Doctor Profile: Dr. Katy Najafi-Tagol

<p>SAN RAFAEL – She is Marin County’s only fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist, the only Marin General Hospital surgeon performing advanced glaucoma surgeries and one of maybe a handful of female ophthalmologists in the Bay Area.</p><p>She’s donated her time around the world, had her research published in multiple journals and, her proudest of all accomplishments, still made time to be a mom.</p><p>“I think I was attracted to health care because I really felt like that was a place I could directly make people’s lives better,” said Dr. Katy Najafi-Tagol.</p><p>“For me everyday in the office is rewarding. … There is a lot going wrong it seems in health care today, but I like to look at the glass half full,” said Dr. Najafi-Tagol. “I believe it will get better, it will just take some time.”</p><p>As a businesswoman, she is also a stand-out as one of the rapidly dwindling numbers of physicians holding onto a solo practice. She has watched her peers form groups, but that is a trend she does not intend to follow. </p><p>“It is challenging in today’s health care world to hold onto a single practice. Reimbursements are lower, pay is lower and a lot of doctors have to group in order to be successful,” she said. “But for me, I have to be solo. I like knowing that if someone is referred to my office, they are going to see me. You can set your own pace and you have a relationship with all of your patients.”</p><p>Dr. Najafi-Tagol divides her hours between her glaucoma and ophthalmology private practice on Civic Center Drive and hospitals in Marin and San Francisco. She also participates in research projects, including the development of a drug for viral conjunctivitis and teaches at the California Pacific Medical Center in her off hours. </p><p>Though she was born in Iran, she spent most of her childhood in the Bay Area before trotting the nation, studying in New York, Connecticut and Southern California. She also volunteered time in India providing cataract surgery to those that would otherwise not have access to the care.</p><p>“I have traveled all over, but really I just feel like there is no better place than the Bay Area, and there is a real need for specialty here,” she said. “Particularly in Marin, the population is aging and more and more people will have cataract and glaucoma.”</p><p>Dr. Najafi-Tagol spent an additional year of study just learning her specialty, but still she said education is a daily process. Her specialty in particular is considered by many one of the most challenging because research on treatment and prevention of cataracts and glaucoma is ongoing.</p><p>“It is a constantly evolving field and I want to do my best to offer my patients the latest in treatments. I am always finding something new to learn about,” she said.</p><p>Dr. Najafi-Tagol currently has about 4,350 patients that travel from all over the North Bay and as far as Reno, Nev.</p><p>Besides working in her office and hospital operating rooms, she is the founding member of the scientific advisory board for NovaBay Pharmaceutical, a volunteer at Eye Care America and on the Credential Committee for Novato Community Hospital.</p>