Rob is a graduate of Kent State University, where he attained his bachelor’s degree in business administration while studying economics and business management. Although he enjoyed his work, he didn’t find his true professional passion until he discovered The Vision Development Team. It was when his own daughter, who at the time was a patient in our practice, began training her vision that Rob was able to see firsthand, as a father, the impact that vision therapy made in his daughter’s life. Soon after, he began his training to become a vision therapist. Rob started his career with the Vision Development Team in 2011.
Within a couple of years of working as a vision therapist he knew, there was no going back and that he had found his professional purpose. Rob eagerly completed the scholarly requirements and achieved the prestigious status of becoming a certified optometric vision therapist (COVT) in 2013.
Now Rob volunteers as a mentor for others, around the country who are working to achieve their certification in vision therapy. Rob also serves as a presenter for the Realeyes Program, in local schools, to teach children about their vision. Realeyes is a classroom education program created by the Ohio Optometric Association through a grant from the Ohio Department of Health Save Our Sight Fund. Additionally, he often helps his community by volunteering for the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Reunion and Autism Speaks Walk.
Rob has been married to Courtney RN, BSN for twenty-five years and they have two beautiful adopted children Madelyn and Morgan, and two K-9s Bella and Brooklyn. As a family they enjoy walking and hiking in the Cleveland Metro Parks and attending their children’s sporting events.
Rob’s passion for life experience occurred at age twenty-eight when he was diagnosed with stage four lymphatic cancer. After winning a yearlong battle, he changed from a sedentary lifestyle to an ironman triathlete, Boston Marathon qualifier and finisher and completed the Mohican one-hundred-mile trail run in 23:03. Courtney and Rob have been racing for almost 30 years.
When talking to Rob, it is common for him to mention how grateful he is for the opportunity to work as a vision therapist. In Rob’s words: “Helping people actualize their goals and developing a bonding relationship with each person are my objectives. Changing lives is my goal. Who could ask for a better career!”