65 / 84
Neil Shmunes, MD, a Jacksonville native, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Medical College of Georgia in
1981. There he was inducted into the AΩA Medical Honor Society and received the Lange Medical Publications
Award. He also served as Chief Resident of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia Hospitals and
Clinics.
Since entering private practice in Jacksonville in 1985, Dr. Shmunes has been Chief of Staff, Chairman of the
Department of Surgery, Chairman/Section of Ophthalmology and on the Board of Directors for Baptist
Medical Center at the Beaches. He has been an Ophthalmologic Consultant for the Joslin Diabetes Clinic, the
PRO Reviewer in Ophthalmology for Northeast Florida and has been a Clinical Instructor at Shands
Jacksonville Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Shmunes has sub-specialty training in oculoplastic surgery and
has been performing refractive surgery since 1990 beginning with radial keratotomy. He is a clinical investigator
in Glaucoma drug research and antiviral medical research studies and donates cataract surgery to the community
through the Gift of Sight Program. Dr. Shmunes is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Association of Physicians and
Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, Florida Society of Ophthalmology (past Regional President), American
Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, International Society of Refractive Surgery, Duval County Society of
Ophthalmology (past President) and the Duval County Medical Society.
Dr. Shmunes continues to practice sub-specialty and general ophthalmology and is currently managing a multi-
specialty group (Atlantic Eye Institute) that he hopes will out live him and continue to be a resource for
northeast Florida. Dr. Shmunes is particularly interested in continuing medical education and has been an active
oral board examiner for the ABO since 1993. Patients who come to Atlantic Eye Institute can expect
personalized service from a team of refractive surgeons that has been continuously operating since 1995.
Dr. Shmunes has always maintained an active lifestyle focusing on outdoor activities. He is a strong family man
and particularly enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters .