This spotlight series highlights the individuals behind the white coats, their journeys, passions, and the impact they’re making in the field of medicine. Today, we highlight Howard Chen, MD.
Graduating Resident: Howard Chen, MD
What are your plans for the future?
Cataract and refractive surgery fellowship.
Why did you choose Ophthalmology/WashU Medicine?
I chose WashU because of the people and supportive culture.
What advice would you give to the new residents?
Everyone makes mistakes. Mistakes are not failures but opportunities for learning and growth.
Favorite memory of your residency?
Attending the Alcon course and AAO with my co-residents.
How do you think you’ve grown since starting this residency?
I’ve developed the ability to assess complex situations, prioritize effectively, and make sound clinical judgments under pressure.
Favorite thing about living in St. Louis?
Forest Park is great!
Favorite service and why?
Cornea, because of interesting pathology and elegant surgeries.
Favorite teacher and why?
Dr. Walia. I appreciate the amount of extensive hands-on experience in the operating room and allowing me to take an active role during surgical procedures.
What did you learn in your residency that impacted you the most?
Being a good physician isn’t just about medical knowledge—it’s about understanding your own limits, asking for help when needed, and taking care of yourself so you can care for others effectively.
About WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.