Dr. Evan 'Jake' Waxman has been selected as the 2017 AUPO/AAO Excellence in Medical Student Education award recipient. Jake is the director of medical student education and residency program director at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine/Eye and Ear Institute.
Jake has initiated many innovations in resident and medical student teaching, including the Guerrilla Eye Service (GES). He obtained funding for the portable ophthalmic equipment needed to allow medical students and residents to deliver eye care to patients who would not otherwise receive it. In creating the GES, Jake has provided experiential learning in overcoming the barriers to ophthalmic care. He has helped UPMC Eye Center fulfill its mission to teach ophthalmology to residents and teach ophthalmology to students, along with an opportunity for residents to teach students and for senior students to teach junior students. The GES has been an inspiration and model for similar programs across the country.
Jake embodies the qualities of commitment to resident and medical student education, dedication to ophthalmology training at all levels, engagement in program leadership and innovation in residency and medical student education at the local and national level. He is a consummate teacher, mentor and advisor for trainees.