Fellowships
Fellowships
Welcome to CRI:
Charles Retina Institute offers a two-year surgical retina fellowship, which is AUPO certified. Fellows work alongside Dr. Steve Charles and Dr. Stephen Huddleston at CRI both in clinic and in the operating room. Dr. Charles has trained fellows for over 35 years. The fellowship is in partnership with the University of Tennessee Hamilton Eye Institute. Second year fellows work with UT Residents in the resident retina clinic and work alongside Dr. Ben King (UT) in the operating room.
On average, CRI provides care to 200-250 patients a day. During clinic days, fellows gain experience in seeing patients; interpreting imaging studies (OCT, Fundus photos, IVFA); and in managing and treating diseases such as exudative and nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal tears, retinal detachment, uveitis, retinopathy of prematurity and others.
Procedures:
Fellows perform anti-VEGF injections, intravitreal steroid implant injections, investigational medications from clinical trials, pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP), laser indirect ophthalmoscopy (LIO), focal laser, and pneumatic retinopexy.
Operating Room:
Fellows spend one to two days a week in the operating room with Dr. Charles and Dr. Huddleston. Most cases are performed in an outpatient surgery center. A typical OR day ranges from 6-14 cases. Fellows complete fellowship having performed 850- 1000 vitrectomies and enough scleral buckles to be proficient. Second year fellows gain exposure operating independently at Methodist University Hospital.
UT Hamilton Eye Resident Clinic:
Second year fellows spend two half days a week staffing the UT Hamilton Eye Resident retina clinic. There is a high prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, and hospital trauma follow-up. Second year fellows are relied on to teach residents and make complex medical and surgical decisions. Surgical cases booked from this clinic are done independently at Methodist University Hospital.
Church Health Clinic:
Church Health (CH) is a non-profit organization that provides multi-disciplinary healthcare for the working uninsured patients of Memphis. CRI has partnered with CH for years to provide medical and surgical retina care to these patients. Recently, we have collaborated to start a fellow-run clinic at their facility. There is a high prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in this clinic. The second-year fellow goes to this clinic two half-days a week. Surgical cases booked from this clinic are done independently at Methodist University Hospital.
Retinopathy of Prematurity:
There is a large retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) service at CRI, which includes six major NICUs. Fellows become proficient with ROP screening exams, intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, and laser for ROP.
Technology and Clinical Trials:
The CRI fellowship provides exposure to the newest technology in the field of retina. Fellows get experience to the newest lasers and surgical equipment (vitrectomy machine and heads up display). CRI is enrolled in numerous clinical trials. Fellows are exposed to the newest surgical treatments such as subretinal gene therapy and port delivery system and are involved in treating patients as unmasked treaters with the newest medical therapies for exudative AMD, non-exudative AMD, and DME.
Salary/Benefits:
First year fellows are paid $75,000 a year. Second year fellows are paid $85,000 per year. Second year fellows are paid a stipend for satellite ROP coverage in Tupelo, MS and Jonesboro, AR. Medical, dental, and optical insurance is provided at no charge to fellows and families.
Contact us for more information:
Email: snewsom@charlesretina.com
Living in Memphis:
Memphis provides a variety of opportunities. Memphis is the home of the Blues, Soul, and Rock “n” roll. One can always find fun events on Beale Street downtown. Other entertainment opportunities include parks such as Overton Park, Shelby Farms, and Mud Island. Sporting events include the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), University of Memphis Tigers sports, Memphis Redbirds (Minor League Baseball), and Memphis 901 FC (Soccer).
More information on places to eat and events can be found on: https://ilovememphisblog.com/
