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Benjamin Frankfort, MD, PhD, has been appointed chair of the Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Frankfort will succeed David Fleischmann, MD, MS, who has served as interim chair since November 2025. He will officially begin his role on July 20.<\/p>\nBenjamin Frankfort, MD, PhD, has been appointed chair of the Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Frankfort will succeed David Fleischmann, MD, MS, who has served as interim chair since November 2025. He will officially begin his role on July 20.<\/p>\n
Dr. Frankfort joins the School of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine, where he is Professor of ophthalmology and neuroscience, holds the Clifton R. McMichael Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, and serves as co-director of Baylor\u2019s Medical Scientist Training Program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are truly delighted to have Dr. Frankfort come to UNC as the new Chair of Ophthalmology and have great confidence that our tripartite mission will thrive under his leadership,\u201d said Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, MPH, Executive Dean of the School of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer for UNC Health. \u201cHe will be of enormous value to our community here at the School of Medicine\u00a0and UNC Health.\u201d<\/p>\n
A distinguished clinician scientist, Dr. Frankfort possesses advanced expertise in genetics, neuroscience, and glaucoma care. His NIH-funded research centers on advancing our understanding of glaucoma, with a focus on developing new diagnostic tools and therapies for this potentially blinding neurodegenerative disease.<\/p>\n
Dr. Frankfort earned his BA from Duke University, followed by his MD and PhD at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and returned to Baylor for a fellowship in glaucoma.<\/p>\n
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Frankfort to UNC and the School of Medicine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"