Faculty Affairs

Stephen Christiansen, MD, Stepping Down as Chief and Chair of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences

Stephen Christiansen, MD, has announced his intention to step down from his roles as Chief and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, effective September 2026.

Christiansen joined the medical campus community in 2009, bringing with him deep expertise in ophthalmology, a passion for training the next generation of physicians, and a lifelong commitment to expanding access to care. During the past 16 years, he has not only led ophthalmology programs with distinction but has also helped shape the future of eye care through groundbreaking research and global health work.

A world-renowned expert in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, Christiansen has led research initiatives that have expanded our understanding of childhood and adult eye disorders. His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and has focused on conditions such as strabismus, infantile cataracts, and retinopathy of prematurity. He has also widely shared his knowledge, delivering more than 30 invited lectures around the world and authoring more than 160 peer-reviewed publications.

During his time at BMC and Chobanian & Avedisian SOM, Christiansen has also served in leadership roles across national and international ophthalmology organizations. He is an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, a past board member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS), and he is currently President of the American Orthoptic Journal, Inc. His many accolades include the Senior Honor Award from AAPOS and the Senior Achievement and Secretariat Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Beyond the hospital walls, Christiansen has helped expand access to eye care for underserved populations around the globe, building sustainable delivery systems in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and The Gambia.

While stepping down from his leadership roles, Christiansen will remain on faculty, continuing to care for patients, teach, conduct research, and contribute to our community. A formal national search for the next Chief and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences will begin soon.