Our Care Team
Optimal, compassionate care takes a more than just a doctor. Our multidisciplinary care team includes a retinal optometrist, surgical coordinators, ophthalmic technicians, scribes, photographers, and other health professionals all working towards a common goal: to provide patient-centric care. Our care team comprises of: Clinical Care Team, Triage, Patient & Referral Intake, Financial Counselors, On-Call Physician, Language Interpreters, Pet Partners Therapy Dogs
Clinical Care Team
At CRA, we believe high-quality care is provided through investment in education. We empower our front-line team members through extensive training and development so they can make informed decisions in various medical situations. Each medical assistant is continually engaging in courses to keep up with new techniques and technologies in retina. Our staff is an extension of their physician, assisting with patient counseling and education, comprehensive examinations, and preparation for minor office procedures.
Pet Partners Therapy Dogs
We believe the human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship that improves the physical, social, and emotional lives of those living with challenging health conditions, including ocular disease. Pet Partners, a non-profit organization, brings pet therapy into our clinics to better serve our patients. We think of our registered therapy dogs as furry members of our clinical team, catalysts for reducing stress, promoting healing, and lifting spirits. Don’t miss Katie the Golden Retriever, Tino the Goldendoodle or Rosebud the Havanese at your next appointment.
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Katie, M.D.
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Rosebud, M.D.
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Tino, M.D.
Triage
Our triage team plays an essential role in providing an extra level of patient care. When a patient presents an ocular emergency, it's crucial we act fast to prevent the situation from escalating further and potentially resulting in irreversible vision loss. Our triage coordinators have worked extensively alongside our surgeons. They possess vast knowledge of the retina to assist in the diagnosis of common and complex ocular conditions. Our on-call team is available by phone 24/7, including afterhours, weekends, and holidays to address any ocular emergency our patients’ experience. Your medical and ocular history and current symptoms to quickly assess the severity and urgency of your concern. If deemed urgent, the team will collaborate with our on-call physician to provide immediate, same-day care.Call us at 303-261-1600 ext. 2100, or follow the prompts for triage.
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Rebecca Alarcon, COA
Triage Coordinator
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Elena Vasquez, COA, OSC
Triage Supervisor
Patient & Referral Intake
Our talented team of intake and referral coordinators ensure that each new patient of CRA receives the care they need. Our coordinators are liaisons between you, your referring primary care physician and/or eye doctor, and your Colorado Retina physician to convey and triage pertinent medical information and schedule you accordingly based on your symptoms and potential diagnosis. This team assists appointment coordination, medical documentation, and importantly prepares and educates each patient for what to expect at an initial appointment.![]()
Bianca Ramiez, COA
Referrals Coordinator
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Lexus Gallegos
Referral Support Specialist
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Curtis Brobst, COA, OSC
Triage and Referrals Manager
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Veronica Garcia, COT
New Patient Clinical Liaison
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Jasmine Coronado
Patient Intake Coordinator
Subspeciality Coordinators
Subspeciality coordinators exclusively handle the niche ophthalmic conditions, including autoimmune and inflammatory ocular disorders, intraocular tumors and lesions, and rare genetic disorders. Although these are comparatively small subspecialties, they have profound implications for our patients and often require complex, demanding care plans. From scheduling to ordering additional testing, check-ups, and coordination with your other healthcare providers, they’re here for you every step of the way.Subspeciality Clinics
Uveitis
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Nicole Jorge, COA
Uveitis Coordinator
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Sheila Vallejo, COT
Uveitis Coordinator
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Tamara Apodaca, COA
Uveitis Administrative Assistant
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Rachael Buhrle, OSC
Uveitis Administrative Assistant
Oncology and Genetics
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Molly Hagerty
Specialty Clinics Administrative Assistant
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Phyllis Romero
Specialty Clinics Administrative Assistant
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Rebecca Nelson, MS, CGC
Certified Genetics Counselor
Financial Counselors
As an added service to our patients, we offer complimentary financial counseling to help you understand the complex billing process. Our counselors assist in the interpretation of co-pay and drug costs, financial liability, and insurance coverage so you know your options and the best strategy to take. They are also a resource to help you navigate your options in financial assistance, including grant eligibility, customized payment plans, and sliding-scale coverage options to guarantee cost-effective care for all our patients.Contact: Call 303-261-1600 ext. 1000. Or send an email to CRAfinancialcounselors@retinacolorado.com.