Excellent Dynamic Training & Surgical Experience
For more than a quarter-century, the ophthalmology program at University of Utah Health's School of Medicine has offered excellent training and extensive surgical experience.
Each year, faculty from the John A. Moran Eye Center provide ophthalmology training to approximately 50-60 medical students from the University of Utah, medical schools from all over the country, and visiting residents annually. We provide education as well to four interns, 12 residents, up to 14 fellows, and many international observers.
As the only medical school in the Mountain West, University of Utah Health plays an important role in training the region’s next generation of physicians and ophthalmologists.
In the Top 10 Ophthalmology Education Programs Nationally
More than 700 applications are received each year for the center's highly competitive residency and fellowship positions.
We are consistently ranked as one of the top ophthalmology education programs in the country. Doximity in 2024 ranked Moran at No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the West for residency education. U.S. News & World Report in 2024 ranked the Moran Eye Center among the nation’s Top 10 eye centers for the third year running.
Our faculty covers all subspecialty areas of ophthalmology. Our clinician educators have very active practices and residents have access to all patients in our system.
The Moran Eye Center residency program is fully accredited by the ACGME. With the opening of a 210,000-square-foot Moran Eye Center in 2006, our residents are learning hands-on in a state-of-the-art facility that is truly one of the great eye centers in the world.
Facilities
We operate our educational programs in conjunction with the University of Utah Hospital and the Salt Lake Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Additional training is conducted at Primary Children’s Hospital. All fellowships have been designed to mesh perfectly with our residency in a way that enhances the entire experience.
Vision and Mission Statement
Vision
The John A. Moran Eye Center is committed to the goal that no person with a blinding condition, eye disease, or visual impairment should be without hope, understanding, and treatment.
Mission
The John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah believes that every person regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, ability, socioeconomic status, veteran status, size, national origin, primary language, and religion deserves and has the right to compassionate, quality care.
We dedicate ourselves to serving patients and the greater public health community in an anti-discriminatory environment by creating a broad-based organization focused on clinical care, caregiver education, and basic and translational research.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, we encourage learning from our patients, and with that knowledge, we strive to create effective educational and research programs to develop new, widely available treatments for diseases shared by patients and the global health community.
News from Moran's Education Program
No. 1 Ranking for Residency Program
Doximity’s 2024-2025 Residency Navigator has ranked the Moran Eye Center's residency program No. 1 in the West and No. 6 nationwide.
Goals for a Top 10 Residency Program
Enhancing hands-on surgical training and the interactive classroom experience is a top goal for Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Moran's new vice-chair of education.
Moran Adds Two New Fellowships
Oculoplastic surgeon Robert Kersten, MD, FACS, FASOPRS, directs an American Society of Oculofacial Plastic Surgery (ASOPRS)-approved fellowship, while retinal specialist Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg, MD, oversees the new medical retina fellowship.
New ARCS Scholars Named
The Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation of Utah is supporting two incoming Moran Eye Center residents with research scholarships for 2024-2025.
New Ophthalmic Hospitalist Position Combines Teaching Moments with Enhanced Patient Care
As the Moran Eye Center’s first ophthalmic hospitalist, Theresa Long, MD, is breaking new ground in resident education and patient care.
Moran Introduces Taco Tuesdays
Moran recently launched Training a Complete Ophthalmologist (TACO), a monthly session—complete with tacos— focused on what it takes to become leaders in ophthalmology.
Learn More About Our Residency Program
Education FOCUS Annual Reports
Past Education Focus Reports
- Education Focus 2023: Making the Rounds with Our Ophthalmic Hospitalist
- 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
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Education Focus 2015: The Best Kept Secret in Ophthalmology Education
Upcoming Grand Rounds
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 Residency 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