UNC Department of Ophthalmology pauses to pay tribute to the life, leadership and legacy of Travis Ashby Meredith, Jr., MD (March 1942 – March 2026), the department’s second Chair (2000-2011). At UNC, Dr. Meredith is fondly remembered for fostering a workplace where rich academic and clinical discussion enabled colleagues in eye care to learn from one another and share best practices. Known for his signature, sharp wit, Dr. Meredith led with levity, recognizing its value in bringing out the best among teammates caring for patients and one another in UNC Ophthalmology’s high-volume patient care settings.
UNC Professor of Ophthalmology and fellow Vitreoretinal Surgery and Retinal Disease specialist in J. Niklas Ulrich, MD, worked closely with Dr. Meredith, first as a two-year fellow, followed by working alongside him as a peer Vitreoretinal Surgery and Retinal Disease specialist. Dr. Ulrich noted: “Dr. Meredith had a huge impact on UNC Ophthalmology. Under his tenure, our department’s faculty numbers grew from a handful to about 20, which put us on the map nationally. He deeply cared about his patients, faculty and trainees. Despite being a giant in the field of retina, he was humble and generous. I had the honor of being his last surgical fellow. He was a wonderful mentor, colleague and friend, and he will be dearly missed.”
UNC Ophthalmology’s Interim Chair and Glaucoma specialist David Fleischman, MD, trained under Dr. Meredith as a resident and later became a faculty colleague at UNC. Dr. Fleischman noted: “I truly loved Dr. Meredith. He was a strong advocate for residents and an amazing teacher and person. I was fortunate to have him as a teaching mentor and to practice medicine alongside him.”
Over his 50-year career, Dr. Meredith received numerous awards for his skill, leadership, and commitment to advancing his field. In 2007, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recognized Dr. Meredith’s distinguished career in ophthalmology with the Lifetime Honor Award. For 20+ years (1988-2008), Dr. Meredith was among the highly regarded physicians across the U.S. consistently named to the “Best Doctors in America” annual list. Among a handful of other UNC Ophthalmology faculty, he was repeatedly ranked by U.S. News & World Report and Castle Connolly in the top 1% of all doctors in the nation (respective to specialty).
Dr. Meredith’s career is defined by a passion for academic medicine and to investing his eye care expertise where it would provide the greatest good. Prior to UNC, he served on faculty in several distinguished institutions, including his alma maters, Emory Medical School and Washington University. For two years post-residency, he served as the Main Navy Dispensary’s lead ophthalmologist for the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Dr. Meredith’s legacy within the UNC School of Medicine, UNC’s Department of Ophthalmology, and the field of ophthalmology endures through the countless lives he touched — as a leader, as an educator and as a physician of excellence and compassion.
Donald H. Budenz, MD, MPH, succeeded Dr. Meredith as UNC Ophthalmology’s third Chair (2011-2025). Dr. Budenz reflected: “Dr. Meredith cared deeply for all department members and invested in their well-being, and in turn he was beloved by faculty, trainees, and staff. He was a highly successful in recruiting across all subspecialty areas and in growing UNC Ophthalmology’s clinical and research operations. The tremendous wisdom and advice that Dr. Meredith imparted during periodic lunches equipped me with a better foundational knowledge as Chair when I took the position. I will sorely miss Dr. Meredith, among a multitude in the department who knew him and were greatly endeared to him.”