Robert Melendez was raised in California and met his wife while visiting family in New Mexico where he met his wife of 30 years. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2000 and then He completed his ophthalmology training at his number one choice at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center where he was chosen as Chief Resident and voted resident eye surgeon of the year in 2004. Dr. Melendez worked for 16 year performing high volume cataract and refractive surgery with over 2000 cataracts per year and learned LASIK/PRK in 2006. After his surgery training, he completed his MBA at UNM Anderson School of Management where he held many leadership positions both nationally and at the state level. Dr. Melendez served as the Secretary for Online Education of the American Academy of Ophthalmology where he helped create the first education app for eye surgeons. He was on the Young Ophthalmologist (YO) committee where he served for 9 years, 3 years of which were as chair. Dr. Melendez also served in the U.S. Air Force where he served as a Flight Surgeon and completed his term of service in 2020 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He also started The Juliette RP Vision Foundation (JulietteFoundation.org) in 2008, named after his mother who went blind, where they raise money for blind college students and for research grants. Dr. Melendez started his own practice, Juliette Eye Institute (JulietteEye.com) in 2020 where his focus is on Refractive Surgery performing cornea and lens based surgeries including SMILE, LASIK, PRK, ICL, RLE, and Laser Cataract Surgery with a majority of premium IOLs using the most sophisticated technologies in New Mexico. He also created his own business magazine called Ophthalmology Business Minute that is distributed to 4000 ophthalmologists in the U.S. and started the Outliers Ophthalmology Meeting in 2022. He is also publishing his first leadership book, Focus on Your Passion, not the Position later in 2022. He is passionate about education and mentoring the next generations. He was just promoted to full Clinical Professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine where he teaches medical students about ophthalmology and the business side. First in Albuquerque to implant the Light Adjustable Lens, First in Albuquerque to implant the Alcon Clareon Vivity lens, and Staar Surgical EVO VISIAN Implantable Contact Lens.

Shareef's career has focused on helping doctors increase the value and demand for elective procedures. Deeply involved with the commercial launches of VISX and Intralase, he has since advised dozens of companies and hundreds of surgeons. His new book, Beyond Bedside Manner, offers insights on enhancing the patient experience in the modern medical practice.

Experienced Director of Operations with a proven track record in Sales Leadership, Business Management, and New Business Development. I bring a unique blend of strategic oversight and hands-on operational expertise, developed through years of managing complex workflows, optimizing systems, and leading teams across fast-moving environments. As the owner and operator of a mailing and shipping business, I’ve gained deep, practical insight into every aspect of running a service-based operation—staffing, vendor relations, customer experience, financial management, process design, and growth strategy. This entrepreneurial background has strengthened my ability to identify inefficiencies, implement scalable solutions, and create high-quality customer journeys that drive loyalty and retention. I’m passionate about building strong teams, developing clear standard operating procedures, and designing performance systems that support continuous improvement. My leadership approach focuses on transparency, accountability, and empowering people with the tools and guidance they need to excel.