Fellowship Directors: Craig J. Chaya, MD, Associate Professor, Medical Director, Global Outreach Division, and Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, Professor, Chair, John A. Moran Eye Center
Department Chair: Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, Professor, Chair, John A. Moran Eye Center
Vice Chair of Education: Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Assistant Professor
Global Outreach Director: Lori McCoy
Global Outreach Program Manager: Erika Ruiz
About the Global Ophthalmology Fellowship
Thank you for your interest in the John A. Moran Eye Center's Global Ophthalmology Fellowship. Our fellowship offers a unique opportunity to develop an individualized experience based on your background and our wide range of partner institutions. We strive to provide each fellow with the tools they need to continue to become leaders and make a meaningful impact in the field of global ophthalmology.
Please note: Prior training in a U.S. fellowship program in cornea, glaucoma, retina, or uveitis is preferred but not required.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: 2026 TBA
- Interview Period: 2026 TBA
- Notification of Acceptance: 2026 TBA
Global Ophthalmology Fellowship Experience and Goals
Our fellows spend anywhere from 6-12 months directly in the field working with Moran's Global Outreach Division partner institutions. Our goal is to empower our fellows to become leaders in global ophthalmology through education in public health, leadership development, clinical and surgical care in low-resource settings, and eyecare capacity building.
Our partner sites include the Aravind Eyecare System in India, the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Nepal, Instituto Mexicano Oftalmología in Mexico, Visualiza in Guatemala, and Bugando Medical Center and the University of Dodoma in Tanzania. Other core sites include the Federated States of Micronesia, Ghana, Bolivia, and Ethiopia.
Essential to our fellow experience is the opportunity to work with U.S.-based partners. This includes our long-standing work with the Navajo Nation and other Native American communities, our clinics in Salt Lake City and Park City serving unhoused and recently resettled refugee patients, and our work with other underserved communities in the region.
A core goal is for each fellow to gain independence in leading and collaborating with partners in various contexts and build a global network with key stakeholders 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 Cure Blindness Project, Tissue Banks International, and other international eye banks, is strongly encouraged.
Our traditional fellowship is a 6-12-month experience that can be completed after residency or subspecialty fellowship training. In general, we recommend completing the global fellowship after subspecialty training, as your specialized skillset can be further developed during the global fellowship term.
What Makes the Moran Eye Center Global Ophthalmology Fellowship Unique?
We strongly encourage and support each fellow's unique skillset, understanding their impact as learners and teachers. As an academic center, we value our fellows' specialized interests that go beyond providing surgical and clinical care. Our goal is to support our fellows in becoming leaders in global ophthalmology and public health.
Former global fellows share why they chose Moran for their training:
"When looking for a global ophthalmology fellowship, I desired a place that would be supportive, challenge my skill set, and give me the opportunity to make meaningful relationships here and abroad. This year stretched my capacity as a learner and teacher in extraordinary ways. Moran has exceeded my expectations beyond what I could have imagined, and I'm thankful to be walking away with family, both near and far."
"One word: the people. Through Moran Global Outreach, I have had the opportunity to grow alongside enthusiastic and inspiring leaders in global ophthalmology in the U.S. and globally through our partner organizations. This fellowship has not only been one of the best years of my academic career, but it has also led to tremendous personal and professional growth. One of the best feelings this year was the transformation with partner organizations from total strangers to a family that works together to restore sight for our patients. The work that the Moran Eye Center achieves each year is incredible, and the people are what make it that much more special!"
"The Moran Global Ophthalmology Fellowship was a true 'cherry on top' to the end of my training. Having the chance to visit multiple institutions abroad and engage in cross-cultural exchanges in ophthalmology was incredible. I had the opportunity to teach neuro-ophthalmology while learning important lessons from partner institutions, including how to be resourceful, surgical techniques, and effective community outreach. I built friendships with faculty and trainees who I continue to be in touch with to this day. The fellowship was incredibly fulfilling and humbling, and I’m sincerely thankful to Moran for this opportunity. I couldn’t recommend it more for those interested in global ophthalmology!
"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."
"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."
Fellowship Requirements and Eligibility Information
Thank you for your interest in the John A. Moran Eye Center’s Global Ophthalmology Fellowship.
This 6-to-12-month, non-ACGME-accredited fellowship provides immersive training in global eye care delivery and public health leadership.
- Completed Fellowship Application
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Personal Statement
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Copy of U.S. Medical License
- USMLE Score Reports
- Copy of Passport (for international travel coordination)
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain a Utah medical license to participate in the fellowship program.
“The University of Utah is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educator. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Veteran’s preference. Reasonable accommodations provided. For additional information: visit www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-106.html.
"The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students. The University of Utah Health Sciences Center is a patient-focused center distinguished by collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. The University of Utah HSC values candidates who are committed to fostering and furthering the culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, accountability, diversity, integrity, quality, and trust that is integral to the mission of the University of Utah Health Sciences Center.”
To Apply
For an application form, email Erika Ruiz, global outreach program manager, at erika.ruiz@hsc.utah.edu.
To apply, please email the application form and required documents to erika.ruiz@hsc.utah.edu.
Questions?
If you have further questions, please contact Erika Ruiz at erika.ruiz@hsc.utah.edu.
Thank you for your interest in the Moran Global Fellowship Program. We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact Us
Senior Medical Director
Craig J. Chaya, MD
craig.chaya@hsc.utah.edu
801-213-4152
Director
Lori McCoy
lori.mccoy@utah.edu
801-213-3410
Program Manager
Erika Ruiz
erika.ruiz@hsc.utah.edu
801-587-1829
Executive Assistant, Outreach Coordinator
Pamela Velasquez
pamela.velasquez@hsc.utah.edu
801-213-7438