Natalia Morales, MD

Meet Natalia Morales

Dr. Morales discovered her passion for patient care while attending a medical magnet high school, where she saw firsthand the impact of meaningful connections between doctors and patients. She also found fulfillment in the problem-solving physicians perform to help patients find the right path forward. This inspired her mission to create trust and provide excellent, compassionate care for every patient. 

Interests & Added Expertise

That passion led her to earn her undergraduate degree at Yale University. She later attended the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed her internship and ophthalmology residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University in St. Louis. Following her residency, Dr. Morales completed a one-year anterior segment fellowship with Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls. Her hard work was recognized by faculty when she received the Drs. James and Linda Duan-Song Award for Clinical/Surgical Excellence, which reflects her dedication to patient care in ophthalmology. 

Education

• Undergraduate: Yale University, New Haven, CT
• Medical School: Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
• Internship/Residency: Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University, St. Louis, MO
• Fellowship: Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, SD

Select Awards & Honors

• Academic Women’s Network Rosalind Kornfeld Postgraduate Clinical Trainee Leadership Award (2025)
• Drs. James and Linda Duan-Song Award for Clinical/Surgical Excellence (2024)
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (Inducted 2020)
• Gold Humanism Honor Society (Inducted 2019)
• Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship Recipient (2017 – 2021)

Personal & Hobbies

Outside of work, Dr. Morales enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, including nature walks and local excursions. She also loves to travel and has visited several countries across Latin America and Asia. On sunny days, she enjoys tennis, pickleball, spikeball, and gardening.