our doctors

PAUL M. PETELIN JR, MD

Surgical Director

Born and raised in Arizona, Dr. Petelin is a second generation physician who has been in private practice in Arizona since 2001.

• Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology
• University of Arizona (MD)
• Emory University, Atlanta, GA (Ophthalmology)
• DurrieVision Refractive Surgery Fellow

Dr. Petelin prides himself on highly personalized care within the backdrop of over 30,000 cases’ worth of experience. He has been recognized locally for 21 consecutive years as a Phoenix Magazine “Top Doctor” as voted by his peers. Nationally, he is featured annually in both Castle and Connolly and America’s Best Doctors. He is entering his eleventh season as the on-field team ophthalmologist for the Arizona Cardinals. He holds as his greatest achievement the continued trust he earns daily with his patients.

Dr. Petelin lives in Scottsdale with his wife Jessica and four beautiful children. Outside of the office, he’s all about family, friends, and the occasional round of golf.

Joseph Schmitz, MD

Dr. Joseph Schmitz is a board-certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist with a wealth of clinical and surgical experience. With a professional tenure spanning over a decade, Dr. Schmitz has adeptly performed and imparted surgical guidance to ophthalmology trainees across a broad spectrum of procedures, including LASIK, PRK, SMILE, ICLs, refractive lens exchanges, cataracts, intraocular lens exchanges, pterygium excisions, micro-invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), trabeculectomies, and glaucoma drainage devices.

Dr. Schmitz graduated Cum Laude from University of California, San Diego with a Major in Economics and minor in Organic Chemistry. He then began his 23-year Naval career with commissioning into the Navy in 2001. He attained his Medical Degree from the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He was honored with election to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and as Class of 2005 Valedictorian. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the Navy Medical Center San Diego and Glaucoma fellowship at UCLA Stein Eye Institute.

Post-fellowship, Dr. Schmitz transitioned to a faculty position at the Naval Medical Center San Diego Ophthalmology Department. He served in numerous leadership roles including Department Chairman. Dr. Schmitz is an accomplished researcher with multiple peer-reviewed publications and has served as an article reviewer for peer-reviewed scientific journals. He has had surgical videos featured by the American Society of Cataract Refractive Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.  Dr. Schmitz is an assistant professor for Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Loma Linda University.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Schmitz is deeply committed to humanitarian causes, lending his expertise to surgical eye missions globally, including in Panama, Belize, Fiji, Sri Lanka, and aboard the US Navy’s hospital ship, USNS Mercy. He currently fulfills the role of medical director for annual mission trips to Sigatoka, Fiji, organized by Benevolent Missions International. In his leisure time, Dr. Schmitz cherishes moments spent with his wife, Kati, and their five children, particularly watching and coaching their many sporting endeavors.

Dr. Eugene Shifrin

Medical Director

Petelin Vision is proud to announce that Dr. Eugene Shifrin has joined our practice, bringing with him, his vast knowledge and experience, as well as his high level of patient care.

Dr Shifrin believes that excellent patient care starts with a doctor’s ability to listen and understand the needs of their patients, and is a firm believer that establishing a trusting “doctor / patient” relationship is paramount and essential—leading to better outcomes.

Dr. Shifrin was one of Arizona’s first Board Certified Optometrists and is known for his desire to bring his patient’s leading edge eye care, while exceeding the expectations of both patients and referring doctors alike.

Dr. Tara Ransdell

Dr. Tara Ransdell grew up in northern Minnesota. She did her undergraduate studies at University of North Dakota, while playing on the women’s basketball team. From there, Dr. Ransdell moved to Chicago, to attend the Illinois College of Optometry. In 2000, she graduated from ICO and took a position with Kirk Eye Center in River Forest, Illinois.

While in Chicago, Dr. Ransdell developed a love for running and ran her first of 18 marathons on the streets of Chicago. In 2003, she moved to Glendale, AZ with her husband, Dr. Jason Ransdell. In 2004, their daughter, Jordan, was born. Dr. Tara Ransdell purchased Peoria Eye Care in 2005, which is now Petelin Vision. All of the Ransdells enjoy competitive sports and now enjoy playing golf together as a family.

Dr. Jason T. Ransdell

Dr. Jason T. Ransdell was born and raised in northern Minnesota. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Colorado State University before graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry in May, 2001.

Dr. Jason competes in local triathlons and mountain bike races when he isn’t seeing patients. He recently completed Ironman Arizona and has finished the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race the past 3 years in Leadville, CO.

Dr. Jason worked at a local cataract and laser center for 4 years before joining our practices. He brings extensive knowledge about Lasik and cataract surgery to the practice. Dr. Jason also performs routine eye examinations for glasses and contacts, as well as the treatment and management of diseases, such as Glaucoma, Diabetes, Macular degeneration, etc.

Dr. Jason lectures in the western United States on dry eye treatment, and is a consultant to Allergan and Inspire Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Joe Myers

Dr. Myers is originally from Michigan. He attended Michigan State University and continued his education at the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University. Dr Myers completed internships in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Pawnee, Oklahoma, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. After finishing optometry school in 2006, he moved to Arizona to complete a residency in ocular disease and primary care at the Indian Health Service in Sacaton, AZ. Since completing his residency, Dr. Myers also obtained his fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry in ocular disease and is a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Myers has presented many times to physicians on various eye conditions, and you may have seen him on local TV stations educating about eye health. He has also enjoyed teaching optometry students across the nation in a clinical setting, and has worked in many different eye care settings over his career, seeing patients and treating a large array of ocular anomalies. 

DR. RICHARD KALINA

Dr. Kalina joined Petelin Vision in 2022 and has more than 24 years of experience in clinical patient care. He specializes in cataracts, retinal conditions, post-operative surgical care, glaucoma, dry eyes, diabetic eye care, and ocular disease. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, earning his MS in vision science research and MPH in healthcare organization and policy. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and was awarded the AZOA President’s Award in 2014. His expansive interests have resulted in being a research investigator for multiple studies and clinical trials. In addition, he has extensive experience in tear film chemistry and dry eye translational research focused on clinical products and pharmaceuticals for the ocular surface.

Dr. Rebecca Firouzi

Dr. Rebecca Firouzi grew up in Tucson, AZ. She received her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Brigham Young University in Utah. Her vision of providing eye care led her to begin working as an optician at 18 years old, and she continued working throughout her entire undergraduate studies. She then moved back to Arizona to attend the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University, where she graduated with honors through the Beta Sigma Kappa optometric honors society. She won the Eschenbach student award for providing high quality care to patients with low and impaired vision. Dr. Firouzi gained experience in primary care as well as ocular disease management while completing clinical rotations in both Arizona and Idaho, and has experience working at Indian health services in Laveen, AZ. She is passionate about treating dry eye, managing ocular disease, and forming connection and trust with her patients. In her spare time, Dr. Firouzi enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband and corgi.