#  Matthew Gardiner, MD, Honored for His Contributions to Education 

 





July 10, 2024

 

 

   ![Matthew Gardiner Education Award](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/eye/files/fph05199.jpg?itok=jzTBpIXM) 

 

 [Matthew F. Gardiner, MD](/matthewgardiner), Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, is the 2024 recipient of the Simmons Lessell Excellence in Education Award.Presented during our clinical graduation ceremony on June 20, the award recognizes faculty who have made—and continue to make—sustained and profound contributions to education—just like Dr. Simmons Lessell. A key clinical and educational leader in the Harvard Department of Ophthalmology for over 30 years, Dr. Lessell passed away in May 2016.

 An exceptional clinician, teacher, and mentor, Dr. Gardiner serves as the Associate Chief for Clinical Affairs in Ophthalmology, Associate Director of Quality for Ophthalmology, and Director of the Ophthalmology Emergency, Consult, and Hospitalist Services at Mass Eye and Ear.

 He earned his BA in Biology at Haverford College and went on to the University of Pennsylvania to complete his medical degree. Dr. Gardiner stayed on at the University of Pennsylvania where he completed two residencies; first in internal medicine and then in ophthalmology. He then joined us at Mass Eye and Ear for an anterior segment clinical fellowship. In 2002, he joined the faculty as an Instructor and a member of the Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service at Mass Eye and Ear. In 2013, he was promoted to Assistant Professor, and in 2022 he was promoted to Associate Professor.

 Dr. Gardiner has led our busy and evolving Ophthalmology Emergency Department since 2003. In 2017, he founded our pioneering Ophthalmology Hospitalist Service, to see emergency department patients and inpatient consults, and provide teaching opportunities. The service improves consistency and continuity of care across Mass General Brigham Hospitals, and also provides important teaching and supervision for residents. In the Emergency Department, Dr. Gardiner is a vital mentor and resource for our residents, clinical fellows, and medical students. He is often one of the first faculty members that residents get to know well. And he is known to generations of residents who trained with him as an excellent listener with a calming demeanor—always willing to take a minute to give advice and offer help.

 Dr. Gardiner has been an important surgical teacher since joining the faculty. His calm, generous, and thoughtful approach is highly valued, and he is a mentor to faculty as well as trainees. He is admired by everyone, and his advice and input is highly valued.

 Throughout his career, Dr. Gardiner has been recognized with many awards and honors, including the 2005 and 2011 Harvard Ophthalmology Teacher of the Year Award, the 2010 Mass Eye and Ear Service Award, and the 2021 Harvard Ophthalmology Excellence in Mentoring Award. He was also nominated for the 2019 and 2021 Shirley Driscoll Dean's Leadership Award for the Enhancement of Women's Careers.

 "Matt is a superb teacher and mentor for trainees and faculty at Harvard Ophthalmology and beyond," said Chair Joan W. Miller, MD. "He is an inspirational role model in our department, and a kind, generous, and wonderful person."



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Awards ](/category/awards)
- [ Faculty ](/news-categories/faculty)
 
 

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