Reflections

Ophthalmology Residency

As you consider the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville for your ophthalmology residency training, please read what our residents have to say as they look upon their experience with us:

Class of 2015

Chad Hummel, M.D.

Chad Hummel, M.D.

Jefferson Medical College

"The ophthalmology program here at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville offers a great educational experience. We have great surgical volume, faculty that are available and willing to teach, a tight knit group of residents, and access to state of the art testing equipment that we operate ourselves on a daily basis. Although we are a small program, there is also ample opportunity to do research. I also really enjoy the city of Jacksonville. It offers great weather, nearby beaches, and a great place to visit for friends and family. Altogether, I feel these qualities make this an excellent program for preparing me for a career in academia or private practice."

Chad Kaplan, M.D.

Chad Kaplan, M.D.

University of Florida College of Medicine

"The UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville ophthalmology residency program is a smaller program with 2 residents per year. This allows effortless attending time and minimal peer competition. Training here has a significant amount of autonomy within comfortable supervision which has awarded me the ability to calmly care for even the most challenging patients. The combination of high didactic lecture, resident presentation, and surgical volumes give me high expectations for both academic and private career options."

Class of 2014

Chad Hummel, M.D.

Wassia Khaja, M.D.

Baylor College of Medicine

"I was drawn to the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville due its resources and patient volume. The population of Jacksonville is unique and offers a large number of patients and a wide range of pathology. This program also has very high surgical volume, which guarantees competency and confidence in the OR. However, the best part about this program is/are the residents. They are enthusiastic, supportive, and help each other achieve their full potential. I will be well- prepared after completing training here."

Chad Hummel, M.D.

Ravi Keshavamurthy, M.D.

Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore University

"This is a structured program in which the curriculum is integrated into day to day clinical learning. In addition, there is emphasis on learning research methods and their practical applications into translational research. Faculty members provide good mentorship to every resident and help achieve their career objectives. Jacksonville itself is fast becoming a vibrant cosmopolitan city and my son loves it here as it is only 2 hours drive from Disney World."

Class of 2013

Chad Hummel, M.D.

Michelle Diaz, M.D.

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

"What makes the program unique is the small size, which means residents get direct interaction with the faculty. All faculty members make the residents a priority and you know they have your best interest in mind. Because of the small size of the residency there is not only one- on- one interaction with faculty, but also a very close bond between the residents and fellows. In addition, the clinics are very busy and surgical volumes are high, which means great experience and competence when you complete your training. Overall, I feel I will leave our program as a competent ophthalmologist and surgeon."

Don Davis, M.D.

Don Davis, M.D.

University of Utah School of Medicine

"Training at the department of ophthalmology here at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville, I have found the environment to be of utmost importance. Although warm winters and beachfront access are very nice, educational resources are invaluable. Some of our educational resources that I have found to be important to my education include: weekly exposure to cutting edge research, and direction on how to apply that to our practice, weekly exposure to business management, a broad spectrum of didactic instruction, a diverse population base that offers an array of pathologies, the opportunity to tailor rotations to a resident’s goals and interests, and an atmosphere that offers graded responsibility and clinical freedom, and a faculty committed to teaching and fellowship placement. Florida also offers Southern hospitality, Gator football, and a staff that treats you like family. Please feel free to visit our program during interview season or otherwise."

Class of 2012

Carolee Cutler Peck, M.D., M.P.H.

Carolee Cutler Peck, M.D., M.P.H.

University of Utah School of Medicine

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far as a resident in the ophthalmology program at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. A great deal of effort is put forth to ensure that I receive a thorough education in all elements of ophthalmology. Faculty members are always readily available and are highly involved with my education. There is an excellent didactic program in place which includes daily protected time for lectures and other conferences which expose the residents not only to the knowledge base we need to be excellent ophthalmologists, but also provide education on essential elements of running a successful and high quality practice. The patient population we see provides exposure to a wide range of pathology. I am confident that I will complete this program as a competent clinician and surgeon."

Jayson Edwards, M.D.

Jayson Edwards, M.D.

University of Maryland School of Medicine

"Though it is hard to beat the sun and beach, the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville has more than just great weather. For me, the state-of-the-art equipment and pleasant work environment definitely help create an atmosphere for learning. Even more important, the program has attendings that really love to teach. The drive to excel and encouragement to exceed expectation is always present and makes a great place to train."

Class of 2011

Amy Kelmenson, M.D.

Amy Kelmenson, M.D.

University of Colorado School of Medicine

"The University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville provided me with a solid comprehensive education in ophthalmology. The surgical volume and autonomy in the OR prepared me very well both for my fellowship as well as starting practice in the real world. After completing my residency, I matched into an exceptional cornea fellowship. I am now in private practice doing both cornea as well as comprehensive ophthalmology, seeing a whole spectrum of patients in my practice. I feel very well trained and am extremely confident taking care of patients with conditions covering all areas of ophthalmology."

Daniel Hwang, M.D.

Daniel Hwang, M.D.

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

"This program provides great balance of supervision and independence as well as large surgical volume. Every faculty member is dedicated to resident education."