Deborah M. Costakos, MD, MS

Deborah M. Costakos, MD, MS, is the Interim Dean of the School of Medicine (SOM) and Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Dr. Costakos is responsible for the conduct and advancement of the programs of the SOM; maintaining the highest standards of excellence in the academic affairs of SOM; fostering competitive biomedical research programs; and ensuring high-quality patient care and engagement of communities to advance health for all. She serves as the Chief Administrative and Academic Officer of the SOM and oversees the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation. She recommends primary or secondary faculty appointments for individuals requesting appointments in the SOM and recommends appointments and reappointments to a named or endowed Chair/Professorship. Dr. Costakos oversees the Senior Associate Deans, Clinical and Basic Science Department Chairs, Institute and Center Directors, and Deans of the Regional Campuses.

She holds an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from The Ohio State University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and received her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of South Carolina in 1988. From 1988-1992, she was employed at the Genetics and IVF Institute in Fairfax, Va., serving as a genetic counselor.

Dr. Costakos received her MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1998, where she was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha. Following completion of her ophthalmology residency and fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, she entered private practice with Lakeshore Eye Care Specialists in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Dr. Costakos joined the MCW faculty in 2009 as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014 and Professor in 2020. Dr. Costakos served as the Medical Director for pediatric ophthalmology. Dr. Costakos previously served as the Chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and held the R.D. and Linda Peters endowed Chair. Her research interests include genetic disorders affecting the eye, retinopathy of prematurity and macular development in infants. She has published more than 30 scholarly journal articles, in addition to books, chapters, reviews and abstracts.