Golnik Appointed Interim Chair of Ophthalmology

Karl Golnik, MD, has been appointed interim chair of the UC Department of Ophthalmology effective July 1. James Augsburger, MD, will be stepping down as chair after leading the department for more than 15 years.

Golnik received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his postgraduate training at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, University of Virginia and the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, where he was a fellow in neuro-ophthalmology. In 2003 he received a master’s in education from the University of Cincinnati.

He was appointed an assistant professor at the College of Medicine in 1995 and for the last nine years has held appointments as a professor in the departments of ophthalmology, neurology and rehabilitation medicine and neurosurgery. Since 2003, he has served as the ophthalmology department’s vice chair and also directs the residency program. Last year, Golnik was appointed chief of ophthalmology at the Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The recipient of numerous teaching and ophthalmology awards, Golnik is an active member of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology and Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology. He is currently president of the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology and is a board member of the International Council of Ophthalmology.

Golnik has made more than 630 scientific and medical presentations in the last 25 years. He also is credited with more than 135 abstracts, book chapters and scientific publications.

In a memo announcing the appointment, Dean of the College of Medicine Thomas Boat, MD, thanked Augsburger for his 15 years of chairing the department.

"He has been a highly respected leader, both locally and internationally, for the department and we are grateful for his sustained leadership over many years," said Boat. "We are happy to note that Dr. Augsburger will remain on faculty at the college."