Message From Our Program Director

Welcome to the Department of Ophthalmology Residency Program of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and The Eye & Ear Institute.

The history and tradition of this program dates back to the founding of the Eye and Ear Hospital in 1895. The first resident was formally accepted in 1924 and since that time, over 350 men and women graduated from this program with our first female resident acceptance in 1957.

Graduates of our program can be found in academic, military, and private practices all over the United States and in several foreign countries.

Cultural diversity describes the background of this program with recent residents originally from Italy, Belgium, Korea, India, Thailand, China, Honduras, Bahamas, Turkey, Canada, and all regions of the United States.

Each year, several hundred applications are made for the six first-year positions. Forty to fifty applicants will interview here giving them a chance to evaluate our program, faculty, and city while we complete our process of resident selection.

Our goal in resident selection is to find a group of highly motivated, pleasant, team players excited about becoming ophthalmologists.

Pittsburgh is a great place to be a resident. It has a small town feel with its many ethnic neighborhoods, but big city professional sports and cultural activities, friendly people and a cost of living which allows the residents an affordable place to train and live.

The training program revolves around the University, VA Hospital, Eye and Ear Institute, Mercy Hospital, Children's Hospital, and a third-year surgical rotation with the University of New Mexico.

The resident-faculty relationship is characterized by a closeness and friendship which results in a strong bond after graduation. The faculty regards the residents as young colleagues more than just trainees. We want to instill in our residents a sense of pride in their abilities, training, and the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Ophthalmology.

Contact Information

Evan L. Waxman, MD, PhD
Director of Residency Training
waxmane@upmc.edu