Press Release
May 24, 2021

Shira L. Robbins, MD, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, has been elected UC San Diego Health (UCSDH) Vice Chief of Staff. She was elected by the UC San Diego Active Medical Staff that includes over 1,300 physicians, psychologists and podiatrists. Subsequently, in 2 years she will become UC San Diego Health (UCSDH) Chief of Staff.

“Our department is thrilled by Dr. Robbins’ election to this important position. She is a leader in her field and an asset to UC San Diego Health. I know that she will do an excellent job.” said Robert N. Weinreb, MD, Chair of the UC San Diego Department of Ophthalmology and Director of the Shiley Eye Institute.

Dr. Robbins specializes in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Eye Re- Alignment. Her presence at Jacobs Medical Center NICU and Newborn Nursery as Director of Neonatal Ophthalmology protects the visual development of our smallest and most fragile of patients. She heads the new Myopia Control Clinic which researches and treats the worldwide epidemic of nearsightedness that can lead to other blinding eye conditions. She performs surgery on adults with double vision to make them more functional in society. The author of over 80 scientific articles and book chapters on topics from the economics of medicine to surgical safety, Dr. Robbins’ work is recognized worldwide by her colleagues.

“I am both honored and excited to be elected to this impactful position at UC San Diego Health,” said Dr. Robbins. “I look forward to interacting with the physician leaders, CEO and management team to represent the Medical Staff in promoting the best possible care for our patients throughout the Health System.”

This position of Vice Chief of Staff merges patient safety with UCSD policies while being a physician advocate. In this new role, Dr. Robbins will serve as a member of the Medical Staff Executive Committee (MSEC), the Professionalism Committee and the Joint Conference Committee (liaising between the medical staff and the executive group board). She will be responsible for promoting quality of care, translating regulatory guidelines to enable cutting-edge medical care, ensuring procedural safeguards are in place, being a spokesperson for the Medical Staff in external professional and public relations, serving on liaison committees with the UCSDH Executive Governing Body and Health Center Administration, and interacting with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Governing Body in all matters of mutual concern at UCSDH.

Dr. Robbins will assume her new role effective July 1, 2021 succeeding Christian Tomaszewski, MD, as he steps into his role as Chief of Staff.