[MUSIC PLAYING] JUSTIN KARLIN: I came to UVA for my residency because the clinical experience is strong, surgical experience is varied. We have a variety of pathology from all over Virginia. And on top of that, Charlottesville is a really cool place. 

PETER NETLAND: We are proud of our department and of our residency program. We have a very talented group of individuals. In the department, we've made an effort to strengthen our clinical opportunities here. We've expanded the clinical programs. We have also increased the breadth of the clinical opportunities as well by adding some specialized faculty members in new areas. 

REBECCA SIEBURTH: I wanted to be at a program that would allow me to really choose between comprehensive practice and fellowship. And I like the idea of being at a small program where you would have a little bit closer mentorship with the faculty who are supervising you. 

RITA PAGE: I think this program is a very good size. It's big enough that you have research opportunities, you have faculty who are experts in their field. But it's also small enough that you get to know those faculty and have great relationships with them. And they become your mentors and work with you very closely. 

ZEYNEL KARCIOGLU: As the residency director, I try to create an environment for the faculty and the residents so they can work with each other in an optimum fashion. In 36 months of ophthalmology training, we're trying to create the best clinician for the needs of the patient-- best practicing physician we can. 

JOSHUA COHEN: When you're looking to training in ophthalmology, you want a department that's going to fit your personality. You want a department that's going to support your education and, ultimately, leave you prepared. And that's what UVA does very well. 

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JOSHUA COHEN: It is very much a hands-on place. And part of that is due to the resident-run clinic that all the residents will get to know and experience on day one. Having a resident clinic with a great deal of autonomy, but also supervision from excellent faculty members, rapidly helps us to develop the clinical skills we need to take care of a wide variety of patients and to have the confidence in our clinical decision making. 

PETER NETLAND: We have a lot of synergy between the faculty and the residents. One of the great things that the residents do is they bring in a lot of new ideas, and they bring a fresh look at a lot of different areas that we have. And we get tremendous synergistic benefit from that. 

REBECCA SIEBURTH: Coming into the clinic the first day as a new first-year and seeing my name on the door was really special. And a lot of my patients know that they're coming to see me. A lot of people come in with complicated problems. And instead of just kicking the can down the road for the next person who pulls the chart out of the box next time to see them, you know that it's on you to make sure you're evaluating them, make sure you're doing the right thing for that patient. 

JOSHUA COHEN: We see pathology in patients that often require a multi-disciplinary approach. So we work closely with our colleagues in other specialties. And I think that makes for cross-pollination and a more fruitful experience. You see a whole lot of amazing things. And the complexity and the diversity of pathology here is pretty incredible. 

RITA PAGE: We have a large catchment area of patients from a whole Western part of Virginia, from Northern Virginia down to far Southwest Virginia, so no shortage of patients to learn from. 

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I think Charlottesville is a really great place to have a work-life balance as a resident because it is just so easy. There's amazing outdoor things that you can do just 10, 15 minutes away. 

JOSHUA COHEN: The people that come here understand that it has this sort of small-town feel and very community type atmosphere that makes you feel at home. 

REBECCA SIEBURTH: So having done my prelim year in a very urban environment in New York City, I welcomed the change to a smaller town. Really friendly vibe, there's music, there is nightlife. There's a lot of culture here. It's amazing, actually, how much we have here given the size of Charlottesville. 

RITA PAGE: We work really hard when we are at the clinic. It's a busy program. But our program also understands the importance of having a life outside of a hospital. 

JOSHUA COHEN: The people that ultimately come here, we all really get along. The powers that be do a great job in selecting residents that will fit that model. 

REBECCA SIEBURTH: People really know who you are. They really pay attention to how you're doing. And it's really nice to have that kind of personal attention. 

RITA PAGE: We worked together. We slogged through the trenches together. But I think that that's one of my favorite things about our program is the quality of the residents and how well we work together as a team. 

PETER NETLAND: The enthusiasm is really infectious. And I think that all of us are feeling their sense of opportunity and the potential for growth in all areas-- in clinical care research and in education. And it's an exciting time. And we're very enthusiastic about all of that. 

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