Who We Are
The Global Retina Institute is made up of a group of like-minded professionals with a passion for helping people take control of their retinal health. Everyone on our team is doing their part to make an impact.
Dr. Robin Ross is a board certified ophthalmologist who specializes in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery for over 20 years. Her passion to prevent unnecessary suffering and disability caused by eye diseases has bonded her for life with her patients in Liberia, Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nicaragua, Cambodia, and other countries in need.
She received her BA at Stanford University then attended medical school at Weill Cornell University Medical College where she completed a Basic Science Vitreoretinal Research Fellowship in perfluorocarbon liquids that revolutionized retinal detachment surgery. In medical school, she was awarded a Scudder Fellowship to study in India, gaining her first exposure to “eye camps”. During her residency in Ophthalmology at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, she founded the Free Eye Clinic at the Free Medical Clinic in Iowa City. She was a Heed Fellowship Recipient during her Vitreoretinal Fellowship.
In 2013, Dr Ross began the merger of her private practice to the University of Michigan to bring additional cornea and glaucoma services to the Grand Blanc/Flint community and she completed her Masters in Public Health at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2016. She felt called to build eye care capacity in West Africa due to the Ebola Epidemic. In 2017, she accepted the role of Director of Global Health Outreach at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix to introduce first year medical students to global health. Her current clinical research is with the PREVAIL III project in Liberia.
She's known by her colleagues as a change agent, a pioneer and a fearless disruptor. She's at her best when her grit is being tested, and remains passionate about removing barriers to eye care around the world and back here at home.
Chad Cleveringa
Chief Financial Officer
Chad Cleveringa is our Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer. He has worked as a consultant for the automotive industry specializing in lean manufacturing and ran a company specializing in social entrepreneurship. This led to his continuing interest in investing and non profit health care models. His role is mentoring our team to maximize impact.
Sheri Schwartzkopf, OSC
Surgical Coordinator and Director of Floater Clinic
Sheri Schwartzkopf has spent 15 years in Nebraska and 2 years with GRI as an ophthalmic technician. She has raised two grown kids--a schoolteacher and an Air Force F16 "maverick" serving today. She is our early riser and is an exceptional team player.
Robin Martini
Dry Eye Coordinator
Robin Martini has worked in multiple roles most recently as a Medical Assistant at University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Institute in Michigan. Prior to healthcare, she worked with artisans in low income countries and enjoyed her dual role, empowering women and helping improve their healthcare. She currently serves as our Patient Coordinator, making deep connections with all of our patients. Robin is a true nurturer and has a great instinct for knowing when patients or teammates need extra TLC.
Kristina Lozon-Kimling, OSC
Kristina has worked with Dr. Ross since 2010 at the Retina Vitreous Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan and then at the University of Michigan. She has worn many hats as a scribe, medical assistant and now helping in administration at the front desk. She moved to Arizona in 2019.
Hazel Cuevo, BS, MPH, OSC
Hazel is a graduate of BS Pharmacy with a Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree in the Philippines equipped with over 8 years of experience as a Regulatory Affairs Executive and Admin Assistant. She is a holder of healthcare virtual assistant and HIPAA certifications and is arrayed with IJCHAPO Ophthalmic Scribe Certification (OSC). Born and raised in the Philippines, Hazel had a vast experience in compassion and the promotion of optimal healthcare delivery. Hazel is a goal-setter and a dedicated worker.
Johanna Bolido, BS, OSC
Johanna has a degree of BS in Clinical Laboratory Science in the Philippines. She earned her HIPAA and Healthcare Virtual Assistant Certification in 2022 and Ophthalmic Scribe Certification in 2023. Like Dr. Ross, she has volunteered extensively with various organizations both in the Philippines and internationally such as Red Cross Youth Philippines, CISV International, Coins for Change-Vietnam, and Suntown Foundation Inc. which brings together children with cancer and with severe or chronic illnesses. She is fluent in English, Filipino, and Hiligaynon. Johanna recently received a national junior leadership award that took her to Portugal in July 2023 for leadership training.
