UCSF Ophthalmology Hosts 2nd Annual McLeod Leadership Lecture
On March 13, 2025, the UCSF Department of Ophthalmology proudly hosted the 2nd annual Dr. Stephen McLeod Endowed Leadership Lecture in Ophthalmology, featuring Tamara R. Fountain, MD. This lectureship, endowed through a generous gift from UCSF alumnus and ophthalmologist, Dr. David Chang and his wife, Victoria (pictured below), honors Stephen D. McLeod, MD, former UCSF Department Chair and current CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Fountain is a professor of ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center and maintains a private practice in oculofacial plastic surgery in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Originally from Minneapolis, she was raised in a family where leadership was a constant—her father was a commercial airline pilot, and her mother worked as a marketing executive.
Dr. Fountain earned her BA in Human Biology from Stanford University and her MD from Harvard Medical School. She completed her internship in internal medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital, followed by a residency in ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She then pursued subspecialty training in plastic and reconstructive surgery around the eye at the Doheny Eye Institute at USC before establishing her practice in Chicago.
The William G. and Ruth R. Hoffman Auditorium was filled with attendees eager to engage in discussions on leadership in academic medicine and healthcare.
Dr. Fountain’s lecture, “Pilots and Physicians, Passengers and Patients: Situational Awareness When Stakes Are High,” drew parallels between aviation and medicine, emphasizing the critical role of situational awareness in high-stakes decision-making. She explored the common causes of misdiagnosis, the judgment errors that delay diagnosis, and practical strategies to minimize these risks.
Her central message: “Remember your training—fly the plane.” Just as pilots must stay focused on flying the aircraft, physicians must prioritize treating the patient by consistently answering three key questions:
- What’s the patient’s history?
- What is the physical exam showing?
- What do the test results indicate?
Dr. Fountain also reflected on personal values in leadership, sharing memorable patient stories that highlighted the privilege and responsibility of medical care. Her engaging Q&A session fostered a deeper conversation on effective leadership in healthcare.
The McLeod Leadership Lecture continues to serve as an inspiring platform for thought leaders in ophthalmology, encouraging new perspectives on leadership and emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning in medicine.