Raquel Goldhardt, M.D. F.A.C.S., Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, has been a critical figure in the national and international physician education program while playing an active role in the inclusion and diversity, admission, and executive committees for the University of Miami Medical School as well as the residency selection committee for the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. Dr. Goldhardt became a mentor for the AUPO Champion for Minority Ophthalmology program (MOM) in 2020 and since 2021 took on a mentorship role for students applying for ophthalmology residency which includes crafting a residency match strategy and co-advisor for the Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIC), identifying research mentors and research project as well as being part of a distinguished cohort of Rabb-Venable mentees as one of the BPEI Ophthalmology Residency Program representatives.

She has been privileged to teach foreign ophthalmologists as a co-director of international mini-Bascom Palmer courses in Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and Guatemala. Dr. Goldhardt has authored several chapters (Portuguese and English) in immunology and ophthalmic textbooks on the topic of inflammatory diseases, cataracts, and retina pathology that serve as resources for other eye care specialists and physicians in training.

As a cataract surgeon, medical retina, and uveitis specialist, Goldhardt has extensive surgical and clinical experience in the management of complicated cataract surgery, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases, retinal pathologies including macular degeneration, vein occlusions, and diabetic retinopathy. 

As Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and of International and Community Services, she has been leading mission trips to South America (Colombia, Ecuador), Mexico, and China for more than 15 years. She has an active role in all UM Health Fairs, mentoring medical students interested in serving our community. Her research focuses on novel imaging techniques for macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion as well as Stargardt's disease, and biomarkers of ocular Gulf War illness. She was the first to describe posterior subhyaloid precipitates associated with cytomegalovirus retinitis. Dr. Goldhardt has been a star as a physician and educator at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute carrying on the tradition of learning, compassion, and dedication that is the essence of the legacy of the program. She exemplifies compassionate care, inspires all around her, and has demonstrated a track record of achievement, driven by an ambition to make the world a better place.