Orthoptic Fellowship Program

Orthoptic Fellowship Program

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Program Overview

Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Children’s Wisconsin Orthoptic Fellowship Program offers a premier, comprehensive fellowship experience in pediatric ophthalmology, adult strabismus and orthoptics. As part of one of the nation’s leading pediatric health systems, fellows benefit from exceptional clinical exposure, structured education and individualized mentorship in a collaborative, patient-centric environment.

The Orthoptic Fellowship Program at Children’s Wisconsin is designed to develop highly skilled, well-rounded and confident orthoptists prepared for independent clinical practice and national American Orthoptic Council (AOC) board certification. The Children’s Wisconsin Orthoptic Fellowship Program blends robust clinical immersion with structured didactics, emphasizing excellence in patient care, critical thinking, professional growth and lifelong learning.

Program Structure

  • Two fellows per year
  • Standard program length: 24 months
  • Accelerated 12-month option available for qualified candidates with advanced standing
  • Flexible start dates, typically July–August

Program Aims and Goals

The Pediatric Orthoptic Fellowship Program aims to:

  • Train fellows in clinical and academic orthoptics
  • Prepare fellows for productive futures in orthoptic practice
  • Provide resources and mentorship for basic science, translational and clinical research

Program goals include education, clinical care, research and professional development.

Clinical Training Experience

Fellows train across multiple Children’s Wisconsin clinical sites, gaining exposure to a diverse pediatric and adult patient population and a wide spectrum of ocular and binocular vision disorders. Under the supervision of experienced pediatric ophthalmologists, adult strabismologists, pediatric optometrists and certified orthoptists, fellows participate in comprehensive evaluations, diagnostic testing and management of complex conditions.

Clinicals are generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with fellow support provided by the Program Director and precepting orthoptists. Fellows will be responsible for meeting AOC requisite patient counts and maintaining patient encounter logbooks.

Clinical skills are continuously taught through observation and hands-on practice during patient evaluations.

  • 0-6 months: Introduction to terminology, ocular anatomy, basic exam techniques, classification of strabismic deviations, history taking, visual acuity testing.
  • 6-12 months: Direct patient contact, perform basic exams under supervision, advanced lectures in neuroanatomy and physiology, diagnostic techniques and orthoptic therapy.
  • 12-18 months: Continue advanced lectures, introduction to retinoscopy and refraction, perform complete motility examination with limited supervision.
  • 18-24 months: Demonstrate ability to perform a complete and accurate motility examination without supervision, appropriate use of measurement and diagnostic techniques, accurate determination of refractive error, formulate diagnosis and treatment plans.

Contact Information

For additional information about the Orthoptic Fellowship Program or application materials, please contact:

Children’s Wisconsin Orthoptic Fellowship Program
Veronica Picard Schaefer, CO
vpicard@childrenswi.org
(414) 266-2020

How To Apply

Deadline for Submission January 31

Mail/Email complete application to:

Veronica Picard Schaefer, CO
8915 W. Connell Court, Suite 360
Pediatric Ophthalmology Department
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Any questions regarding the application or program may be answered by emailing vpicard@childrenswi.org.

Please include:

  • Application
  • Immunization records
  • Official copy of college transcripts (sent directly to email address above if permitted by university)
  • Three letters of recommendation (sent directly to email address above)
  • Up-to-date curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement of why orthoptics appeals to you, and describe any relevant work, volunteer or life experience. Handwritten on a separate sheet of paper

More Information

The fellowship includes a structured didactic curriculum aligned with the AOC Orthoptic Syllabus. Educational activities feature weekly lectures, case-based discussions, quizzes and quarterly comprehensive examinations. Didactic instruction is closely integrated with clinical experience to reinforce learning and promote clinical reasoning. Additional educational opportunities include ophthalmology grand rounds, pediatric eye clinical conferences and AOC-sponsored basic science courses given weekly.

Written and oral examinations will be used to test knowledge of didactic materials at the end of each section. Midterm practice exams will be given periodically to assess progress in learning.

Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical and/or basic science research projects under faculty mentorship. Research may be presented at regional or national meetings, supporting scholarly development and academic engagement.

On average, tuition is $6,500, payable in two installments over the course of two years. Tuition for the accelerated advanced-standing program is increased, payable prior to the start of the fellowship. Tuition includes the cost of books and learning materials.

The Children’s Wisconsin Orthoptic Fellowship Program maintains high standards of academic, clinical and professional performance. Fellows are expected to consistently demonstrate competency, integrity, accountability and respect for patients, families and colleagues. When performance concerns arise, the program is committed to early identification, constructive feedback, and structured remediation whenever appropriate. However, continued failure to meet established standards may result in probation or dismissal from the program.

Grounds for Dismissal may include, but are not limited to:

  • Failure to meet academic or examination requirements.
  • Inability to demonstrate safe and competent clinical performance.
  • Repeated unprofessional behavior or violation of institutional policies.
  • Breach of patient confidentiality or ethical standards.
  • Failure to comply with program expectations after formal remediation.

Successful completion of the fellowship fulfills clinical training requirements necessary to sit for national orthoptic board examinations. Fellows receive ongoing assessment, mentorship and guidance to ensure readiness for board certification and professional practice.

Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric healthcare, offering fellows access to state-of-the-art facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration and a strong academic culture.

Children's Wisconsin has one of the busiest pediatric hospitals in the country. It is a Level I Trauma Center and houses a 68-bed pediatric intensive care unit, a 70-bed Level IV neonatal intensive care unit and a Level IV Epilepsy Monitoring unit.

Our Eye Program at Children's Wisconsin proudly treats more than 7,500 children each year. Parents from Wisconsin and surrounding states trust their kids' eye health to our team of qualified ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists. Our specialists have the most pediatric eye care experience in the region and are actively involved in clinical research studies, including national studies funded by the National Institutes of Health.

We offer children premier, comprehensive pediatric ophthalmologic, optometric and orthoptic care. Whether the child needs a routine eye exam or diagnosis and treatment for eye disease, our team of experts can readily collaborate to offer the best possible care.

Three of our current team members won the annual Richard G. Scobee Student Award, which is presented to a newly AOC Certified Orthoptist for excellence in scholastic achievement, receiving the highest combined score on AOC certifying examinations:

  • 2025 Logan Peronto
  • 1999 Veronica Picard
  • 1995 Lisa Waldorf

Milwaukee provides a vibrant and affordable setting with rich cultural offerings, making it an ideal place to train and thrive.

The Orthoptic Fellowship Program is led by Veronica Picard Schaefer, CO, Orthoptic Program Director, and Smith Ann Chisholm, MD, Orthoptic Program Medical Director. Together they provide strategic leadership, curriculum oversight and individualized mentorship, ensuring a rigorous, supportive and nationally competitive training experience.