By Alexandra Brodin
Scheie Vision Annual Report 2020
Alan S. Crandall, MD, was a surgeon at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, specializing in glaucoma, cataract, and anterior segment surgery. He graduated from the Utah School of Medicine in 1973 and completed his ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute. On October 2, 2020, after nearly 40 years of practicing ophthalmology at the Moran Eye Center, Dr. Crandall sadly passed away from a sudden illness.
Dr. Crandall devoted his life to providing the best possible patient care and advancing the field of ophthalmology. In addition to his renowned surgical skills, Dr. Crandall was an innovative researcher, leading the development of several new surgical techniques. He was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher, always working hard to ensure that ophthalmology residents and trainees had the knowledge and skills to become outstanding clinician scientists. Dr. Crandall was also devoted to humanitarian programs and was deeply invested in offering ophthalmic services in places with limited access to medical care. He founded and served as the senior medical director of the Moran Global Outreach Division. His leadership and desire to serve took him all over the world, including Ghana, Nepal, and South Sudan, where he performed free eye surgeries and trained others in ophthalmic surgery.
The passing of Dr. Crandall is an enormous loss to the field of ophthalmology and is deeply felt by all who knew him. He is remembered as a brilliant physician, a passionate humanitarian, and a treasured friend and colleague.