (4) from the AUPO. There are three non-voting advisors. The total organization consists of 23 individuals (listed below).

The compliance process is entirely voluntary. Each subspecialty, through the action of its subspecialty organization(s), will define a set of criteria for its own subspecialty, constituting standards for fellowship training to include curriculum as well as research and clinical experience. In addition, the FCC will develop general guidelines applicable to all fellowships. The FCC will help to coordinate the establishment of fellowship requirements and monitor compliance of individual fellowship programs with these requirements. The FCC will make determinations of the compliance of initial applications of individual fellowship programs for inclusion in the compliance program. Programs admitted to the compliance program will be monitored on a triennial or quadrennial program review basis to assure that they remain in compliance.

In 2005, Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowships and Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Fellowships joined the AUPO FCC compliance process. Those fellowships in compliance with the AUPO FCC Subspecialty Fellowship requirements developed by each subspecialty and approved by the AUPO FCC are listed on the AUPO FCC Website and also listed on the AUPO Fellowship Match Website as in compliance.

A Centralized Application Service is available through the San Francisco match for all Ophthalmology Fellowship subspecialties except for Neuro-Ophthalmology and Pathology. Applicants applying for Neuro-Ophthalmology and Pathology subspecialties must register for the Match and contact programs directly to obtain application materials and procedures. Canadian programs are not required to utilize the CAS system. Canadian applicants should check directly with the specific program directors for application requirements before applying through the CAS system.

In summary, the AUPO FCC program offers educational standards, protection of the public, protection of institutions, protection of trainees, accountability and enforcement. The AUPO, the organization with responsibility for planning, promoting, and delivering graduate medical education in ophthalmology, will provide oversight to the AUPO FCC.

OFFICERS

John L. Keltner, MD, Chair, Secretary-Treasurer
Michael W. Belin, MD, Vice Chair
Hans E. Grossniklaus, MD, Chair Review Committee
Jennifer E. Thorne, MD , Vice Chair Review Committee

SUBSPECIALTY REPRESENTATIVES

Cornea, External Disease, Refractive Surgery
Elmer Y. Tu, MD
Sonia Yoo, MD

Glaucoma
Steven J. Gedde, MD
Dale K. Heuer, MD

Neuro Ophthalmology
Andrew G. Lee, MD
John L. Keltner, MD

Oncology/Pathology
Hans E. Grossniklaus, MD, MBA
David J. Wilson, MD

Pediatric Ophthalmology
Brian J. Forbes, MD
Daniel J. Karr, MD

Retina
Justin L. Gottlieb, MD
Tarek S. Hassan, MD
G. Baker Hubbard, MD

Uveitis
Nisha Acharya, MD
Jennifer E. Thorne, MD

ORGANIZATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology
Steven E. Feldon, MD
Andreas K. Lauer, MD
Bartly J. Mondino, MD
Nicholas J. Volpe MD

Advisors
Stuart L. Fine, MD - Retina - AUPO - Founding Co-Chair and Senior Advisor
Ronald E. Smith, MD - Cornea - AUPO
Steven E. Rubin MD - Consultant

STAFF

Michael Paulos
Lisa Brown

Goals And Objectives Of The AUPOFellowship Compliance Committee

Goal

To provide a system that will enhance patient care for ophthalmologic diseases by promoting uniform standards for fellowship training and educational programs in the following ophthalmic subspecialties: cornea, external disease & refractive surgery, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, pathology, pediatric ophthalmology, surgical retina and uveitis.

Objectives

The Fellowship Compliance Committee will establish a format and standards for the subspecialties in establishing guidelines.
Each subspecialty through the action of its subspecialty organization(s) will define a set of criteria for its own subspecialty, constituting standards for fellowship training to include curriculum as well as research and clinical experience.
The Fellowship Compliance Committee will help to coordinate the establishment of fellowship guidelines and monitor compliance of individual fellowship programs with these guidelines.
The Fellowship Compliance Committee will make determinations of the compliance of initial applications of individual fellowship programs for inclusion in the Compliance Program.
Programs admitted to the Compliance Program will be monitored on a triennial or quadrennial program review basis to assure that they remain in compliance.
Application and compliance monitoring will be accomplished through a web-based system.
Compliance status will be made publicly available so that fellowship applicants may use this information in their decision, likewise mentors will have compliance status available when advising residents on fellowship opportunities.