Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences faculty members are highly respected in their fields of expertise and involved in many interesting activities in/out of work. Each month this "Faculty Feature" will take an opportunity to share a little about individual faculty members - who they are and what they are up to.
Khadija Shahid, OD, MPH, FAAO
Primary Eye Care and Vision Rehabilitation
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Faculty Member since 2011
Dr. Shahid has been active in local and international volunteer organizations dedicated to increasing access to eye care throughout her career.
She is proud to have received a teaching award for her work leading a group of students on a telemedicine project. The project expanded advanced retinal imaging and ocular screening tools through community outreach and relationship building.
Recently, Dr. Shahid has been involved in expanding the use of autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI) to perform electronic retinal exams and screen for diabetic retinopathy. She is excited to expand this effort into additional clinic settings where it can benefit more patients facing potential vision loss.
Professional recognition and leadership include:
- Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry
What are your favorite activities, hobbies, or interests outside of work?
Rock climbing with my family is my prescription for a perfect day. I only discovered it later in my life and thanks to my husband's phenomenal coaching I continue to grow with the sport. Rock climbing is a beautiful marriage of mental and physical ability that teaches me over and over about life. It's taken me to the most beautiful and meditative spots outside in the U.S. and Internationally. My dream would be to share this passion with my little son - he's about 3 years old and has already climbed a few times outdoors with such good spirit and bravery!
If you could have one "superhero" power, what would it be?
Resilience. I am eternally grateful for the fortune in my life but it is easy to fall prey to fatigue and negative energy. I want to always be in a place where I can appreciate the beauty and weather the storm. I'd love to pass that skill onto my little son as well.
"This is one of my favorite action shots of retinoscopy. I was working in Honduras at a mobile clinic and this man was selling cotton candy, stopped mid-day to see the eye doctors, and went right back to work!"