Department of Ophthalmology - Academic Growth and Faculty Professional Development

Educating tomorrow's generation - caring for today's

Vision

KU Eye will be acknowledged as the most highly regarded center for eye care in the Heart of America and be recognized as among the top tier of the most respected centers in the nation.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of KU Eye to establish and maintain a world-class eye care center that provides exceptional patient care, delivers the most advanced graduate and postgraduate medical education and conducts innovative basic and clinical research.

Values

KU Eye physicians and staff will:

Provide patients the highest quality eye care within a compassionate atmosphere.

Engage in outreach through education and collaboration to promote excellence in eye care throughout our wider community.

Work closely in consultation and support of the physicians and staff of the University of Kansas Hospital and Medical Center, University of Kansas Physicians and our community.

Perform cutting-edge, basic, clinical and applied research in ophthalmology and vision science.

Inspire students, residents and fellows to adopt the core values and support the mission of KU Eye.

Education: Faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology participate in the clinical and surgical education of medical students taking the elective ophthalmology rotations.  In preparation for that role, faculty prepare both intramural and extramural didactic lectures for residents and medical students at the University of Kansas, but also at national meetings (the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, regional meetings (the combined meeting of the state ophthalmology societies of Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma), and local meetings (the Kansas EyeCon and the Kansas City Society of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology).  Preparation for teaching activities occurs through the University’s programmed on-line instruction and through educational activities purchased by the department for faculty, in addition to annual continuing medical education activities required for all physicians.  Faculty personally teach and mentor medical students in the department’s clinic and operating room, observing and instructing students in clinical encounters with actual patients.  In all such activities, medical student evaluations of faculty guide and inform faculty teaching activities, and are incorporated into departmental faculty evaluations.  Finally, faculty, particularly the Chair and the Residency Program Director, personally advise and guide medical students interested in applying for ophthalmology residency training programs, advising and mentoring the students in the application process, and assisting with letters of recommendation.

Each year Ophthalmology Residents select a faculty member as Teacher of the Year and present their award at Resident Graduation. Pictured above (left to right) are 2010 KU Eye Graduates Drs. Michael Floyd, Miranda Bishara and Leila Kump with R.C. Andrew Symons, MD, winner of the 2010 Teacher of the Year Award.

The School of Medicine Office of Professional Development, the Office of Medical Education, and the Faculty Leadership Academy provide seminars, workshops, retreats, and other resources that are designed to improved teaching skills and advice on professional development.

An overview of the School of Medicine Mentoring Program can be found here.

The Department of Ophthalmology's Promotions, Mentoring and Tenure Committee is made up of three faculty members: William Godfrey, MD, Jeff Radel, Ph.D. and Thomas Whittaker, MD.