In the past few months we have all become acutely aware of the systemic racism and bias that exists in medicine and in the community at large. The AUPO Board of Trustees has responded by crafting a statement that not only recognizes this issue, but commits to a plan of action for academic departments of ophthalmology. All of us, as leaders in our field, have a singular opportunity to successfully address and solve the challenges we face as researchers, educators, and care givers. Read the statement here.

The Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program, a partnership between the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO), now in its second formal year, has assisted over 50 students through the dedication of volunteer ophthalmologists.

Since its inception, the program has made a real impact on medical students’ lives. Read Report

The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) has developed a series of recommendations to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2020-2021 ophthalmology match cycle. Our intention is to ensure a successful residency application process by focusing on 4 guiding principles: safety, equity, fairness, and transparency.  A summary of these recommendations is available as an editorial-in-press in Ophthalmology.  You can access the full text version and a downloadable PDF using the following link:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.07.012

In a recent endorsement of the AAMC’s “Statement on Police Brutality and Racism in America and Their Impact on Health,” AUPO shared the organization’s commitment to the goals of equity, justice and the elimination of systemic racism in ophthalmology, health care, and our society. 

Read AUPO  Statement 
Review AAMC Statement

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) has decided to suspend Step 2 CS test administrations for the next 12-18 months. Read full announcement

In response to the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on medical education, as well as its potential effects throughout the upcoming interview season and match cycle, AUPO has developed an information document  to assist medical students applying to ophthalmology this year. 

2021 Ophthalmology Match Update Document

Nominations are open for the RPB David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding Vision Research ('The Weeks Award'). Established through the generosity of Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), an anonymous donor, and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO), to annually recognize and celebrate an outstanding ophthalmic vision scientist whose research has made meaningful contributions to the understanding and/or treatment of potentially blinding eye disease. Read More

Nominations accepted through June 1. Review Criteria and Nomination Materials

The nomination period for the AUPO/AAO Straatsma Award for Resident Education is open through April 15. This award recognizes and celebrates an outstanding Program Director in ophthalmology. View Criteria and Nomination Materials

The inaugural AUPO Academic Leadership Development program will debut in July 2020. Nominations are open through November 15, 2019. The purpose of this program is to identify individuals with the interest in and potential for leadership positions in academic ophthalmology. View Brochure or Nominate

After a two-year pilot program, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology is pleased to share the 2018-2019 Annual Report for the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program. Read Report