Teresa Chen, MD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School (HMS), was selected to receive the prestigious HMS 2017 A. Clifford Barger Excellence in Mentoring Award. This award recognizes faculty members who develop quality mentoring relationships in clinical medicine and research settings. This is one of three Excellence in Mentoring Awards established by the Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership at HMS. This year, only 16 out of more than 18,000 HMS faculty members will be recognized with a Mentoring Award. “Teaching the next generation of ophthalmologists is a critical element of our tripartite mission. Dr. Chen excels as an educator and mentor, and it is fitting that her work is being recognized with this prestigious award,” said Joan W. Miller, MD, Chair of Harvard Ophthalmology.
Dr. Chen joined the faculty in 1998 after she completed a fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. She focuses her research on three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the eye using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) and swept source imaging. Along with collaborators at Massachusetts General Hospital, her research group was the first to image the human eye in vivo with video rate SDOCT, a widely used imaging modality for the care of glaucoma patients. With SDOCT, ultra-high resolution 3D video imaging of the optic nerve and the retina is now possible. She also has served as the Chief Quality Officer at Mass. Eye and Ear since 2008.
Dr. Chen’s dedication to mentoring and education was recognized with nominations for HMS Excellence in Mentoring Awards in 2008 and 2014. She was a part of the 2008 American Medical Association Women Physicians Congress - Physician Mentor Recognition Program and was also nominated in 2012 for the Partners Outstanding Clinical Teacher Award.
A celebration to honor the Excellence in Mentoring Award recipients will be held at Harvard Medical School on Monday, June 12, 2017 from 4:00-6:00pm in the Carl Walter Amphitheater, Tosteson Medical Education Center, Harvard Medical School. An informal reception will immediately follow the Ceremony. This will be a very special afternoon, and colleagues, mentees, staff, and friends are encouraged to attend.