Wrapping up my formal ophthalmology training with a global ophthalmology fellowship was a no brainer—after all, it’s what sparked my interest in the field in the first place. Choosing the right fellowship can seem overwhelming since global ophthalmology fellowships are inherently diverse and ever changing based on social landscapes. Here are some things that drew me to Duke GO as an applicant:
1. A Combined Cornea Fellowship
Prior to joining Duke Global Ophthalmology, I completed my Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery fellowship at Weill Cornell. Naturally, I wanted to not only put my subspecialty training skills to use, but I wanted to be at a fellowship where I would continue to grow and advance those skills. While most global ophthalmology fellowships focus on cataract surgery, Duke’s Global Cornea Fellowship truly encompasses cornea, exceeding the AUPO’s cornea fellowship minimum numbers, in addition to providing training in complex cataracts, secondary IOLs, exposure to “middle segment” surgeries such as pupilloplasties and artificial iris, and refractive surgeries like LASIK, PRK, and ICLs. This fellowship is truly a “2-in-1,” combining a global ophthalmology year with a cornea fellowship.
2. A Global Community at Duke
Duke has an extensive global network and history of global collaboration across multiple countries and specialties. Duke’s Global Ophthalmology fellowship is supported by the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI), an academic community of globally-minded trainees across a wide range subspecialties. This year’s Global Health Pathway group, headed by Dr. Nathan Theilman, includes a diverse and passionate group of trainees in internal medicine, orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, and other subspecialty groups. Through the Global Health Pathway, one has access to global health curriculums and resources provided by the Hubert-Yeargan center. At least once a month, we gather over home-made dinners and journal clubs to share reflections on global health-- ethical dilemmas, recent travels, upcoming projects, current events, and more. This global community represents a group of compassionate, driven, and like-minded individuals who I call “my people,” and I feel that I have found my people at Duke Global Ophthalmology.
3. The People
They say when searching for a fellowship or job, the most important aspect of that position is the people you will work with. Fellowship, unlike residency, can truly be an apprenticeship, offering one the opportunity to learn from one or a few dedicated mentors. One of the main reasons why I chose Duke Global Ophthalmology was because of Dr. Lloyd Williams, who is also this year’s AAO Humanitarian of the Year (2025). It’s rare to meet someone as driven to eliminate global blindness as Dr. Williams. He embodies the spirit of global ophthalmology and shows unwavering dedication to the mission in all that he does.
One of the key things I wanted in a fellowship was close mentorship— specifically someone who was motivated to teach, genuinely invested in my surgical and professional growth, and willing to dedicate the time needed to do both. Furthermore, Dr. Williams is an excellent surgeon and educator—he’s is that person the community trusts with the toughest cases. If you’re somebody who wants to be able to manage complex cases, he’s the ideal person to learn from.
Lastly, Duke Global Ophthalmology would not be where it is without our amazing program coordinator, Mary Harris. Mary looks out for everyone, keeps everything running smoothly, and brings positivity and care to every interaction. Having strong support staff (so many names not mentioned in this post!) is crucial for a smooth fellowship experience, and Duke Global Ophthalmology has that part down.