Volunteer


Why volunteer?

One of the most important ophthalmological needs in low resource countries is well-trained eye care personnel. The Ophthalmology Foundation works with ophthalmologists and ophthalmology training programs around the world to provide education on topics like adult learning principles, the latest teaching and assessment methods, training program management, critical thinking skills, continuing medical education, professionalism, and communication skills.

Benefits of volunteering

Automatic subscription to our monthly educator newsletter

Learn the most up-to-date information about medical and ophthalmic education

The opportunity to teach and network with ophthalmologists from around the world


Who should volunteer?

The Ophthalmology Foundation seeks ophthalmologists, allied ophthalmic professionals, medical education experts, and professional development educators with an interest in teaching and training medical professionals to serve as volunteers in support of our efforts to improve eye care by enhancing the education of ophthalmologists around the world.

Volunteer as Faculty

Leaders in Education
This program consists of a blended (flipped classroom) approach for invited teaching ophthalmologists from specific regions of the world. Initial training takes place online with the intent of follow-up training with face-to-face 2-day meetings. Program content and the number of meetings are determined based on needs assessment data from participants. 

The Ophthalmology Foundation is looking for experts in adult education, medical education, and professional development to serve as faculty volunteers for our Leaders in Education program. Interested parties should contact us with a CV and an example presentation on a topic related to adult learning principles, the latest teaching and assessment methods, training program management, critical thinking skills, continuing medical education, professionalism, or communication skills.

Online Courses
The Ophthalmology Foundation provides free and low cost online education courses and modules to ophthalmologists around the world. Course offerings coming soon include the Teaching Skills for Ophthalmic Educators webinar course and micro-modules on Continuing Professional Development. If you have an idea for an online course, please contact us with a full course proposal and your CV.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Mentoring
The Ophthalmology Foundation offers a global network of mentors who are experts in specific competencies of ophthalmology and medical education. Mentors in our 1:1 program will provide online structured feedback to those individuals in improving their competence/performance. Mentors in our 1:Many program will mentor a group through the creation of a new Continuing Professional Development project. Contact us if you are interested in serving as a mentor on a one-on-one basis or have expertise in CPD programming and would like to participate as a mentor in our CPD Mentorship program.  

Monthly Educator Newsletter
The monthly educator newsletter includes news and educational opportunities pertinent to ophthalmic educators, and announcements about outstanding resources for teaching and learning ophthalmology. We accept submissions for this newsletter and seek new editorial board members every 6 months to keep the newsletter fresh and relevant. Email us with your submissions or for more information on how to apply to the editorial board.

Participate as a Speaker at our Educator Sessions During Supranational Meetings
Members of our education committee have a long history of chairing sessions for ophthalmic educators at supranational meetings around the world. Submit your CV and any supporting materials (past courses, videos, etc.) to be contacted to speak at future supranational ophthalmic educator symposia and workshops.

Develop Tools for Teaching
The Ophthalmology Foundation is exploring developing tools for assisting faculty in assessing trainees’ skills and/or competence, how to facilitate teaching, and more. We are currently evaluating the possibility of developing Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA), Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) tools, and an ophthalmic educator curriculum. 

Become a volunteer

Join us

If you are interested in participating in our programs as a volunteer, please contact us with what programs you are interested in volunteering for, a copy of your CV and any supporting materials (past courses, videos, etc.) to be contacted by a representative from the Ophthalmology Foundation.