Grace Lindhorst, MD, becomes the first vice chair of education at the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Comprehensive ophthalmologist and dedicated educator Grace Lindhorst, MD, has been appointed vice chair of education for the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. In this new leadership role, Lindhorst will guide the department’s educational strategy, mentor faculty and trainees, and continue shaping the future of ophthalmic training.

A board-certified ophthalmologist and associate professor, Lindhorst sees patients at the Cizik Eye Clinic and serves as chief of ophthalmology at Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. She has been deeply involved in the department’s residency program for years, serving as associate program director, as well as interim program director during the COVID-19 pandemic, when her steady leadership ensured continuity and support for trainees.

“Grace has long been a go-to resource for our faculty and residents,” says Timothy J. McCulley, MD, professor and chair of the department. “This appointment is simply a recognition of the essential leadership role she’s already been playing.”

Known for her collaborative spirit and approachable style, Lindhorst is deeply trusted by residents. “She has an open-door policy,” says Ruchi D. Shah, MD, current director of the residency program. “Residents feel comfortable going to her with any issue, and she goes above and beyond to help them succeed.”

For Lindhorst, mentorship remains at the heart of her mission. “As vice chair of education, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Shah and our faculty in developing the next generation of physician leaders in ophthalmology,” she says.

With a commitment to education and grounded leadership — shaped in part by her military background —Lindhorst is poised to strengthen the department’s training programs and inspire the next generation of ophthalmologists.