Fellowship Directors: Craig J. Chaya, MD, Associate Professor, Medical Director, Global Outreach Division, and Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, Associate Professor, Vice-Chair of Clinical Affairs
Department Chair: Randall J Olson, MD, Distinguished Professor, CEO, John A. Moran Eye Center
Vice Chair of Education: Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Assistant Professor
Global Outreach Director: Lori McCoy
About the Global Ophthalmology Fellowship
Thank you for your interest in the John A. Moran Eye Center's Global Ophthalmology Fellowship, working with Craig J. Chaya, MD. A prior year in a United States fellowship program in cornea, glaucoma, retina, or uveitis is preferred but not required.
Experience
With the uncertainty surrounding travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moran Eye Center Global Outreach Division is developing a rich global ophthalmology fellowship experience focused on teleophthalmology and telementoring through our robust U.S.-based outreach initiatives. Fellows will gain expertise in small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) if desired.
Travel permitting, the fellow will spend from 6-12 months working onsite with international partners, expanding learning in public health, leadership development, clinical and surgical care in low-resource settings, and eyecare capacity building. Partner sites include the Aravind Eyecare System in India, the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Nepal, and Weill Bugando Medical Center and the University of Dodoma in Tanzania. Other core sites include Haiti, Mexico, Micronesia, Ghana, Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ethiopia.
Core to all fellow experiences are opportunities working with U.S.-based partners, including but not limited to the Navajo Nation and other Native American communities, and neighborhood clinics in Salt Lake County and Park City serving those experiencing homelessness, resettled refugees, and other underserved populations.
What Makes the Moran Eye Center Global Ophthalmology Fellowship Unique?
We strongly encourage and support each fellow's unique skillset, understanding the difference it can make when the fellow is both a teacher and a learner. As an academic center, we value our fellow's specialized interests in addition to surgical and clinical care, including public and global health.
Former Global Fellow Avni Shah, MD, shares her perspective on why she chose to complete her global fellowship at Moran:
"There are few academic eye centers in the U.S. that consider outreach as a core mission and probably none with more experience or commitment to the underserved than the Moran Eye Center. I knew I would have a solid platform here to begin my foray into the vast and varied fields of global ophthalmology, and I've been privileged to learn from some wonderful mentors along the way. Moran has helped me grow as a clinician and surgeon and has been endlessly supportive of my interests and goals during my fellowship."
Former Moran Global Fellow Sophia Fang, MD, MS, shares why she chose to do her global training at Moran:
"The Moran Global Outreach Fellowship is a great opportunity to build-your-own-adventure, sharing your unique skills and perspectives while learning from all of Moran's amazing long-standing outreach partners."
Requirements
As with all of our fellowships, the Global Fellowship is NOT a PGY5 ACGME accredited fellowship position, as is our residency program. We hire fellows as limited-term, faculty-appointed physicians who must be credentialed at our affiliated hospitals; therefore, only U.S. citizens who have completed USMLE exams in the U.S. and/or completed their residency training in the U.S. are eligible. Due to our affiliation with the Veterans Administration Hospital, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this employment.
Global Ophthalmology Fellowship Goals
A core goal is for each fellow to gain independence in leading and collaborating with partners in various contexts, as well as to build a global network with key individuals in foreign governments, NGOs, hospitals, and service organizations. Clinical and surgical practice during these periods will have a large degree of independence. Networking with overseas organizations, including the Himalayan Cataract Project, Orbis International, Tissue Banks International, and other international eye banks, is strongly encouraged.
Future Global Ophthalmology Fellows
Email Erika Ruiz (erika.ruiz@hsc.utah.edu) for an application as we are not currently on SF Match.
Questions?
If you have further questions, please contact Erika Ruiz (erika.ruiz@hsc.utah.edu).
Thank you for your interest in the Moran Global Fellowship Program.
Education Program Resources
News from Moran's Education Program
Past Education Focus Reports
- Education Focus 2022: Supporting and Connecting Trainees
- Education Focus 2021: The Next Chapter
- Education Focus 2020: Leading Change
- Education Focus 2019: Honing Surgical Expertise
- Education Focus 2018: One Step Ahead
- Education Focus 2016: Explore and Expand in a Top 10 Residency Program
- Education Focus 2015: The Best Kept Secret in Ophthalmology Education
Contact Us
University of Utah School of Medicine
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
John A. Moran Eye Center
Academic Office
65 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Phone: 801-585-3719
Fax: 801-581-5806
Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Vice Chair of Education
Phone: 801-581-2352
rachel.simpson@hsc.utah.edu
Sravanthi Vegunta, MD, Associate Program Director
Phone: 801-581-2352
srav.vegunta@hsc.utah.edu
Meghan Johnson, Programs Manager, Academics
Phone: 801-213-4044
meghan.johnson@hsc.utah.edu
Chandler Thompson, Executive Assistant
Phone: 801-581-3023
chandler.thompson@hsc.utah.edu
Barbara Korous, Director, Operations
801-585-6143
barbara.korous@hsc.utah.edu