Doctors & Staff
Carol E. Marusich, OD, MS, FCOVD
Dr. Carol Marusich graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1981 after completing her Masters Degree in Sensory Physiology at Northwestern University in 1975. As a fellowship trained Developmental Optometrist with the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), Dr. Marusich has served as Chair of the International Examination and Certification Board for COVD.
Dr. Marusich has been recognized as Optometrist of the Year by the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association and the Great Western Council of Optometry for her contributions to the community and the profession, and has served as President of both. A former Lane County Woman of the Year, Dr. Marusich was the 2006 Named Gift Honoree for the American Association of University Women and a recipient of the People First Award. The National Academy of Practices Distinguished Practitioner Award places her among the top 150 Optometric Clinicians in the country.
Dr. Marusich currently serves on a number of boards in Optometry and in the community, and holds an adjunct faculty position for the Pacific University College of Optometry. She lectures locally, nationally and internationally on infant vision, the connection between vision and learning, and vision rehabilitation following stroke and brain injury.
Click here to download Dr. Carol Marusich’s full resume
Robin E. Bautista, OD
Dr. Robin Bautista was born in Agana, Guam, USA where his father was stationed in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Bautista was raised in Springfield, Illinois and moved to Lakewood, Washington, where he graduated from high school. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at the University of Portland and his Doctorate in Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. Clinical externships emphasized the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease and functional vision in adults and children; Low Vision for the partially sighted; and Vision Therapy for vision development and rehabilitation.
During four years of hospital based practice with the United States Air Force, Dr. Bautista served as Optometry Element Chief at Pope Air Force Base in North
Carolina. Dr. Bautista also served as the Aircrew Soft Contact Lens Program Director and the Corneal Refractive Surgery Program Director. While stationed near Fort Bragg, Dr. Bautista was an active volunteer with the Salvation Army and for the Air Force Assistance Fund. As a physical training leader, he discovered a passion for running that he looks forward to pursuing here in Eugene.
Dr. Bautista is an active member of the American Optometric Association; the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association; and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the international certifying board for the diagnosis and treatment of vision-based learning problems, strabismus, amblyopia, and acquired brain injury in children and adults.
Dr. Bautista and his wife, Molly, recently moved back to her hometown of Eugene to raise their two children. Together they enjoy hiking, traveling, sports, the arts, and sharing time with family.
Penelope: Vision Therapist / Vision Therapy Center Director
Penelope’s Masters Degree in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education, Bachelors Degree in Art Education, and over twenty-five years experience teaching children and adults from pre-school through college, provide a tremendous foundation for vision therapy. Penelope is board certified in Optometric vision therapy, and brings her artistry and enthusiasm to her work with patients of all ages. When not in the office, Penelope can be found offering presentations throughout Oregon on topics related to child development and vision and learning, as well as performing as a professional storyteller for audiences of all ages.
Click here to download Penelope’s full resume
Juliet: Vision Therapist
Since 2003, Juliet has been a Vision Therapist in centralFlorida. She moved back to the West coast in 2012 to be closer to herCaliforniaroots. Juliet graduated from the Universityof California at Santa Barbara in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Pre-Med minor. She has been a member of theCollegeofOptometryin Vision Development since 2005. Vision therapy has always been a part of her life, however, as her father is also a Developmental Optometrist. Her passion to make positive change and to enrich the lives of those around her drives her both professionally and personally. Juliet’s free time is spent with her husband and daughter exploring nature, dancing, reading, enjoying the theater arts, and soaking up all the magnificence life has to offer.
Rachel: Optician
Rachel has over 20 years experience working as a licensed optician in Washington and here at Lifetime Eye Care as one of our American Board Certified Opticians. Rachel’s knowledge, enthusiasm and broad optical experience mean that our patients benefit from the best possible care and guidance for their glasses and vision needs. When not visiting with patients, Rachel can be found enjoying her grandkids and puppies.
Stephanie: Optometric Technician
Stephanie was born and raised in Minnesota. She recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a major in Environmental Studies. She is looking forward to pursuing a Masters in Early Education at Pacific University in Eugene. To compliment her interests in education, she has become the newest addition to our Vision Therapy department where she is training to become a Vision Therapist. Stephanie brings a wealth of experience to the clinic and to the Vision Therapy Department, having worked as a technician, optician, receptionist, optical lab technician, and in billing since 2006. Stephanie’s expertise and enthusiasm for helping patients during testing, especially children, is contagious and appreciated by all. In her free time, Stephanie is passionate about community outreach and loves bicycling, cooking, and gardening.
Kailee: Optometric Technician
Kailee grew up just west of Eugene and joined the Lifetime Eye Care team after completing her degree in Human Physiology at the University of Oregon. She has many years of experience in healthcare as both a records specialist and a Physical Therapy Aide. Kailee recently returned from a 6-month study abroad trip toSouth Africawhere she discovered her passion for working with kids. When not in the office, she can be found reading, spending time with her family, or training for her first half-marathon.
Kelly: VT Center Patient Care Coordinator
Kelly has over 15 years of customer service experience which serves her well as our Vision Therapy Center patient care coordinator. Kelly really enjoys working closely with patients and getting to know their families and it shows in her attention to detail and creativity in managing therapy schedules to meet everyone’s needs. Kelly also enjoys spending time with her family and enabling full growth potential in her vegetable garden.
Linda: Lifetime Eye Care General Manager
Linda is our go to person – and yours! With over 30 years experience in medical accounts (billing, coding, credentialing, workman’s comp, etc.) and practice administration, she is always happy to assist patients, staff and doctors with insurance and account questions. When not sharing her expertise, you can find Linda camping, in the garden or on the links.
Evie: Billing Specialist
As a Graduate of Pioneer Pacific College with a degree in Medical Billing & Insurance Coding, Evie provides the diligence and tenacity necessary to make sure that your insurance is verified and the business office is running smoothly. Since joining Lifetime Eye Care in 2006, her caring personality has been very much appreciated by our patients as well as every member of our team. She is always ready to help. Some of her favorite activities outside of work include spending time with her kids camping, hiking, and most of all hearing their laughter.
Dawn: Patient Care Coordinator
Dawn just completed her Associates degree in Healthcare Administration and comes to us with years of experience in office administration and customer service.
Chelsea: Patient Care Coordinator
Chelsea Roberts is one of our Patient Care Coordinators at Lifetime Eye Care. She is a native Oregonian—in fact, a direct descendant of Elijah Bristow, one of the area’s earliest pioneers. Her past jobs have been primarily in medical offices, where she has filled the roles of receptionist, office clerk, and records management specialist. Chelsea is an English major pursuing a teaching career and an aspiring novelist. She is fun loving and friendly, with a welcoming smile. Her passions include reading, writing, dancing, spending time with her family, and chasing after her one-year-old daughter.