About Membership
Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) is dedicated to advancing medical education, research, and patient care in ophthalmology.
To achieve this mission, AUPO provides a vital forum where leaders can address shared challenges, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions that shape the future of the field.
Membership includes departments and divisions of ophthalmology across North America, specifically those within LCME- and COCA-accredited U.S. medical schools, ACGME-accredited residency training programs, and RCPS-accredited Canadian departments affiliated with medical schools. AUPO offers two membership categories—Member and Associate Member—to ensure that the full spectrum of academic leadership is represented.
With a membership year running from July 1 to June 30, AUPO brings together chairs, program directors, educators, researchers, and administrators to strengthen academic ophthalmology through advocacy, innovation, and collaboration. By joining, you gain access to a community committed to excellence and progress across all three missions of research, education, and clinical care.
Membership Categories
| Category | Eligibility / Limit | Chair is required to be an AUPO Member | Program Director is required to be an AUPO Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Chair | One per eligible program |
|
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| Member | Program Director | One individual recognized by the ACGME or the RCPS as the responsible party for the residency training program | ✅ |
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| Member | Associate Program Director | Up to two individuals recognized as associate program directors whose Program Director is recognized by the ACGME or the RCPS as the responsible party | ✅ | ✅ |
| Member | Vice/Associate Chair of Education | One individual recognized as Vice/Associate Chair (or equivalent) whose Program Director is recognized by the ACGME or the RCPS as the responsible party | ✅ | ✅ |
| Member | Director of Medical Student Education | Up to two individuals recognized by the Chair as the program’s Director of Medical Student Education | ✅ |
|
| Member | Research Director | Up to two individuals recognized by the Chair as the program’s Director of Research | ✅ |
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| Member | Administrator | Up to two individuals recognized by the Chair as senior administrators for supporting medical education, research and patient care within the department of ophthalmology | ✅ |
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| Associate Member | Program Coordinator | Up to two individuals serving as residency Program Manager/Coordinator whose Program Director is recognized by the ACGME or the RCPS as the responsible party | ✅ | ✅ |
Annual Membership Dues
| Category | Dues | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Chair | $650 | Annual Department Fee applies ($1,000). Covers: Waived article processing fees for the Journal of Academic Ophthalmology; Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP); Surgical Curriculum for Ophthalmology Residents (SCOR); Women Professors of Ophthalmology (WPO); Support for the AUPO/AAO VISION Mentoring Program |
Chair | $325 | Annual Department Fee applies ($1,000). Covers: Waived article processing fees for the Journal of Academic Ophthalmology; Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP); Surgical Curriculum for Ophthalmology Residents (SCOR); Women Professors of Ophthalmology (WPO); Support for the AUPO/AAO VISION Mentoring Program |
Members | $325 | Includes Program Director, Associate Program Director, Vice/Associate Chair of Education, Director of Medical Student Education, Research Director, Administrator |
Members (Military Programs) | $163 | Includes Program Director, Associate Program Director, Vice/Associate Chair of Education, Director of Medical Student Education, Research Director, Administrator |
Associate Members | $100 | Includes Residency Program Coordinators |
Prospective New Members
Applicants who meet the following requirements may apply for membership throughout the year. In all cases, the Chair must join as a Member first, followed by applicable member categories. Eligibility will be verified by AUPO before membership is approved.
Chairs, Residency Program Directors, Associate Residency Program Directors, Vice/Associate Chairs of Education, Directors of Medical Student Education, Research Directors, Senior Administrators, or Coordinators in departments/divisions of ophthalmology at:
- Medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in the United States
- Medical schools accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) in the United States
- Ophthalmology residency training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in medical schools and other teaching institutions in the United States
- Departments/divisions of ophthalmology accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (RCPS) in Canada and affiliated with a Canadian medical school
If your program meets the above criteria and is not included on the current active member institution list, please complete a New Member Form.
Current Member/Associate Member Changes and Additions
Changes in membership for Chairs, Residency Program Directors, Associate Program Directors, Vice/Associate Chairs of Education (or equivalent), Directors of Medical Student Education, Research Directors, Senior Administrators, and Coordinators should be reported throughout the year.
Reporting changes can be accomplished by submitting a New Member Form.
Dues are payable only once annually, even when there is a mid-year change in the individual representing the medical school or other institution.
Eligibility for each requested change or addition will be verified by AUPO before approval.
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