Anju Goyal, M.D., professor of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has received the 2023 Excellence in Medical Student Education Award from the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology.

The award, given to one person annually, recognizes a consummate teacher, mentor or advisor for commitment to medical student education, dedication to the medical student education training process, active engagement in medical student education program leadership, innovation in and advancement of medical student education in Ophthalmology at the regional or national level.

“I feel very thankful and honored to receive this award. I feel so thankful to contribute to the education of our future generation of physicians, so that they can thrive and provide excellent care to the public and patients we serve,” said Dr. Goyal, who joined the WSU faculty in 2005. “I hope to inspire students to realize their own inherent talents, and to light a path of encouragement that they can make valuable contributions with their insights as they grow in their careers and learning. This award is especially meaningful because it values local and national contributions to education; so much of this is from what I learned from my training and taking care of patients as part of Wayne State University. I am so thankful to work with so many dedicated and talented students and colleagues, and for the privilege of serving our Detroit community. I could not do this work without the support of our amazing community and am very thankful to everyone.”

Dr. Goyal received the recognition at the AUPO annual meeting in February.

She also serves as director of Medical Student Education at the Kresge Eye Institute, where she completed an Ophthalmology residency and Glaucoma fellowship training. She became director of the Ophthalmology clinical elective for WSU medical students in 2011.

Dr. Goyal is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and the Wayne State University School of Medicine Alumni Board of Governors. She received the School of Medicine’s Excellence in Clinical Science Teaching Award and College Teaching Award, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Secretariat Award and Distinguished Service Award, the Lawrence M. Weiner, M.D. Award for teaching and service, the Kresge Eye Institute’s Lawrence Stocker, M.D., Award for Compassionate Medicine,  the Kresge Eye Institute’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and the AAO-AUPO Award for Excellence in Medical Education.