Resident Life

Program Benefits

• Resident wellness is an important priority for our program. We have recently instituted allowing a half-day per month administrative day on IU rotations that is protected time for our residents to spend as they wish.
• Meal cards are provided for food during call at all hospitals. 
• Residents receive an annual stipend which may be used towards lenses, loupes, books, meetings, etc. 
• Residents are excused from all clinical duties for one day each spring to attend the annual resident retreat for team building, discussing resident life and socializing.
• National meeting attendance is supported when presenting as primary author.
• Attendance at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting is supported for all PGY4 residents.
• The Department of Ophthalmology sponsors all PGY 4 residents to attend a two-day LASIK course where residents perform primary cases.
• PGY 4 residents are allowed up to five calendar days for job or fellowship interviews.

Call Structure

We have implemented a night float call system, split evenly between the PGY-2 and PGY-3 class, without post-call clinical or surgical responsibilities for our residents. Primary call during weekends is split between PGY-2 residents only. PGY-3 residents have no primary call responsibilities, except during the dedicated night float rotation. Backup call for primary surgical trauma cases is split between the PGY-4 residents. All call is taken from home, with overnight call-room availability on the medical campus. Fatigue mitigation strategies and education is provided during orientation and is an important priority for our program, following ACGME requirements.