Dear WINners,
If you are in academics, have an active interest in getting promoted, and are seeking guidance and a network of well-connected full professors, please consider applying for the Women Professors of Ophthalmology Network Mentorship program for this upcoming year. I have been involved since its inception in 2021 and was part of the first class of mentees, and have played a mentor-mentee liaison since then, as it evolved to be housed under AUPO. Many of your peers have joined and benefitted from this enhanced national academic network-Sangeeta, Nurhan, Amanda, and several others. I believe this is primarily for those who went through ophthalmology residency, but there are no hard rules so feel free to apply regardless.
Hope you are all having a great summer!
Kim
Begin forwarded message:
From: Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology <aupo@aao.org>
Subject: Women Professors of Ophthalmology (WPO) 2025-2026 Call for Mentees
Date: July 14, 2025 at 12:33:35 PM PDT
Reply-To: Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology <aupo@aao.org>
| | Women Professors of Ophthalmology (WPO)
2025–2026 Call for Mentee Applications
Submission Deadline August 1
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Dear Colleague,
The mission of the Women Professors of Ophthalmology (WPO) is to foster the professional growth and advancement of women through the creation of a non-gender-specific peer mentoring network of Professors and supporters in our field, to enhance the professional development and equity of women in academic ophthalmology during all phases of their career.
The WPO initiative is intended to help academic ophthalmologists and vision scientists connect and build relationships to guide and advance their careers in academia through a variety of platforms including a peer mentorship program, podcasts, webinars, and live networking events.
We are writing to share an opportunity for junior faculty (rank instructor, assistant professor, and associate professor) to apply to be a part of our next WPO-net cohort. This is a virtual career networking program led by women in academic ophthalmology who have achieved full professor rank. The dates of the sessions are:
Thursdays at 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST / 5:00 PM PST for 90 minutes:- Sept 18, 2025 – Developmental Network Kick Off - Led by Rukhsana Mirza, MD
- Oct 9, 2025 – Mentee Presentations of Developmental Network Maps (with prior cohorts)
- Nov 20, 2025 – "Next Steps" (with prior cohorts)
- Jan 15, 2026 – CV Review & Biosketches - Led by Christina Flaxel, MD and Kim Winges, MD
- Feb 26, 2026 – Leadership - Led by Misha Syed, MD
- April 2, 2026 – Research - Led by Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD and Susan Culican, MD, PhD
- May 14, 2026 – Reflections and Reciprocity Exercise
All seven sessions above are required for successful completion. Please consider applying for another year if your current schedule is not clear for the noted dates and times.
In addition, the following live events and webinars are planned:- Sept 8, 2025 – WPO Webinar - Open to All Public
- Oct 17, 2025 – Reception at AAO Annual Meeting, Orlando - Rosen Plaza Hotel
- Feb 2026 – Reception at AUPO Annual Meeting, San Diego - Hilton San Diego Bayfront
If you are interested in applying to this program, please complete the form by August 1. Please note the application form requires including a letter of support from your Department Chair.
Our yearly webinar and website are open to all. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to connecting with you. |
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