Vitreoretinal Fellowship at the Retina Consultants of Minnesota
The Retina Consultants of Minnesota offers a two-year, AUPO-compliant vitreoretinal fellowship designed to provide comprehensive surgical and medical training in a collegial, high-caliber environment. Fellows leave prepared — clinically, surgically, and professionally — for successful careers in private practice or academic retina. Our program has an established track record of training skilled, thoughtful vitreoretinal surgeons who go on to make meaningful contributions to the field. Two fellowship positions are offered each year, and the program draws highly competitive applicants from across the country. Graduates have gone on to strong placements across a wide range of practice settings. Our fellows maintain active professional relationships with RCM faculty and alumni long after completing training — a reflection of the collegial culture that defines the program.
Surgical Training
Fellows graduate having completed an exceptionally high volume of vitreoretinal surgery, with broad exposure to the full spectrum of posterior segment disease. Primary cases in vitrectomy and scleral buckling are complemented by substantial experience in complex retinal detachment repair, including PVR and tractional retinal detachments, as well as ROP surgery. Dedicated eye-only operating rooms are available during the week and on weekends, and highly trained surgical support staff are present for every case. A wide variety of viewing systems, instrumentation, and surgical techniques are taught by our faculty, ensuring that graduates are comfortable and capable across multiple platforms.
Clinical Training
Clinical training at RCM is comprehensive and deliberately structured. Fellows are exposed to the full breadth of retinal subspecialty medicine, including pediatric retina, inherited retinal diseases, ocular oncology, and uveitis, through rotations with dedicated subspecialty faculty. Additional rotations at Hennepin County Medical Center and on the ROP service at Minneapolis and St. Paul Children's Hospitals further broaden clinical experience. A continuity clinic, run by fellows approximately one half-day per week, builds confidence and clinical autonomy. Modern diagnostic capabilities — including spectral-domain OCT, OCT-angiography, fundus autofluorescence, wide-field fluorescein and ICG angiography, ultrasound (including UBM), full-field and multifocal electrophysiology testing, and automated visual field testing — are available and supported by skilled technical staff. Call responsibilities are shared equitably among fellows and are designed to be manageable alongside the demands of a rigorous training program. Vacation time is reasonable and balanced, reflecting our belief that sustainable training produces better physicians. Beyond clinical and surgical training, fellows gain meaningful exposure to the operational and administrative aspects of retinal practice, including practice management, billing and coding, health care technology, and medical informatics — preparation that proves valuable regardless of the practice setting they ultimately enter.
Teaching and Conferences
Education at RCM extends well beyond the clinic and operating room. Fellows participate in regularly scheduled teaching conferences and journal clubs, where cases and current literature are discussed with faculty in a collaborative setting. Fellows also play an active role in educating University of Minnesota ophthalmology residents in clinical, surgical, and didactic settings — an experience that sharpens their own knowledge and prepares them for future teaching responsibilities.
Faculty
Our faculty are trained at leading programs across the country and bring a wide range of surgical philosophies and clinical perspectives to fellowship education. Fellows work alongside attendings in the OR and clinic throughout both years of training, with responsibility increasing as skills and judgment develop. Teaching is a genuine priority for our faculty, and fellows benefit from consistent, engaged mentorship across all aspects of their training.
Research
Scholarly activity is an integral part of fellowship training at RCM. Our active clinical trials department provides meaningful infrastructure and support for fellows pursuing research, and funding is available for appropriate projects. Fellows are encouraged to submit their work to peer-reviewed journals and regularly present findings at national and international meetings. The fellowship environment supports curiosity and academic engagement alongside busy clinical and surgical schedules.
Minneapolis–St. Paul
Minneapolis and St. Paul offer a quality of life that consistently surprises those who haven't spent time here. The Twin Cities metro area is home to 3.9 million people, a strong base of Fortune 500 companies, and a thriving arts, dining, and outdoor recreation scene. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the region offers exceptional access to lakes, trails, and the natural landscapes of the upper Midwest — all within easy reach of a dynamic and welcoming urban environment.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted through SF Match at sfmatch.org.