NEWS RELEASE
January 29, 2025
Berkeley – The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science is pleased to announce that Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs Dr. Christina S. Wilmer has accepted a new leadership position as the Associate Dean of Clinical Initiatives. As such Dr. Wilmer will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Herbert Wertheim Centers of Excellence for Eye Care and Vision Health, while developing new opportunities and partnerships.
Dr. Wilmer’s contributions as Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs have been outstanding. Her inspired leadership has ensured a vibrant and caring clinic, and a clinical learning environment that has set standards for others to follow. Dr. Wilmer’s leadership skills will ensure the school’s success moving forward. Her service in this new strategic role is essential to the future of the school as we take full advantage of the extraordinary gift from the Wertheim Family Foundation.
In 2021 we were the grateful beneficiary of Dr. Wertheim’s astonishing philanthropy, and launched our ten-year, $100 million dollar campaign, Our Vision, Our Future. In so doing we have the responsibility to optimize the opportunities to not only expand our clinical training but to also pursue other important initiatives and special projects. The Associate Dean of Clinical Initiatives will be responsible for oversight of the Emeryville campus development and new programs as Emeryville comes on-line in the spring of 2026.
The campaign includes initiatives beyond the UC Berkeley campus. These new projects will expand our OD, residency, and clinical research programs, such as setting up optometry clinics at other UC campuses; non-UC clinical partnerships; and launching satellite programs to serve the Central Valley. The Associate Dean of Clinical Initiatives will have responsibility for negotiating strategic partnerships, expansion of residency programs, and oversight of externship programs.
We congratulate Dr. Wilmer for her extraordinary accomplishments during her 11-year tenure as Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and look forward to her new leadership position as the Associate Dean of Clinical Initiatives.
The school will soon announce a search for a new Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs. In the meantime, Dr. Wilmer will remain in her current role until the new Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs is selected and in place.
Links
Dr. Wilmer’s Profile
The Herbert Wertheim Centers of Excellence for Eye Care and Vision Health
Contacts
Eric Craypo
Chief Communications Officer
Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science
University of California, Berkeley
510.468.7687
ecraypo@berkeley.edu