Diversity, equality, and inclusion are core values for the UC San Diego Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and the Shiley Eye Institute. We aim to promote a culture of equality across every segment of our workplace. Empowering all individuals and encouraging diverse representation will enhance our ability to serve our communities in the clinic locally and globally, perform groundbreaking research, and inspire teaching for the next generation of physicians and scientists in vision and eye care.

We are working in conjunction with UC San Diego Health Sciences and School of Medicine as well as the UC San Diego campus to address systemic inequities. As part of this effort, we are engaging in a range of training programs and initiatives. We also have mentorship programs and outreach activities for trainees and staff from traditionally under-represented groups. We welcome your questions about diversity in the UC San Diego Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Institute, please contact Dr. Sally Baxter (Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee Chair) at s1baxter@health.ucsd.edu.

Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program

For many years, the Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology has supported the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Program, which provides a dynamic mentoring program for underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students, including one-on-one mentorship, guidance in medical career planning, networking opportunities, and access to educational resources. Several of our faculty members have also volunteered to be mentors in the program.

Medical Student Research Opportunities

The Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology also supports diverse medical students interested in vision science and ophthalmology research through the UCSD MSTAR program. This is a fully funded summer research experience for medical students between their first and second years of training. We have a wide array of ophthalmology faculty who serve as research mentors for this program. Students from traditionally underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Meet our Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Committee at Shiley:

Sally L. Baxter, MD, MSc
Assistant Professor

Don O. Kikkawa, MD, FACS
Professor

Todd Coleman, PhD
Professor

Henry A. Ferreyra, MD
Professor

Aida Haile, COT
Clinical Supervisor

Darren K. Knight, MD
Retina Fellow

Daniel J. Ozzello, MD
Oculoplastics Fellow

Kaileen Yeh, MD
Chief Resident

Adeleh Yarmohammadi, MD
Chief Resident

Medi Eslani, MD
Resident

Linda M. Zangwill, PhD
Professor

Mission Statement

Diversity, equality, and inclusion are core values for our department. This committee is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for patients, employees, and trainees alike. We aim to promote a culture of equality across all segments of our workplace. Empowering all individuals and encouraging diverse representation will enhance our ability to serve our communities, perform groundbreaking research, and inspire teaching for the next generation of physicians and scientists in vision and eye care.

Additional Links and Resources:

UC Campus Diversity Efforts
UCSD Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Center for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion
UCSD School of Medicine Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships
UCSD Student National Medical Association
UCSD Black Resource Center
UCSD Latino Medical Student Association
UCSD Women’s Center
UCSD Hispanic Center of Excellence
UCSD LGBT Resource Center