Dr. Lisa S. Schocket Named Chair of UM School of Medicine’s Department of Opthalmology and Visual Sciences

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, announced today the appointment of Lisa S. Schocket, MD, as the new Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Services at UMSOM. She is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UMSOM and has been serving as Interim Chair since July, 2022. The new appointment takes effect immediately.

During her time as interim chair, she worked to establish best practices for the Department, strengthening its academic programs and improving its financial viability.

“I believe that Lisa has demonstrated the leadership capabilities to drive the clinical care, education and research missions of the department towards continued success,” said Dean Gladwin who is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor at UMSOM and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore. “I have every confidence in her abilities as the new Chair and I look forward to seeing her and the department flourish.”

Dr. Schocket has also served as the Department’s Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Chief of Vitreoretinal Surgery, and Medical Director of the University of Maryland Eye Associates. She specializes in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusions, retinal detachments, macular holes, and cataract complications.

She recently led a study investigating the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based vision screening in health fair settings; the study found these screenings could help improve access to eye care in underserved communities. She also serves as a principal investigator for the Paladin study group which is assessing the safety and efficacy of an experimental ocular drug implant in patients with diabetic macular edema.

“I am honored and thrilled to accept the position as Chair of Ophthalmology,” said Dr. Schocket. “I will continue working collaboratively with my colleagues to provide the highest quality coordinated care to ALL Marylanders and in so doing, support our education, research, and community engagement initiatives.”

After earning her MD degree at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Schocket completed her residency at the University of Pennsylvania/Scheie Eye Institute, followed by a surgical retina fellowship at Tufts University/Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston. Actively involved in research throughout her career, her papers have appeared in journals such as Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, and Retina. She is board certified in Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Before joining University of Maryland, Dr. Schocket was in private practice in Baltimore for 9 years. There, she earned a reputation for caring for her patients while also providing the latest treatments available.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic, and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has more than $500 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 start-up companies. In the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2023, the UM School of Medicine is ranked #10 among the 92 public medical schools in the U.S., and in the top 16 percent (#32) of all 192 public and private U.S. medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu