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We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Neeti Parikh has been appointed as the inaugural Stephen D. McLeod, MD, Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology at UCSF. This prestigious appointment recognizes Dr. Parikh’s extraordinary leadership, dedication to education, and deep commitment to advancing vision science.
A Chair Rooted in Visionary Purpose
More than 50 years ago, UCSF clinician-scientists Dr. Michael Hogan and Dr. Samuel Kimura established what is now the All May See Foundation to bring together clinicians and researchers in a unified effort to cure blindness and eradicate eye disease. Their belief in the power of philanthropy led to groundbreaking work in glaucoma, trachoma, retinoblastoma, and cataract surgery—and laid the foundation for the creation of endowed faculty positions to drive academic excellence.
The Stephen D. McLeod, MD, Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology honors one of UCSF’s most respected leaders: former Department Chair Dr. Stephen McLeod, the inaugural holder of the Theresa M. and Wayne M. Caygill, MD, Distinguished Professorship. The Chair supports visionary faculty leaders in research, teaching, mentorship, and clinical service, reinforcing UCSF Ophthalmology’s global leadership in eye care.
This endowed chair was made possible by 75 generous donors, raising over $1,040,000—a testament to the community’s belief in the mission and future of UCSF Ophthalmology. We are deeply grateful to Don and Judy McCubbin for their lead gift.
About Dr. Neeti Parikh
Dr. Neeti Parikh is a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, NY, and earned her medical degree through the combined 7-year Union College/Albany Medical College program in Albany, NY. She completed her residency in ophthalmology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, followed by a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. Dr. Parikh is an ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, an Associate Professor, and a clinician-educator in the Department of Ophthalmology at UCSF.
Dr. Parikh provides patient care and trains residents in both the clinic and operating room settings at UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She serves as Vice Chair of medical student education for ophthalmology, directing courses and rotations for UCSF medical students and advising students. She is also the Academic Director for comprehensive service in the ophthalmology department, overseeing educational contributions for medical students and residents. Additionally, she is an Assistant Career Advisor for the UCSF School of Medicine.
Dr. Parikh is a graduate of the Teaching Scholar’s Program at UCSF and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Academic Leadership Development Program. Some of her teaching honors include the Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award in General Teaching (UCSF, 2018) and admission to The Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators at UCSF (2022). In April 2025 she was elected a member of Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Directors of Medical Student Education Council.
Dr. Parikh’s current and future scholarly interests focus on education, research and innovation. Some of her work includes developing a health disparities curriculum for UCSF ophthalmology residents, establishing an ophthalmology medical student microsurgery lab, and creating video and simulation instructional materials for teaching the slit lamp examination to medical students.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Parikh’s has a five year appointment which is renewable every five years upon departmental review. We wholeheartedly believe that Dr. Parikh exemplifies the values and vision of the Stephen D. McLeod, MD, Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, embodying the kind of visionary, collaborative leader it was created to support—one deeply committed to training the next generation.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Neeti Parikh on this well-deserved honor. Her work is already shaping the future of vision care, and with this new role, she will have even greater impact—locally, nationally, and globally.