Stipend rates

A total of 12 stipend checks are issued each academic year, and trainees are encouraged to participate in the direct deposit program.  Stipend rates below are guaranteed for 2024-2025 academic year.

Post Graduate Year 1 - $64,009 

Post Graduate Year 2 - $65,774 

Post Graduate Year 3 - $67,536 

Leave

The boards of individual specialties may have specific requirements for the amount of time spent in a training program. If an extended leave of absence, for any reason, is necessary, the trainee should discuss the effect of the leave on the requirements and duration of the training program.

Leave: Three weeks (15 scheduled workdays) free of clinical or fellowship duties, per academic year. Leave requests must receive approval in advance from the program director, and trainees should check with the program director regarding program-specific policies. Leave requests will not be approved during the first week of July or last week of June. The number of leave days will be prorated if the GME trainee's start date is other than July 1.

Sick Leave: Sick leave may be authorized with full pay and benefits for a period not to exceed four weeks. Extended leaves require documentation from the treating physician. The number of sick days will be prorated if the GME trainee's start date is other than July 1.

Maternity Leave: Leave is provided through a combination of sick leave and vacation leave. 

Paternity/Adoption Leave: Leave is provided through the use of vacation leave.

Holidays: Graduate Medical Education trainees are responsible for the clinical care of the patients within the educational program. To this end, trainees are not afforded the standard institutional holidays. The education committee of each individual training program has a set policy, which guides the provision of national, state and religious holidays.

Educational Leave: Subject to approval by the program director.

Trainee benefits

Dental Insurance: A dental insurance policy is available to trainees. The premium is the responsibility of the trainee.

Health Insurance: Trainees are provided group health insurance. The institution offers several policy options, and the trainees are covered for the lowest premium option at no cost. If the trainee chooses a more expensive policy or wishes to add a spouse or dependent children, the cost of the coverage selected will be the responsibility of the GME trainee.

Life Insurance: GME trainees receive one times their base stipend in group term life insurance at no cost. Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance is available at full cost to the GME trainee.

Long-Term Disability Insurance: EVMS provides group long-term disability insurance at no cost to the GME trainee. Once approved by the insurance carrier, the benefit is 60% of monthly base stipend after a 6-month waiting period. Supplemental long-term disability is available at full cost to the GME trainee.

Professional Liability Insurance: The institution provides professional liability insurance covering medical activities clearly defined within the scope of the training program at no cost to the trainee. Activities outside the program are not covered by the profession liability insurance provided to trainees of Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Retirement: Eastern Virginia Medical School offers numerous retirement plan options. GME trainees are eligible to start their own contributions at any time. GME trainees are not eligible for company contributions.

  • TIAA currently offers numerous equity funds, money market accounts and a fixed rate of return fund.

Short-Term Disability Insurance: EVMS provides group short-term disability at no cost to the GME trainee. Once approved, the benefit provides 100% of monthly base stipend after a 14-day elimination period, and all paid leave has been exhausted.

Vision: Voluntary vision coverage is available to GME trainees. The cost of the coverage selected will be the responsibility of the GME trainee.

Benefit rates and enrollment

Medical, dental and vision insurance rates are subject to change on July 1. Any changes in rates will be reflected in June stipend checks.

Detailed information on all of the EVMS benefit offerings is available for viewing at benedetails.com. Login credentials are provided by your program or by contacting Human Resources.

EVMS has negotiated discounts for faculty, staff and trainees. Current residents and fellows can access a list of these discounts in myPortal.

Additional benefits for Ophthalmology residents

  • All equipment provided at each hospital (lenses, indirect ophthalmoscopes, etc.)
  • Paid membership to the Virginia Society of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
  • Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, year 3, most expenses paid
  • Expenses paid for any resident who presents an original research project at a conference
  • One week of paid leave in year 3 for employment interviews
  • One week Office Practice Management Course, year 2
  • BSCS Book series
  • Multiple Courses and Conference Oppurtunities (examples below)
    • Illinois Eye Course, year 1
    • Wills Review Course, year 3
    • Cherry Blossom Course, Washington DC
    • Various Wetlab Courses
    • Cataract Course, year 3