About the fellowship

OHSU Casey Eye Institute’s 2-year fellowship is sponsored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic, Orbital and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and is monitored by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee (AUPO FCC).

Casey Eye Institute has provided ASOPRS fellowship training since 1987 by John L. Wobig, MD, MBA and until July 2025 by Roger A. Dailey, M.D., FACS who was his first fellow. Beginning in July 2025, Dr. Dailey’s fellowship program will terminate, and a new fellowship program will begin with John D. Ng, M.D., M.S., FACS as the program director. Dr. Ng trained with William R. Nunery, M.D., FACS, has been in academic practice since 1997, and has participated in ASOPRS fellow training since 2000.

The fellowship begins July 5 in each odd numbered year with one fellow accepted every other year. Fellows work with interns, residents, other ophthalmic fellows and fellows and faculty from other specialties. The program includes training in the subspecialty for both the adult and pediatric patient populations, and training including working with general plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, head and neck surgery, microvascular free flap surgery, Mohs surgery, oral maxillofacial surgery and neurosurgery.

The program is primarily based at OHSU Casey Eye Institute, and the fellow also has weekly half-day clinics and minor procedures and monthly main OR time at the Portland VA Medical Center, which is part of the OHSU medical complex. Salary and benefits are based on ACGME PGY-5 & 6 salaries for the first and second years respectively.

Clinical opportunities

The Oculofacial Plastics, Orbital and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship offers extensive clinical and surgical experience in eyelid, lacrimal, orbital, trauma, complex reconstruction and multi-disciplinary cases (skull base, head and neck, neurosurgical, rhinology, oncology and facial rehabilitation) in both adults and children. Participation in cosmetic procedures including periocular and facial surgery, fillers, implants, neuromodulators and laser modalities are part of the training. A unique opportunity available is the participation in the Casey Eye Institute’s Facial Nerve Center Multidisciplinary Clinic, which is physically housed at the Institute and is co-directed by Dr. Ng.

The fellow will participate in the faculty’s clinics and OR and have a half day of their own clinic at Casey Eye Institute, which will generate some of the fellow’s own cases that can be staffed by the faculty. The fellow will have increased autonomy at the VA Medical Center in clinic and the OR. There are also 2 faculty members available for consultation and guidance at the VA.

The fellow is responsible for primary oculofacial plastics department call and back up for residents on call for oculofacial plastics and orbital cases. The fellow does take primary comprehensive call a week at a time to back up the residents on call. This comprehensive call frequency is about 2 weeks each year in rotation with all other fellows and surgical faculty of the Casey Eye Institute. The fellow also staffs in-patient consults with the residents approximately 8 Friday’s per year in rotation with the other clinical ophthalmology fellows.

In addition to working with other specialties and services on joint cases, during the second year, fellows will be able to spend time with adjunct faculty in Head and Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Mohs surgery.

Research opportunities

Clinical research and publication is part of the fellowship program. Fellows may also participate in ongoing clinical trials. There are basic science labs and basic scientist mentors for those fellows interested in such research opportunities. Financing for research is available through the Lester T. Jones Endowed Chair.

Educational opportunities

The fellow is appointed as a Clinical Instructor during their two years. Fellows participate in resident clinical teaching for residents on the oculofacial plastics rotation, during call for appropriate cases, and at the VA. The fellow will also give some lectures to the residents, participate in grand rounds, and participate in quarterly oculofacial plastics journal club. There is a yearly Casey Eye Institute head dissection course, and the fellow may also attend the Orbital Dissection Course at UCLA. Fellows are strongly encouraged to submit poster abstracts and podium presentations at national meetings and will attend to present.

Application process

All applicants must complete the SF application form, submit a curriculum vitae and 3 letters of recommendation. Applications should be submitted through the ASOPRS Match at www.SFMatch.org, and our program name is Oculofacial Plastic, Orbital and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.

Applications are reviewed by the program director and division faculty, and select candidates are invited for an interview. Candidates are ranked based on their performance in residency training, CV, life experience and letters of recommendation.

Fellowship program team

Fellowship Director: John D. Ng, MD, MS, FACS     

Coordinator: Dajana Zelen
Clinical Assistant Coordinator: Dawn Brundage