October 11th, 2021
Episode 14: Dr. Emily Cole, MD MPH
A discussion on
“Global Ophthalmology training innovations & the Intersection of Retina in a pandemic setting”
Dr. Emily Cole, MD MPH
In this episode of Open Globe Talk, we are joined by Dr. Emily Cole, MD MPH who is the Assistant Chief of Service and a current global ophthalmology fellow at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Cole attended Brown University for her undergraduate and then went on to obtain her dual MD MPH degrees at Tufts University School of Medicine. Most recently, she completed her ophthalmology residency from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As she applies to Retina fellowship, we discuss with Dr. Cole how she is preparing to be a global ophthalmologist in the field of retina as well as her tips for training as a global ophthalmologist!
Key discussion points:
What made you decide to pursue Ophthalmology?
Global background
Teach for China
Fieldwork in Nepal
Draw to Retina specialty?
Research Fellowship in Retina prior to Residency
How has the global experience helped Dr. Cole mature through her career as a global ophthalmologist?
Teamwork with culturally diverse team members
What was the benefit of an MPH prior to the Global Ophthalmology fellowship?
“Not losing the forest in the trees of medical school”
Exposure and social networking with multiple other specialists outside and within medicine
Thoughts on MPH and what would be suggestions for someone thinking about it?
Build the mentorship and skills you want. Don’t consider it as a checkbox!
Perhaps consider when it would be the best time to get the degree. Maybe later down the road into residency or after, one may find benefit of doing the degree then as they know more about the skills they want to build on
The decision to conduct global ophthalmology fellowship at UIC?
Continued research from residency
Faculty mentors in every specialty that encompass global ophthalmology sphere
The relationships with global partners
What is global ophthalmology training like in a pandemic setting?
Strengthening telemedicine and telementoring relationships that fellows can build on
Building data management systems is an area currently being worked on
Maintaining streams of communication while working with global partners in various time zones
What lessons have been learned during these months doing the GO fellowship?
Being aware of resources available online (AAO, LSHTM)
Forming a network of other global ophthalmology fellows
Monthly journal clubs
Utah retreat
What type of global sites do fellows learn from while doing their GO fellowship at UIC? (please note: the fellowship was started around the time that pandemic struck)
MSICS in Chicago for fellows interested in anterior segment work to work around the pandemic situation
Neuro-ophthalmology at Aravind Eye Hospital, India
Keio University in Tokyo, Japan
Previous fellow (and first of program) went to Ghana with Orbis
Thammasat Eye Center in Bangkok, Thailand
Federal University in Sao Paolo, Brazil
And many more!
The fellowship can be based on what the fellow wants to focus on
Primary research interest in academic global ophthalmology?
Retinopathy of Prematurity: working with partners in Nepal, Mongolia, India
Plans for incorporating retina and global ophthalmology in the near future
Applying for K funding
Thoughts on doing global ophthalmology fellowship before Retina fellowship?
Tips for those thinking about applying to global ophthalmology fellowships and specifically for those who want to incorporate it with Retina subspecialty training?
Reach out sooner to mentors!
Cold email speakers at conferences who practice academic global ophthalmology and ask advice for shaping career in the field of Retina
Ask:
What does your week/month look like?
How do you balance competing interests with global travel?
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