#  2020 Annual and Alumni Virtual Meeting  

 





July 01, 2020

 

 

   ![innovation and adaptation during covid-19 and beyond](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/eye/files/2020amarbannerfinal.jpg?itok=pTufeCNd) 

 

 On June 13, Harvard Ophthalmology hosted a successful reimagined Annual and Alumni Virtual Meeting with nearly 300 faculty and alumni attendees. With a central theme of I*nnovation and Adaptation During COVID-19 and Beyond*, the event focused on the department's creative response to the pandemic and how our mission will be met going forward.

###  View Recordings of the Talks



 

 The two-hour meeting opened with a Department Update from Harvard Ophthalmology Chair [Joan W. Miller, MD](/joanmiller), who focused on our three mission areas of clinical care, research, and education.



 

 [James Chodosh, MD, MPH](/jameschodosh), Associate Director of the Harvard Ophthalmology Infectious Disease Institute, shared insight on the virology of COVID-19 and its effects on public health.



 

 [Matthew F. Gardiner, MD](/matthewgardiner), director of Ophthalmology Emergency, Consult, and Hospitalist Services at Mass. Eye and Ear, discussed the hospital's clinical preparation and adaptation during the pandemic.



 

 Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology [Ankoor S. Shah, MD, PhD](/ankoorshah), shared how virtual and hybrid visits are helping clinicians meet patient care needs, while still following social distancing protocols.



 

 Harvard Ophthalmology Residency Program Director [Alice Lorch, MD, MPH](/alicelorch), highlighted the innovative and collaborative initiatives the department has led in ophthalmology education, including virtual surgical training curriculum that has been shared with academic programs across the nation.



 

 [Luk Vandenberghe, PhD](/lukvandenberghe), the Grousbeck Family Chair in Gene Therapy at Mass. Eye and Ear, shared his progress on developing an exciting and unique gene-based vaccine program called AAVCOVID.

 The event closed with a keynote Q&A discussion with alumnus Robin Cook (class of 1975), bestselling author of more than 35 medical thrillers, including *Pandemic*, *Outbreak,* and *Contagion*.



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Alumni ](/news-categories/alumni)
- [ Events ](/news-categories/events)
- [ Faculty ](/news-categories/faculty)
- [ Joan W. Miller, MD ](/news-categories/joanmiller)
- [ Ankoor Shah, MD, PhD ](/news-categories/ankoorshah)
- [ Luk Vandenberghe, PhD ](/news-categories/lukvandenberghe)
 
 

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