Mark T. Dunbar, OD, FAAO
Dr. Mark Dunbar has been a member of the optometric staff at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute for over 30 years and currently serves as the Director of Optometric Services. He is also Co-Chairman of the Conference Advisory Board for Vision Expo.
Dr Dunbar is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is a founding member of both the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS) and the Optometric Retina Society (ORS). Dr. Dunbar serves on the Editorial Boards for Review of Optometry where he writes the monthly column “The Retina Quiz. “ In 2021 he was named as one of the “Top 150 Optometrist in the Nation” by Newsweek Magazine’s annual survey.
Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO
Dr. Jessica Steen is an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry where she serves as Director of the Glaucoma Service and as an attending optometric physician at the College’s Eye Care Institute. Dr. Steen teaches the course in glaucoma and ocular pharmacology at NSU where she has a special interest in pharmaceutical and health policy. Dr. Steen also serves as the Primary Care with Emphasis in Ocular Disease Residency Coordinator.
Dr. Steen graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science and completed her residency in Primary Care with Emphasis in Ocular Disease at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Steen’s main clinical interests include glaucoma, retinal disease, neuro-ophthalmic disease with an emphasis in medical and surgical management. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Palm Beach County Optometric Association.
Paul Ajamian, OD
Paul C. Ajamian, O.D. is Board Certified by the American Board of Optometry, and is the Cofounder and Director of Omni Eye Services of Atlanta, the nation’s first Optometric Comanagement Center. He is the author of two textbooks, and is the editor of Review of Optometry’s popular monthly column “Clinical Quandries”. He is a past president of the Georgia Optometric Association, and as Legislative Chairman orchestrated the passage of Georgia’s Glaucoma, Narcotic bills, oral meds and injections bills.
He is a well known speaker, and has served as General Chairman of the Education Committee for SECO International since 2002. He was appointed to the Georgia State Board of Optometry by Governor Brian Kemp in June of 2021.
In 2014 he was the recipient of the AOA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2015, he was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame. In 2017, he received Review of Optometry’s Career Achievement Award.
Alexander Bottni, MD
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Alexander Bottini earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. He began his medical career at Emory University School of Medicine, where he also completed his internship. Dr. Bottini completed his residency at New York University School of Medicine, where he served as Chief Resident in his final year of residency. He then completed a vitreoretinal fellowship at the Retina Institute in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Alexander Bottini is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who specializes in treating diseases of the retina—including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vascular occlusions. In caring for patients with retinal disease Dr. Bottini performs intravitreal injections and laser surgery. He understands that patients with retinal conditions often face chronic, sight-threatening disease, and he endeavors to serve all his patients with empathy.
He enjoys working in a rapidly-evolving field of medicine, and he is committed to bringing the benefits of the latest scientific advancements to all of his patients. Outside of work Dr. Bottini enjoys spending time with family, reading, writing, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
Ellen Mitchell, MD
Dr. Ellen Mitchell is a board-licensed pediatric, neuro-ophthalmologist. She completed her medical education at Drexel University College. After completing her residency at Nassau University Medical Center, she went on to complete fellowships at both Massachusetts Eye & Ear and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
She has experience working with pediatric and neurology patients and has researched pediatric intracranial hypertension, pediatric neurofibromatosis, and pediatric neuro-ophthalmology. To her, the most rewarding part of practicing ophthalmology is educating her patients about the importance of routine eye care in order to screen for vision issues early in life. She is an active member of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology.
When she’s not working hard in-office, Dr. Mitchell enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and experiencing different cultures, cycling, and trying new restaurants.
Aubrey T Villines, Jr.
Aubrey T. Villines, Jr., Esq graduated from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta, Ga in 1997. He specializes in litigation and legislative activities. Since 1979 he has represented groups such as St. Joseph's Hospital, Disabled American Veterans, Georgia Mental Health Counselors Association, and many more.
Villines is the long-time general counsel for the GOA. He fights for Georgian optometry at the state capitol with the GOA Lobby team and recently testified before the House Health and Human Services Committee to defend the GOA's ban on online eye exams.