Robert F. Melendez, MD, MBA

Robert F. Melendez, MD, MBA, is a distinguished ophthalmologist, surgeon, and physician–executive recognized for his leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing patient care and professional development. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and raised in California, he developed an early dedication to service, education, and leadership that has defined his career.

He earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of New Mexico, where he also served as President of the New Mexico Student Medical Society. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he was honored as Resident of the Year and selected as Chief Resident. During his senior year, he founded the first-ever Chief Resident Leadership Conference to equip emerging physician leaders with essential leadership skills.

Dr. Melendez has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to organized medicine and advocacy. He was selected for the inaugural American Academy of Ophthalmology Advocacy Ambassador Program and has served extensively within the Academy. His leadership roles include Editor-in-Chief of the Academy’s ONE Network, followed by promotion to Secretary for Online Education, where he oversaw both the ONE Network and EyeWIKI. He also served on the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executive Board. He is the author of the leadership book Focus on the Passion, Not the Position.

In addition, Dr. Melendez has been actively involved in his state ophthalmology society for over 20 years and is a Past President of the New Mexico Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Melendez has served as a Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine for over 21 years, mentoring medical students and residents. He will launch his own Refractive Surgery Fellowship in July 2026.

With more than 22 years in clinical practice, Dr. Melendez is a high-volume cataract surgeon who began performing LASIK in 2006 and has consistently adopted advanced technologies, including SMILE, EVO ICL, and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. He also leads a research center focused on refractive surgery outcomes.

He earned his MBA from the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico and is currently enrolled at UC Berkeley in the CEO Ophthalmology program.

Dr. Melendez founded Ophthalmology Business Minute in 2020, the Outliers program in 2022, and CEO Ophthalmology in 2025. In 2020, he founded Juliette Eye Institute and is expanding to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also founded the Juliette RP Vision Foundation (juliettefoundation.org), supporting scholarships and research for Retinitis Pigmentosa.

He met his wife during a return trip to New Mexico, and they have been married for over 34 years. He also served in the USAF as a Flight Surgeon and separated in 2020 as a Lieutenant Colonel.