PHYSICIAN. INNOVATOR. EDUCATOR. EXECUTIVE.
Carmen A. Puliafito,MD, MBA
Co-Inventor of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
A career dedicated to advancing vision, transforming medicine, and building the future of academic medicine through leadership, innovation and education.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Co-Inventor of OCT
Pioneered Optical Coherence Tomography, a groundbreaking imaging technology that transformed the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease worldwide.
Academic Medical Leader
Held leadership roles at Tufts University School of Medicine, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Institutional Growth
Led the Keck Medical Center clinical enterprise through transformative growth of 222%, advancing patient care and clinical excellence.
Philanthropic Impact
Secured more than $1B in gifts and pledges to advance education, research, and innovation at the Keck School of Medicine.
CAREER TIMELINE
From Scientific Discovery to Academic Leadership
Massachusetts Eye and Ear / Harvard Medical School
Research, laser medicine, and OCT development.
1984-1991
Tufts University School of Medicine
Founding Director, New England Eye Center; Chair, Department of Ophthalmology.
1991-2001
2001-2007
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Medical Director
Keck School of Medicine
Dean from 2007-2016, then Professor of Ophthalmology at USC through 2017.
2007-2017
INNOVATION THAT CHANGED EYE CARE
The OCT Breakthrough
As co-inventor of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).Dr. Puliafito helped create a technology that provides unprecedented, non-invasive insight into the living retina-improving outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.
"Carmen Puliafito is one of the most visionary leaders in ophthalmology— an inventor, academician, and institution builder whose impact will endure for generations."
- COLLEAGUE AND PEER