Subspecialty Education

The ICO Task Force on Subspecialty Education works to enhance the training of subspecialists, and to enhance organizations that support the differing needs of developing regions. This Task Force is led by Chair, Randall J. Olson, MD.

Task Force Activities
Helmerich Fellowships
ICO/Alcon Training Center Fellowships

Task Force Activities:

• Establish and foster regional training centers in developing countries
• Partner with these regional centers to enhance training opportunities
• Offer hybrid fellowships of both six and 12 months
• Develop financial support for fellows to travel to developed country institutions
• Gather educational content in key areas of knowledge for subspecialists
• Develop regional subspecialty organizations
• Create subspecialty liaisons
• Collaborate with other key national and international players

Subspecialty Fellowship Opportunities:

Helmerich Fellowships for Ophthalmologists in Developing Countries

Sponsored by the Retina Research Foundation in cooperation with the ICOFoundation, this fellowship program began in 2009 to honor the public service leadership of Mr. W.H. Helmerich III.

• Advanced subspecialty training to ophthalmologists to help transmit new knowledge to the home country
• Award: salary for one year, air transportation support
• Host institution receives expense stipend
• Two 12-month fellowships awarded each year

Requirements:

• Ophthalmology residency training
• Fluency in language of training location
• Commitment to return to home country

How to Apply:

• Deadline is September 1 each year
• Full details, description and application instructions (PDF - 736 KB)
• Contact the ICO Helmerich International Fellowship Committee at helmerich@icoph.org. 

ICO/Alcon Training Center Fellowships

Subspecialty training at the ICO/Alcon Training Center
University Eye Hospital, Ljubljana, Slovenia

• Training at the post-specialist level in cataract, oculoplastic or vitreoretinal surgery
• One year in duration
• A travel and expense stipend of EUR 9,000 (granted to the institution sending the applicant, to be used in full by the applicant)
• Two fellowships are awarded each year

Requirements:

• Current position/career focus at teaching hospital in Eastern Europe
• Initial experience in desired surgical field
• Younger than 40 years of age
• Ability to teach and transmit information upon return to home country

How to Apply:

The current position institution director should send a recommendation letter to include:

• Description of candidate experience
• Domain of surgery requested (cataract, oculoplastic or vitreoretinal)
• Benefits the institution would receive from candidate’s new knowledge
• Candidate CV
• Send recommendation letter and CV to: Professor Marko Hawlina, marko.hawlina@mf.uni-lj.si.