RETINA VITREOUS ASSOCIATES - Key Persons

Dr. David Schnitzer is a native of Baltimore, Maryland where he completed most of his medical training through the University of Maryland Medical System. He then traveled to Houston for his Retina Fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine prior to entering private practice in 1994. He has been practicing as a Vitreoretinal Surgeon in Columbus for most of his career where he enjoys providing individualized retinal care to his patients.

Dr. El Rashedy's extensive training in ophthalmological subspecialties has made her well-qualified to treat and manage especially complex conditions. She has had her research published in a number of peer-reviewed journals, has authored a number of book chapters. Dr. El Rashedy has made multiple presentations at scientific seminars and meetings.

Dr. Lebron a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico joined Retina Vitreous Associates in 2000. He obtained a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in biology from the University of Puerto Rico graduating Magna Cum Laude. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine on a full academic scholarship and graduating in the top three percent of his class. During medical school he was elected to the alpha chapter of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and served as the chapter's vice president during his senior year. While attending medical school Dr. Lebron was an exchange student at the Ohio State University School of Medicine Ophthalmology Department. During this time he met Amy, an Ohio native who would later become is beloved wife. After medical school, he served a one-year medical internship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He then completed a three-year residency in Ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine in Boston Massachusetts serving as co-chief resident. After his residency he completed a two year Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at the University Of Tennessee/Vitreoretinal Foundation in Memphis. Dr. Lebron is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Ophthalmology. After his fellowship he and his wife moved back to Columbus where they have raised their four children. When not working Dr. Lebron enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and friends. He is a tenor and volunteers as a soloist at his local church as well as church choir. He enjoys the outdoors and traveling in his RV. He is fully bilingual and fluent in English and Spanish.

Michael R. Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., received his Medical Degree from University of Miami after completing his Ph.D. in Psychobiology at University of Michigan. Dr. Petersen received subspecialty training in vitreoretinal disease and surgery at University of Washington and is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Petersen has conducted extensive research in both basic and clinical sciences. He has co-authored three books and has published numerous articles in national and international scientific journals and textbooks. In recognition of his research contributions, Dr. Petersen was named an Alfred P. Sloan Neuroscience Fellow. Dr. Petersen served on the faculty at Indiana University and then University of Washington prior to joining Cincinnati Eye Institute as the first vitreoretinal surgeon. He is one of a small group of retinal specialists performing sophisticated macular and subretinal surgery. He is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors at CEI and is the Director of the Division of Ophthalmology at Bethesda Hospitals. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and is Director of Vitreoretinal Services at CEI. Dr. Petersen is listed as one of the Best Doctors in America. Dr. Petersen retired from Cincinnati Eye Institute after more than 26 years serving patients in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Dr. Nelsen obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Illinois Medical School. He completed a rotating internship at Milwaukee County Hospital, and a residency in ophthalmology at Northwestern University Medical Center. Dr. Nelsen completed his retina fellowship at Albany Medical College. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.