University of California Davis Health Program

Ophthalmology Analyst Verified · Aug 31, 2026

University of California Davis Health Program

University of California Davis Health Program is a residency program specializing in Ophthalmology, located in Sacramento, California, directed by Nandini Gandhi, MD and coordinated by Deanna Fritz.. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or (916) 734-6086. IMGPrep analysts have verified and compiled this program’s IMG acceptance rate, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 score requirements, Visa Sponsorship Policy, graduation year cutoff, and ECFMG certificate requirements — available to IMGPrep subscribers.

Program Identity & Fit

UC Davis is a university-based, academic ophthalmology program built around early and progressive surgical autonomy, with PGY-2 residents already performing 10-20 primary cataract surgeries and senior residents running independent clinics across two distinct VA sites (Mather and Martinez) as well as a Level 1 trauma consult service. The program's research infrastructure is unusually interdisciplinary, leveraging the Center for Vision Science, the UC Davis Veterinary School, and a primate center to support translational and basic-science collaboration beyond typical clinical ophthalmology research, culminating in a resident-presented annual Research Symposium. Curriculum structure emphasizes rotation-based subspecialty exposure (cornea, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, pediatrics, vitreoretinal) with graduated responsibility and dedicated wet-lab/simulator training preceding OR entry, reflecting a structured, technique-focused approach to surgical readiness. Graduates pursue a mix of private practice, industry, and academic ophthalmology, indicating the program values well-rounded clinical-surgical competence over funneling into a single career pathway.

Who it fits

An applicant who has built a track record of hands-on surgical or procedural experience alongside interdisciplinary/translational research (particularly at the basic-science or vision-science interface) and who is drawn to early autonomy in a structured, multi-site training environment rather than a narrowly fellowship-pipeline program.

Research intensity

Strong - Research is embedded through dedicated resident projects, an annual symposium, and unique cross-school translational infrastructure, though not a mandatory scholarly-track requirement for all residents.

Career orientation

Mixed - Community Practice, Academic Medicine, Fellowship

Choose Specialty / Choose Another Program