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Among other qualities, the John A. Moran Eye Center’s is known for superb training that
provides more surgical experience than the national average and a hands-on curriculum that goes beyond traditional didactic teaching.

Newly appointed Vice-Chair of Education Rachel G. Simpson, MD, aims to build on that reputation.

“We have some exciting new initiatives in the works, and we’re looking forward to even more positive growth,” says Simpson.

Team Approach to New Curriculum

Former Moran resident Katherine Hu, MD, has joined the faculty and is now the surgical curriculum lead for the Program Evaluation Committee (PEC). Hu was part of the Moran Ophthalmology Learning Experience Committee, headed by Simpson, which rolled out a new, interactive curriculum in 2020.

Hu’s surgical curriculum team is revamping the four-year comprehensive surgical curriculum, including suturing, strabismus procedures, and cornea and cataract surgeries.

The new curriculum will advance in complexity year by year. “The goal is to be more intentional, providing enhanced mentorship with lots of hands-on learning,” says Simpson. “The curriculum will build on skills through all four years of residency, so the first-year residents are getting basic suturing lessons while the more experienced chief residents are getting more complex cataract surgery
lessons. We will also emphasize surgical video reviews, one of the teaching legacies left by Moran’s late Alan Crandall, MD.”

Theresa Long, MD, director of Ophthalmology Consult Services, also serves on the PEC. Now in her second year as the institution’s first academic hospitalist, Long works one-on-one with residents, assessing and managing clinically complex, hospitalized patients experiencing a range of conditions.

“We’ll also be welcoming additional, nationally regarded adjunct faculty to assist with the educational programs soon,” says Simpson. “Each will be focused on a specific critical aspect of training, including clinical care, community outreach, and research.”