A leading ophthalmologist who serves as chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver is scheduled to speak next week at UC Davis on the topic of “Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Historical, Institutional and Personal Views.”

M. Roy Wilson’s talk, free and open to the public, is scheduled for Dec. 3 as part of the UC Davis Health System Dean’s Lecture Series.

Organizers said Wilson has for decades been on the forefront of addressing health disparities. Throughout his career, he has remained focused on the needs of the medically underserved, diversity as a core institutional value and justice in patient care.

In his talk, he is expected to highlight important milestones that launched and sustain the health care equality movement, the question of race as genetic or sociopolitical, and critical next steps in eliminating health disparities.

Wilson became chancellor at the University of Colorado Denver in 2006; he oversees the Downtown Campus and the Anschutz Medical Campus. Previously he was president of the four-campus Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2003-06), and before that he was affiliated with the Creighton University School of Medicine (dean, starting in 1998), and dean and vice president for health sciences (1999-2003).

Prior becoming an administrator, he was a professor of ophthalmology at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute and at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, also in Los Angeles.

He received his medical degree at Harvard University and a Master of Science degree in epidemiology at the UCLA School of Public Health. He performed his ophthalmology residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard, and he completed a glacoma fellowship at the same institution, en route to becoming an international expert on glaucoma. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences.

His UC Davis talk is set to begin at 5 p.m. in the auditorium at the MIND Institute, 2825 50th St., Sacramento. Map and directions.

People interested in attending are asked to arrange reservations by calling (916) 734-9101 or e-mailing specialevents@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.