Mississippi State University- Ophthalmology Specialty Intern Position 2024-2025

Mississippi State University- Ophthalmology Specialty Intern Position 2024-2025

The ophthalmology program at Mississippi State University is excited to offer a 1-year ophthalmology internship training program beginning July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026.

Deadlines: Preference given to applications received by Friday, December 13, 2024, but applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Prerequisites

Candidates must be highly motivated and have previously completed a one-year rotating internship or its equivalent in practice experience (3 years).   Candidates must have graduated from an AVMA accredited College of Veterinary Medicine and must have passed the NAVLE prior to the start date of the internship or be a graduate that has been through the entire ECFVG qualification process (see https://ecfvg.avma.org/ecfvg/avmacertificationmain.aspx) prior to applying for the internship. 

Questions about the program should be directed to:

Caroline Betbeze, DVM, MS, DACVO

cbetbeze@cvm.msstate.edu

Phone: 662-325-3432

Application Process
Application Requirements: Current curriculum vitae (should contain class rank and GPA), veterinary school official transcript, personal statement (cover letter), three letters of reference (sent directly from the letter writer)

These requirements should be preferably delivered by email by to:

Caroline Betbeze, DVM, MS, DACVO

Email subject line: 2025 Ophthalmology Specialty Internship

cbetbeze@cvm.msstate.edu

If via mail, applications and letters of reference should be sent to:

Mississippi State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Clinical Sciences
Attn: Dr. Caroline Betbeze
P.O. Box 6100
Mississippi State, MS 39762

Following a review of applications, selected individuals will be invited for interviews (via video conference).  An offer will be extended on January 27, 2024 following ORCA residency decisions. 

Mississippi State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in its programs or activities.

Vacation, Compensation, Fees, and University Requirements

Salary: $42,500/annually

Professional liability insurance: Required, but paid by MSU-CVM

Benefits: Standard university employee health and retirement package is available; please visit www.msstate.edu for more information about this benefits package.

Vacation: Accrued per pay period and equal to 10 days paid vacation time yearly.

Licensure: Candidate must be eligible for licensure in the state of Mississippi.  The costs for licensure will be covered by MSU-CVM. 

General Information

The objectives of this internship are to provide a non-degree, advanced clinical training program in companion animal ophthalmology in a supportive, learning atmosphere. This program will allow veterinarians to expand their ophthalmic knowledge base and clinical skills in preparation for further training in an ophthalmology residency.  The intern will spend his or her time working on the ophthalmology service in the veterinary teaching hospital.  Two Ophthalmology faculty members, one ABVO-approved Ophthalmology resident, and two experienced certified veterinary technologists will support the Ophthalmology department in addition to the specialty intern. We are passionate about veterinary ophthalmology, patient care, teaching, and learning!  We have a fun working environment with an emphasis on teamwork and work/life balance.

 

All clinical duties of the intern will be conducted under supervision of the faculty members and will include diagnosing and treating companion animals with ocular disease, managing inpatients, providing consultations for doctors from other hospital services and surrounding general practices, and contributing to the education of 3rd and 4th year veterinary students working in the teaching hospital.  Surgical duties include various adnexal surgeries, enucleations, and other surgery deemed appropriate for the intern’s level of training.  The intern will participate in ophthalmology emergency duty to back up the small animal and equine rotating interns.  This duty is supported and shared by the ophthalmology faculty members and resident. 

The learning and research goals for the internship will be accomplished by working closely with senior faculty and resident, participating in daily patient rounds, journal/literature club, bi-monthly learning sessions (board review, mock image recognition, topics), monthly article reviews with associated exam questions, monthly ocular histopathology rounds with board-certified pathologists, and seminars and clinical presentations for ophthalmology.  Clinical acumen will be achieved through individual case responsibility and providing the highest quality patient care.  The program provides clinical, classroom, laboratory and continuing education teaching opportunities.  The intern will also be strongly encouraged to attend the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists annual meeting and will be given time off, but financial assistance to attend this meeting will not be available. Time off will also be given for residency interviews.  A grant proposal and clinical research project will be encouraged, but not required.  A presentation to peers, students, and faculty must be given at the conclusion of the internship if a research project is performed. 

Mississippi State University is located in Starkville, Mississippi.  Starkville is a community of approximately 25,000 residents in addition to MSU’s enrollment of about 23,000 students per year. The College’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides outpatient and hospital accommodations for the medical and surgical treatment of companion animals throughout the state of Mississippi and surrounding states.   Complete clinical, diagnostic, and pathologic facilities permit the intensive diagnostics and care for hospital patients, and our hospital is adequately staffed with specialists in many veterinary specialties including surgery (equine and small animal), internal medicine (equine and small animal), neurology, dermatology, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, anatomic and clinical pathology, radiology, and theriogenology. 

Teresa Black