Mónica P. González M.D.

RETINA SPECIALIST

Dr. Mónica González is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical and surgical management of complex retinal diseases. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Puerto Rico, she continued her medical education at her Alma Mater. During her medical training, she was elected member of various prestigious societies including the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and Gold Humanism Honor Society for her high academic achievements, leadership, compassion, professionalism, research, teaching, and service. She graduated among the top 10% of her medical school class and was awarded the high honors medal, leadership medal, and research award.

Dr. González then completed her training in Ophthalmology at the University of Puerto Rico where she achieved a 99th percentile nationwide rank on the in-training examination and was appointed as chief resident. Her dedication to both academic excellence and community development led to her receiving a prestigious academic scholarship, specifically awarded to promising young ophthalmologists pursuing subspecialties and demonstrating unwavering commitment to their communities.

She then pursued a fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin where she performed hundreds of surgeries alongside world-renowned faculty. Dr. González is committed to providing the highest quality of care to patients on her home island of Puerto Rico. She specializes in treating different conditions including diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, dislocated lenses, retinal vascular diseases, inherited retinal diseases, macular holes and puckers, retinal tears, retinal detachments, and floaters, among others.

To search for publications by Dr. Gonzalez, visit the National Library of Medicine website.

Victor M. Villegas M.D.

Ocular Oncologist

Retina Specialist

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

After receiving a Bachelor in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida, Dr. Villegas attended the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine with a full academic scholarship. During medical school he won Best National Research in General Ophthalmology at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He graduated among the top of his medical school class and was awarded the Academic Research Program Award. Dr. Villegas then pursued an Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Puerto Rico Department of Ophthalmology. He was appointed Chief Resident and graduated with multiple peer-reviewed clinical publications as first author.

Dr. Villegas then moved to Miami to continue fellowship training in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami. He then completed a two-year Ocular Oncology and Vitreoretinal Surgery fellowship under the direction of Dr. Timothy G. Murray, Professor Emeritus in Ophthalmology and Radiation Oncology.

After completion of training, Dr. Villegas was appointed Assistant Professor in Clinical Ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami and Joint Faculty at the University of Puerto Rico. Currently, Dr. Villegas is an Associate Professor and Residency Program Director at the University of Puerto Rico Department of Ophthalmology. He also holds academic affiliations with Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine Department of Surgery and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. In recognition of his academic excellence and commitment to education, he currently serves as an Examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, Vice-President of the Pan-American Ocular Oncology Society, and Chair of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology Young Ophthalmologist Committee. He has also served as Past President of the Puerto Rico Society of Ophthalmology. Throughout his career has played a pivotal role in the education and mentorship of national and international ophthalmologists.

Dr. Villegas is the founder of Villegas MD, with primary clinical and research interests in retinoblastoma, choroidal melanoma, and complex vitreoretinal surgery. He is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with cancer and actively participates in collaborative clinical research through the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the Pan-American Collaborative Ocular Oncology Study Group (PACOOS), and the Global Retinoblastoma Study Group. His unique combination of expertise in ocular oncology, vitreoretinal surgery, and pediatric ophthalmology allows him to provide highly specialized care for rare and complex ocular conditions that often require a multidisciplinary approach.

Dr. Villegas is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and has over 15 years of experience in research and clinical care. He has published over 85 peer-reviewed journal articles, 6 book chapters, more than 60 national and international abstracts, and serves as a reviewer for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Ocular Oncology and Pathology Journal, American Society of Retina Specialists, Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases, JAMA Ophthalmology, RETINA, PLOS One, OMICS Publishing Group, International Journal of Retina and Vitreous, International Journal of Ophthalmic Research, Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Seminars In Ophthalmology, Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine, Ophthalmology Research: An International Journal, and Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal. His career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing the field of ophthalmology through excellence in patient care, education, research, and global professional leadership.

To search for publications by Dr. Villegas, visit the National Library of Medicine website.