The ASOPRS Approved Oculoplastics International Fellowship is a two year program that exposes the fellow to oculoplastic and orbital surgery in the pediatric and adult population.
The goal of the Fellowship is to provide advanced training for fellows with the expectation of returning to their home country to establish a practice in oculoplastic and orbital surgery.
The additional emphasis in pediatrics provides the fellow with training not typically received in traditional oculoplastic fellowships.
Upon acceptance as a clinical fellow, a California Medical Board Section 2111 appointment is made which uniquely allows the international fellow to have direct patient contact and surgical experience under the direct supervision of the fellowship preceptors. The previous fellow performed over 200 orbital surgeries, 1500 oculoplastic surgeries and 230 lacrimal surgeries.
International fellowships at UCSD are non-funded. Fellows must bring financial support from their home institutions or other sources. Potential applicants should speak and write English well enough to communicate with patients and staff members.
Teaching and research are vital components of the fellowship. Fellows regularly participate in medical student and resident teaching seminars. Cadaver dissection provides the fellow with an invaluable anatomic foundation for surgical care. Fellows are expected to participate in Divisional research programs and to present findings at scientific meetings and scholarly publications.
Preceptors (all have UCSD and Rady Children's Hospital appointments)
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Nahia Dib El Jalbout as our newest International ASOPRS Fellow in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute.
Dr. El Jalbout, a distinguished graduate from the Lebanese American University School of Medicine, brings with her a remarkable academic record,
decorated with honors and extensive involvement in medical, surgical, and educational initiatives throughout her residency.
Her commitment to ophthalmology has been demonstrated through her active participation in research, teaching, and volunteer work aimed at providing crucial eye care services to underprivileged communities in Lebanon.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. El Jalbout is a talented pianist, having completed the Occidental Music Program at the National Conservatory of Music. She also enjoys tennis, swimming, running, and has a passion for cooking and baking. With her multifaceted skills and compassionate approach to patient care, Dr. El Jalbout is an exceptional addition to our fellowship program. We are excited to see the contributions she will make to our community and the field of oculoplastic surgery.
Congratulations to our most recent graduate, Dr. Eman Al Sharif who returns to Saudi Arabia as a consultant at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
UCSD Oculoplastics Team at the 2024 Japan Ophthalmological Society Meeting
For more information, please email
Jasmine Herndon, jnherndon@health.ucsd.edu
Oculoplastics Division Administrator
Information about diversity and inclusion is available through multiple venues. First, there are several websites available that provide information about diversity initiatives across the entire campus (diversity.ucsd.edu) and the (School of Medicine). Many departments have their own websites as well. Virtually all departments at UCSD have identified an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) ambassador, typically a faculty member who spearheads diversity-related initiatives in their areas/specialties and also collaborates with various entities across the medical school.
There are several active affinity organizations for UCSD medical students. These include:
The Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS)
The Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association (APAMSA)LGBTQ
Pharmacy and Medical Students (LGBTQ-PhaM)
The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
Medical Students for Justice (MS4J)
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
UCSD also offers a curricular pathway called Program in Medical Education – Health Equity (PRIME - HEq), which part of a system-wide effort at the University of California to train physicians better able to meet the needs of the diverse Californian population who are traditionally underserved by the medical system. PRIME-HEq faculty work with students to identify populations or communities at risk for health disparities. Students will then receive exposure, training, and the opportunity to work with the identified group to further their passion in the area and provide knowledge and skills to better equip the students to improve health equity for the group.
