Ophthalmology Residency Columbia - Director's Welcome

Providing a positive environment for teaching

The Ophthalmology Residency Program at Prisma Health and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia has many strengths, in particular the abundance of surgical experience for our residents. In the more than 20 years of our program's history, this strength has not diminished. It is derived from our referral area, which is both urban and rural. The unique eye problems of rural South Carolina are of particular interest as these areas are public health service designated health care shortage areas. It is these areas where physician access is problematic and the diagnosis and care for diseases such as diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration, refractive errors and amblyopia are most challenging.

We are committed to the overall mission of Prisma Health and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in addressing the primary health care problems of the citizens of our state. In the Department of Ophthalmology, we will make our greatest impact on the primary eye care problems of our patients and will focus on the prevention of vision impairment and blindness.

Our top priority is to provide a positive environment for teaching of all residents and students. Our goal is to train residents to become excellent primary care ophthalmologists, skilled in an array of surgical techniques. To achieve this goal, we have developed a strong relationship with the William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Administration Hospital where residents provide primary eye and surgical care with direct faculty supervision. We foster collegial relationships within the resident cadre by pairing junior and senior residents on many of the rotations and encourage an "open door" policy with the faculty. Every rotation has faculty participation. We provide an extensive lecture series and grand rounds presentations. Educational and research activities abound.

The ophthalmology residency program at Prisma Health Richland is fully accredited by Residency Review Committee in Ophthalmology. Here we accord a dynamic experience that nurtures your career objectives. You will be working with congenial people while serving an inviting community. If you think you would like to be part of our endeavor, we'd like to hear from you.

Dr. Mark Robinson
Director, Ophthalmology Residency Program
Prisma Health/University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia