Dr. Hejkal named chairman of ophthalmology

Tom Hejkal, M.D., Ph.D.

Tom Hejkal, M.D., Ph.D., has been named the McGaw Memorial Chairman of the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Since May, Dr. Hejkal has served as interim chairman of the department, replacing Carl Camras, M.D., who died on April 14 after serving as ophthalmology chairman since 2000.

Dr. Hejkal’s appointment was effective Dec. 1, said John Gollan, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine.

More about Dr. Hejkal 1978 — Earned Ph.D. in oceanography from Florida State University 1990 — Earned M.D. from UNMC 1994 — Joined ophthalmology department faculty 1996 — Named residency program director for the ophthalmology department 2007 — Appointed vice chairman for clinical operations. Memberships and positions: UNMC Faculty Senate (eight years) Lions Eye Bank board member President of the Omaha Ophthalmological Society

“Dr. Hejkal has done a great job as interim chairman, and he deserves the opportunity to lead the department and take it to the next level,” Dr. Gollan said. “We have developed a number of future goals for the department, with one of the key goals to continue the development of research through the recruitment of outstanding new faculty.

“I know Dr. Hejkal has the skills to get the job done, and I’m confident he will lead the department with distinction.”

Dr. Hejkal said he’s excited to lead the department especially considering the recent announcement of construction plans for the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute on campus. The institute is expected to transform eye care in Nebraska and is named after Dr. Truhlsen, a legendary ophthalmologist with strong ties to UNMC.

“I appreciate Dr. Gollan giving me this wonderful opportunity,” said Dr. Hejkal, a 1990 graduate of the College of Medicine. “With the new eye institute scheduled to open in 2012, the department is truly on a roll. I look forward to continuing the momentum.”