Glaucoma Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Decision-Making
A deep dive into modern diagnostic tools, risk assessment, and therapeutic algorithms to confidently treat glaucoma in primary eye care.
Continuing Education Speaker & Educator
Mark G. Mitchell, O.D., M.B.A.
More than 40 years spanning clinical optometry, ocular disease, academia, and healthcare management — bringing a rare dual perspective of advanced clinical expertise and the practical economics of running a modern eye care practice to every stage, delivered live online, on-demand, or in person.
Book Dr. Mitchell to Speak
Professional Biography
A rare dual perspective: clinical depth and business acumen.
Dr. Mark G. Mitchell is an accomplished optometrist, healthcare executive, and clinical investigator with more than 40 years of experience spanning clinical optometry, ocular disease, academia, and healthcare management. Dual-trained with a Doctor of Optometry from UC Berkeley and an M.B.A. with honors in finance and economics, Dr. Mitchell brings a highly valued dual perspective to the stage — bridging advanced clinical expertise with the practical economic realities of running a modern eye care practice.
His academic leadership is highlighted by his tenure as Assistant Clinical Professor and Chief of Ocular Disease at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. There, he broke barriers as the first O.D. to teach key systemic and ocular disease courses previously restricted to M.D. instructors, and he directed the university's 100-hour ocular therapeutics course. On the corporate health front, he served as Director of Ophthalmology and Chief of Optometry for The Permanente Medical Group, where he optimized healthcare operations, spearheaded Kaiser's first LASIK program, and rebuilt a diabetic retinopathy screening program into a regional gold standard.
A trusted voice in professional regulation and quality assurance, Dr. Mitchell serves as a COPE Continuing Education Course Reviewer (2023–2026) and spent over a decade as an Expert Examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. He has designed and delivered numerous state board-approved CE courses, authored cover-story articles for Optometric Management, and served as an FDA clinical trial investigator for industry giants like Alcon and Bausch & Lomb. Dr. Mitchell specializes in translating complex clinical data and business analytics into actionable, real-world strategies for primary care optometrists.
Signature Speaking Topics
Sessions built for practicing clinicians and practice leaders.
Ocular Disease & Clinical Care
Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease: From Diabetes to Carotid Occlusion
A clinical roadmap for identifying systemic health conditions through the ocular exam, focusing on coordination of care and advanced patient outcomes.
The Intersection of Primary Care Optometry and Surgical Co-Management
Practical guidelines for building a seamless, high-communication referral pipeline for cataract and refractive surgeries.
The Business of Eye Care & Practice Economics
Economics of Disease Management in Primary Optometry
How to effectively integrate comprehensive medical eye care into your daily schedule to drive practice growth and elevate patient care.
Maximizing Reimbursement for Eye Disease Services
Navigating coding, compliance, and clinical charting under complex insurance frameworks to protect your practice's bottom line.
Navigating Transitions: Strategy, Growth, and Practice Acquisition
An M.B.A.-driven exploration of independent optometry strategy, operational efficiency, and positioning your practice for eventual sale or transition.
Key Credentials & Highlights
A record trusted by boards, associations, and industry.
COPE Course Reviewer
Active evaluator of national optometric continuing education curriculum (2023–2026).
Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
Board-certified since 1988.
Academic Pioneer
First O.D. to teach M.D.-equivalent systemic and ocular disease courses at UC Berkeley School of Optometry.
National Expert Examiner
15-year tenure as expert examiner and exam item writer for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
Published Thought Leader
Cover story author for Optometric Management; textbook chapter author, Clinical Optometric Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Active Licensure
Arizona, California, and Hawaii.