Our Fellowship Program
The education of retina fellows has always been an important part of the mission for The Retina Institute. The practice has trained over 100 fellows, many who consider The Retina Institute the finest institution in the country for fellowship training.
Each year, two candidates are chosen for the program. The attendings mentor them in both the operating rooms and clinic. The diversity of patients seen by The Retina Institute embodies a wide range of ocular diseases providing an exceptional training ground for the fellows. In addition, the fellows also gain helpful insight into the operation and economics of a large retinal practice.
Along with their reputation for patient care, The Retina Institute is nationally recognized for their fellowship program. In concert with their mentors, the physicians trained at the The Retina Institute will make key contributions to the field of ophthalmology and to vitreoretinal surgery for many years to come.
General information
Co-Directors:
Kevin J. Blinder, MD Bradley T. Smith, MD
Address:
2201 S. Brentwood Blvd.,
St. Louis, MO 63144
Fellowship Coordinator:
Nancy Bolozky
314-367-1181
ext. 2157
Length:
2 years/2 positions
Restrictions:
This fellowship does require a restrictive covenant to be signed limiting the
geographic options for future practice.
Additional Details:
To watch a movie clip about the program, click the button at the bottom of the page.
Message from the directors
Fellowship is an integral and exciting part of education for TRI. Each of us love our work and are eager to share our experiences and varied skills with our fellows. Training includes involvement in the office and surgery. We also place heavy emphasis on scholarship to include presentations at conferences and publication of original research in keeping with the academic traditions of the vitreoretinal subspecialty.
Due to our diverse patient population, fellows are exposed to a broad spectrum of retinal diseases. In addition, fellows gain exposure to the economics and practicalities of running a private retinal practice. We are fortunate to have a wonderful staff of professionals that can assist in answering questions you may have regarding the administrative aspects of a medical practice.
It is a privilege to contribute to your career. Fellowship can be intense as it is a reflection of, and preparation for, the challenge you have embarked on to care for those suffering from blinding eye disease.
Kevin J. Blinder, MD Bradley T. Smith, MD
history of the retina institute
Dr. Paul Cibis arrived in St. Louis during the mid-1950s and set the standard for innovative and dynamic vitreoretinal surgery. In the early days, Paul advanced scleral buckling procedures, introduced the use of silicone oil for retinal detachment repair, and made widespread use of xenon arc photocoagulation.
In the early 1960s, Dr. Edward Okun, joined Paul in the clinic. Sadly, Paul died of a sudden heart attack in April 1965. Shortly thereafter, Drs. Glen Johnston, Isaac Boniuk, Neva Arribas, Dean Burgess, Rich Escoffery and Gil Grand joined Dr. Okun as Retina Consultants formed.
Ed made remarkable advances in photocoagulation treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Soon Dr. Okun and the group became some of the first ophthalmologists to perform vitrectomy surgery.