Opportunities for Students
Students in the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program enjoy many avenues to explore ophthalmology and become competitive ophthalmology residency applicants. Students selected for participation are given the opportunity to:
- Connect with enthusiastic ophthalmologist mentors who support students’ academic and career development
- Explore the field of ophthalmology and gain hands-on experience with ophthalmic technology
- Learn how ophthalmologists positively impact community health by preventing vision loss from diseases such as diabetes and glaucoma
- Discover why ophthalmologists enjoy rewarding work and report high career satisfaction
- See how ophthalmologists are passionate about protecting sight and empowering lives
Student Responsibilities
Students selected for participation in the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program are responsible for:
- Attending Student Engagement Weekend, Nov. 14 and 15, 2020 in Las Vegas
- Communicating with their mentors by phone, video chat, email or in person at least 3 to 4 times each year, more frequently when needed
- Keeping their mentors updated on important issues, concerns, decisions, etc.
- Responding to all program surveys and requests for information in a timely manner
Student Engagement Weekend
The Class of 2020 will attend Student Engagement Weekend on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 in Las Vegas, held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The program covers round-trip airfare to Las Vegas for all students. Flight arrangements are made through a travel agent and require arrival anytime on Friday, Nov. 13 and flight departure no earlier than 5:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 15. Students are encouraged to seek funding for lodging and other travel-related expenses from their schools' diversity offices, offices of student affairs or ophthalmology departments.
The program also provides:
- Free registration for AAO 2020, the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Las Vegas (Nov. 13 - 16)
- Breakfast, lunch, and a light dinner on Nov. 14; breakfast and lunch on Nov. 15
- Program materials
Who Should Apply
Underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students include those who identify as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and/or Native American (American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian).
We are seeking students who will be in their first or second year of medical school during the 2020 - 2021 academic year; OR pre-medical students planning to enter medical school in 2021 (for example, college seniors, post-baccalaureate students or students taking a gap year for research).
Dates and Deadlines
- June 15, 2020: Student application due
- July 2020: Student acceptance notifications sent
- Nov. 14 and 15, 2020: Student Engagement Weekend at AAO 2020 (Las Vegas, NV)
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact mentoring@aao.org.