Biographical summary
John J. Chen, M.D., Ph.D., is a neuro-ophthalmologist. He provides care for patients with visual disorders related to neurological causes and works closely with other specialties, including neurology, rheumatology, and neurosurgery.
His clinical and research focus includes optic neuritis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and retinal imaging. He serves as the Neuro-ophthalmology fellowship director. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and abstracts. He is an active member of the American Board of Ophthalmology and provides several courses at the annual American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.
Dr. Chen is also co-chair of the Upper Midwest Neuro-Ophthalmology Group, member of the American Eye Study Club and American Ophthalmology Society, serves on the board and several committees for the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, and was former President of the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology. He has received multiple clinical, educational, and academic awards, including Best Teacher of the Year in Ophthalmology four times at the Mayo Clinic and was the recipient of the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator Award.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Neuro-Ophthalmology
- Ischemic optic neuropathy
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension/Pseudotumor cerebri
- Optic neuritis
- Neuromyelitis optica
- Cataract surgery
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2014
Fellow - Neuro-ophthalmologyDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa
- 2013
Resident - OphthalmologyDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa
- 2010
InternshipCarilion Clinic
- 2009
MD/PhD - Doctor of MedicineSchool of Medicine, University of Virginia
- 2007
Ph.D. - NeuroscienceUniversity of Virginia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
- 2001
BA - Biology and Cognitive Science: Graduated with highest distinctionCollege of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2014
OphthalmologyAmerican Board of Ophthalmology
Awards and honors
- 2024
Real World Ophthalmology Inspiring Academic Leader AwardReal World Ophthalmology
- 2024
2024 Mayo Fellows' Association Ophthalmology Teacher of the Year AwardMayo Clinic
- 2024
Hall of Fame EducatorsMayo Clinic
- 2023
Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator Award for 2023Mayo Clinic
- 2023
2023 Mayo Fellows' Association Ophthalmology Teacher of the Year AwardMayo Clinic
- 2022
Minnesota Monthly’s 2022 Top DoctorsMinnesota Monthly
- 2021
AUPO Academic Leadership Development ProgramAssociation of University Professors of Ophthalmology
- 2020
2020 Mayo Fellows' Association Ophthalmology Teacher of the Year AwardMayo Clinic
- 2019
Outstanding CourseMayo Clinic
- 2019
AAO Leadership Development Program (nominated by NANOS)American Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2018
Academy of Educational Excellence FellowMayo Clinic Rochester
- 2018
Leonard and Mary Lou Hoeft Career Development Award in Ophthalmology ResearchMayo Clinic
- 2018
NANOS FellowNorth America Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2017
Best Original Paper Presentation for Neuro-OphthalmologyAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2017
Achievement AwardAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2017
Nominated for Best Mentor Award by Internal MedicineMayo Clinic Rochester Hospitals
- 2017
Co-chair of the Walsh SymposiumNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2016
2016 Mayo Fellows’ Association Ophthalmology Teacher of the Year AwardMayo Clinic Rochester Hospitals
- 2016
Outstanding Reviewer StatusAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Journal
- 2015
Commemorative Medal in Honor of the 2015 MSGME CentennialRochester, MN, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
- 2014
Fellow Teaching AwardUniversity of Iowa
- 2013
Residency Teaching AwardUniversity of Iowa
- 2013
Heed Fellowship AwardHeed Foundation
- 2012
Leinfelder Research AwardUniversity of Iowa
- 2011
Honorable Mention for Leinfelder Research AwardUniversity of Iowa
- 2011
Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Residents RetreatHeed Foundation
- 2009
ARVO Travel Grant AwardNational Eye Institute - National Institutes of Health
- 2005
First Prize - Medical School Research SymposiumUniversity of Virginia
- 2001
Phi Beta Kappa National Honor SocietyUniversity of Virginia
- 2001
First Prize - Katz Symposium for Undergraduate ResearchUniversity of Virginia
- 2001
Graduated with Highest DistinctionUniversity of Virginia
- 2001
Dean's Merit FellowshipUniversity of Virginia
- 1998
Phi Eta Sigma National Honor SocietyUniversity of Virginia
- 1997
ValedictorianOsbourn Park High School
- 1997
Dean's ListUniversity of Virginia
Professional memberships
- 2024 - present
SecretaryNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2023 - present
MemberAmerican Ophthalmological Society
- 2022 - present
ChairNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Fellowship Committee
- 2021 - present
MemberAmerican Eye Study Club
- 2021 - 2022
PresidentBoard of Directors, Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2021 - present
Board MemberNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2021 - present
Task Force MemberAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2021 - present
Committee MemberResearch Committee, Department of Ophthalmology
- 2020 - present
Chair/Co-ChairNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Outcome Measures Committee
- 2020 - present
Vice ChairNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society New Knowledge in N-O Committee
- 2020 - 2021
President ElectBoard of Directors, Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2020 - present
Committee MemberNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Pipeline Task Force Team
- 2019 - present
Fellowship Training Program DirectorNeuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship
- 2019 - present
Committee MemberNANOS Fellowship committee
- 2019 - 2020
TreasurerMinnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2019 - present
Committee MemberAnnual Meeting, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2019 - present
Commiittee MemberMayo Clinic Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology
- 2019 - present
Oral Board ExaminerOral Board Examiner, American Board of Ophthalmology
- 2018 - present
Committee MemberBasic and Clinical Science Course, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2018 - present
Committee MemberScientific Program Committee, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2018 - present
FellowNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2017 - 2022
Committee MemberAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology ONE Network Neuro-Ophthalmology Committee
- 2017 - 2018
Communications ChampionMinnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2017 - present
ChairmanUpper Midwest Neuro-Ophthalmology Group
- 2016 - present
Vice ChairDepartment of Ophthalmology Equipment Committee
- 2016 - present
MemberAsia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2016 - present
Committee MemberAAO Committee Member, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2016 - present
Committee MemberFrank B. Walsh Sessions, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2016 - present
Board MemberMinnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2015 - present
Core Faculty MemberDepartment of Ophthalmology
- 2015 - present
ChairmanDepartment of Ophthalmology Residency Clinical Competency Committee
- 2015 - present
MemberDepartment of Ophthalmology Clinical Practice Committee
- 2015 - 2020
Associate Residency DirectorDepartment of Ophthalmology
- 2015 - present
MemberMinnesota Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2015 - present
MemberAssociation of University Professors of Ophthalmology
- 2014 - present
MemberDepartment of Ophthalmology Education Committee
- 2014 - present
MemberSociety of Heed Fellows, Heed Foundation
- 2014 - present
Committee MemberSelf Assessment Committee, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2013 - present
MemberNorth American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- 2012 - 2013
Chief EditorEyerounds
- 2011 - 2014
MemberEyerounds
- 2010 - 2013
MemberAmerican Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- 2010 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2009 - present
MemberAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
- 2001 - 2015
MemberAmerican Medical Association
- 2001 - 2007
MemberAmerican Association of the Advancement of Science
- 2001 - 2007
MemberSociety for Neuroscience
Publications
Research activities