In this episode, we address the critical issue of building a diverse ophthalmology workforce in these trying times. I’m joined by faculty current and previous members of the UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, who have long been deeply committed to making ophthalmology more inclusive - their insights stemming from real-world experience in a state that banned race-conscious admissions decades ago.

In this episode, we’ll unpack their thoughtful JAMA Ophthalmology commentary, The Challenge in Building Diverse Ophthalmology Residency Programs, and more.

As you listen, I hope you're not just informed by our conversation —I hope you’re inspired to promote these concepts in your own sphere of influence.

Dr. Saras Ramantathan

Dr. Neeti Parikh

Dr. Julius Oatts

Dr. Jacque Duncan

The Challenge in Building Diverse Ophthalmology Residency Programs

In this, the final episode of our series on Native Americans and Ophthalmology, we turn our focus to the future, examining the critical need for greater Native American representation in medicine and eye care and the ongoing efforts being made to bridge this gap and we’ll hear from a young trainee who aspires to make a lasting impact through her journey in medicine

This final installment of our series presents the hopes and aspirations for the future of Native American eye care in the US.

The Association of American Indian Physicians

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and Cherokee Nation 

American Indians into Medicine Program

In this second installment of our series on Native Americans and Ophthalmology, we hear from an individual who has done more than just improve access to eye care—he’s shown what’s possible in the fight against diabetic vision loss for Native American communities in Oklahoma. His groundbreaking work has not only changed lives but has also set the standard for how care can be delivered to underserved populations.

We’ll also discuss how he’s now working to expand eye care access to an even broader population and how his experiences with the Native American communities in Oklahoma continue to shape the work he’s doing today.

This story is about commitment, impact, and what it truly means to care for people the best way we know how. 

Dr. Stephen R. Fransen & Lumata Health

Dean McGee Eye Institute Partnerships Page

In this first episode of our series on Native Americans and Ophthalmology, we begin by exploring an important question: What is the current state of eye health and eye care access for Native American communities in the U.S.?

To answer this, we’ll hear from Native American eye care providers as they share their personal journeys into the field as well as researchers who have dedicated their careers to understanding the issues around health disparities, access, and finding solutions to improve care for Native communities.

Dr. Lindsey Marvel

Dr. Elizabeth Fairless

Dr. Paula Ann Newman-Casey

The Indian Health Service

The Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System

Welcome, this is the trailer for my series on Native Americans and Ophthalmology.

This is a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention, yet it holds a lot of significance in the world of eye care, medicine, and healthcare equity. I’ve been wanting to explore it for a long time, and I’m thrilled to finally bring you what I believe are substantive, thought-provoking conversations on a subject that deserves more attention than it currently receives.

I’ve learned a lot in the process of creating this series, and my hope is that you will, too. 

New England Journal of Medicine - Indigenous Americans — The Journal’s Historical “Indian Problem”

In the last episode, we began a conversation with with Dr. Benjeil Edghill about his journey to ophthalmology and how he established a thriving practice in his hometown of NYC. In this episode we talk about his practice, his experiences being a black ophthalmologist, what motivates him, and what it will take to move us forward as a specialty to increase diversity in our ranks.

Dr. Benjeil Edghill is a Brooklyn native, a glaucoma specialist, and an advocate for minoritized groups. He’s not only a skilled surgeon practicing in New York City but also a leader in advocating for better care for minority communities and supporting the next generation of URiM physicians through his work with and leadership in the NMA ophthalmology section.

His story is an example of what can happen at the intersection of ability, opportunity, mentorship, allyship, and representation, all of which propelled him into a successful career as an ophthalmologist and a national leader for diversity and patient advocacy in our specialty.

Dr. Benjeil Edghill

In the last episode series, we heard from the directors of two pathway programs that are recruiting, supporting, and promoting young minority students in their efforts to pursue careers in the field of ophthalmology; the NMA Ophthalmology Section's Rabb Venable Excellence In Research Pathways to Success Program, and the AAO/AUPO's Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program. 

In this episode, we’ll hear from the proverbial fruits of their labor; three, newly minted physicians who participated in these programs, Drs. Tiffani Spaulding, Diego Dominguez, and Alissa Belzie. We’ll hear about the impact these programs have have had on them, and how their experiences have shaped the trajectory of their careers and influenced their plans for the future. 

These three young physicians embody the goals of each pathway program and why the need to increase diversity in ophthalmology is so important. 

In the last episode, we began conversations with Drs. Dolly Ann Padovani Claudio, O’Rese Knight, and Lisa Kelly about the work they’re doing as the directors of the Rabb Venable excellence in research program’s Pathways to Success Program and the AUPO/AAO Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program.

In this episode, we continue our conversations about these program’s efforts, including more on the DEI backlash and how to address the the social and legal climate that threatens to undermine the gains that have been made to improve diversity in the field of ophthalmology. 

At the end of our conversations, I ask my guests what they see as the way forward and the future plans for they have for their programs to continue the good hard work of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of ophthalmology. 

The recruitment and mentoring of URiM medical students to ophthalmology is paramount for addressing the dearth of URiM specialists in our field and the impact that it’s had on health care disparities from lack of access and representation for decades.

Today we being a series of episodes addressing this subject matter again in light of the now apparently gale force winds that the backlash against DEI has become. For this series I have brought back Drs. Dolly Ann Padovani-Claudio and O’Rese Knight to give us an update on the  Pathways to success program.

I also had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Lisa Kelly, who is the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program which is a partnership between the AAO and AUPO developed to increase diversity in ophthalmology by helping URiM students become competitive ophthalmology residency applicants.These individuals are on the forefront of the efforts being made to diversify ophthalmology. I think that they paint an accurate picture of the current landscape of DEI in ophthalmology and the attitude and approach to take as we face the challenges and ideologies being mounted and employed against its implementation. Their dedication and resolve is inspiring and I believe that from our conversations you’ll get a sense of is needed to secure the best for patient care and our specialty moving forward.

Dolly Ann Padovani Claudio, MD, PhD

O'Rese Knight, MD

Lisa Kelly, MD, MS

Rabb Venable Program

Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program