AUPO, 655 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA (2026)

05/14/2026

Calling medical students AND the faculty who guide them!

AUPO and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are hosting a free webinar on the 2026–27 Ophthalmology Residency Match — designed for both aspiring ophthalmologists and the educators, mentors, and program directors supporting them through the process.

Wednesday, June 3
5:00 PM PT | 6:00 PM MT | 7:00 PM CT | 8:00 PM ET

A panel of ophthalmology educators will cover:
- Personal statements, research & extracurriculars
- Away rotations & preference signaling
- Interview strategies
- Non-traditional applicants
- What's new in the 2026–27 match

Students will walk away with a clearer roadmap for their applications. Faculty mentors will leave better equipped to advise students at every stage — with the most current data available.

Please share this with your departments, students, and colleagues. The more people who have access to this information, the stronger our applicant pool will be.

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z1dZ8xRRT-WszGwQMoPNzg #/registration

04/30/2026

AUPO leaders at the AAO Mid-Year Forum supporting advocacy efforts and celebrating Dr. Whitney Stuard Sambhariya as the first AUPO-sponsored Advocacy Ambassador, alongside Jennifer Lindsey, Jennifer Larson, and Kimberly Crowder.

Great to see this important initiative in action and the continued engagement of our community in shaping the future of ophthalmology.

02/19/2026

In this episode of WPO Journey into Academia, hosts Thasarat and Cat explore the profound impact of mentorship in academic medicine, particularly in the field of neuro-ophthalmology. They are joined by Dr. Heather Moss and Dr. Kimberly Winges, who share their personal journeys, the evolution of their mentor-mentee relationship, and the importance of building trust and connection. The conversation highlights the bi-directional nature of mentorship, the lessons learned from each other, and the significance of visibility and networking in fostering meaningful professional relationships. Both guests also discuss their roles in promoting women's leadership in medicine and offer valuable advice for those seeking to cultivate mentorships in their own careers.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-good-company-the-power-of-academic-mentorship/id1774080230?i=1000749366421

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sf9iop9zepCGqtDUGjaOX?si=cc9cb92e096242a8

Takeaways:
• Mentorship is a powerful force in academic medicine.
• The mentor-mentee relationship is bi-directional.
• Building trust is essential for effective mentorship.
• Visibility and participation in committees enhance networking.
• Sponsorship is as important as mentorship.

01/24/2026

In this episode of Journey into Academia, we explore Vision to Impact, highlighting how powerful ideas can grow into lasting change in ophthalmology education and research. The hosts are joined by two inspiring leaders: Dr. Bonnie Henderson, clinical professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and founder of the Envision Summit, and Dr. Barbara Blodi, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin and longtime director of the Wisconsin Reading Center. Together, they share their personal journeys into academia, the challenges and opportunities women face in leadership, and how passion, mentorship, and teamwork can transform ideas into influential programs. From empowering women in eye care to advancing global retinal clinical trials and imaging innovation, this conversation offers meaningful insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking to make an impact in academic medicine.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-vision-to-impact/id1774080230?i=1000745902447

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1O9uZXE98Jr6GlGYOJqQcI?si=011340a01faf4790

Key Takeaways

• Career paths in academia are rarely linear; growth comes from passion and persistence.

• Big ideas create impact when action and leadership follow.

• Representation and access are essential for meaningful progress.

• Mentorship plays a critical role at every career stage.

• Fresh leadership keeps programs innovative and sustainable.

• There is never a perfect time; say yes to opportunity.

• Balance and boundaries are key to long-term fulfillment.

12/31/2025

Leadership in academic medicine can feel isolating—but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of the WPO Journey into Academia podcast, hosts Cat Burkat and Thasarat Vajaranant engage in a profound conversation with Dr. Sonal Tuli and Dr. Carla Siegfried about the importance of support systems for women in academic ophthalmology. They share their personal journeys, the challenges they faced, and how they built networks of mentorship and support. The discussion highlights the evolution of these relationships over time, the loneliness that can accompany leadership roles, and the significance of offering support to others during tough moments. The episode serves as a reminder that no one walks this road alone and that leadership is as much about giving support as it is about receiving it.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wpo-podcast-journey-into-academia/id1774080099?i=1000741876352

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYmJMqiALGAC340MnQa7f?si=742361a27a2e4979

Key Takeaways:

• Both speakers emphasize the importance of mentorship in their careers.
• Perseverance and grit are essential traits for success in academia.
• Building a network of mentors can significantly impact one's career trajectory.
• Support systems evolve and can come from peers as well as senior mentors.
• Communication and transparency are vital in leadership roles.
• Feeling lonely in leadership is common, but finding peer groups can help.
• Listening and being present for colleagues in distress is crucial.
• Women in leadership may hesitate to make tough decisions, but collaboration can ease this process.
• Offering help without overstepping boundaries is important in supporting others.
• Leadership involves both giving and receiving support.

11/05/2025

Join hosts Thasarat and Cat as they launch into Season 2 of the Women Professors of Ophthalmology podcast with an inspiring theme: redefining success. In this episode, they delve into the evolving definitions of success with two distinguished guests, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Hartnett and Dr. Christina Flaxel, both accomplished leaders in academic ophthalmology. With insightful conversations around their unique journeys into academia, listeners are offered an engaging exploration of how personal success can transform over time.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wpo-podcast-journey-into-academia/id1774080099?i=1000732898012

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1h07plNh3o8IGi1UqsTVPw?si=712c77809d4644f3

10/21/2025

AUPO Unveils a New Logo!

As AUPO continues to evolve and strengthen its role as the voice of academic ophthalmology, we’re proud to unveil our new logo – a modern design that embodies the collaboration and leadership that define our organization.

This refreshed look captures who we are today: a vibrant, forward-looking network of leaders in academic ophthalmology, united by a shared commitment to education, innovation, and excellence.

You’ll start seeing our new logo in upcoming communications and materials, with a redesigned AUPO website coming soon. The site is in its final stages of development, and we can’t wait to unveil it once all the finishing touches are complete.

For now, here’s a look at our evolution – our classic AUPO logo, side-by-side with the new design that will carry us into the future.

We look forward to introducing the full brand experience with the upcoming launch of our new website soon.

Here’s to a fresh look and a bright future for AUPO!

09/02/2025

Join us on September 8th for our upcoming AUPO WPO Webinar - Leading Through Shifting Tides: Thriving at Every Career Stage! Beneficial for the whole academic community, this webinar explores the evolving and continuous challenges and opportunities in academic medicine. Register here: shorturl.at/85XNE

07/30/2025

Join us tomorrow at 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET for the AUPO Program Directors Council Webinar - Don't Reinvent the Wheel: Resources for Surgical Teaching in Ophthalmology - led by PDC President Dr. Jennifer Lindsey! Register here: https://shorturl.at/2GpIJ

05/22/2025

The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) are jointly hosting a 90-minute webinar, Advice for the 2025-2026 Ophthalmology Residency Match Season, on Monday, June 2, 5:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM MT / 7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM ET. Please help spread the word to medical students and faculty who mentor medical students at your institution. Learn more: https://mailchi.mp/aao/aupo-aao-webinar-2025-26-match-advice-r2

05/17/2025

The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) are jointly hosting a 90-minute webinar, Advice for the 2025-2026 Ophthalmology Residency Match Season, on Monday, June 2, 5:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM MT / 7:00 PM CT / 8:00 PM ET. Please help spread the word to medical students and faculty who mentor medical students at your institution. Learn more: https://mailchi.mp/aao/aupo-aao-webinar-2025-26-match-advice-r1

AUPO

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