Ricardo Q. Guimarães, MD, PhD.

Dr. Ricardo Guimaraes is the founder and Executive President of the Hospital de Olhos de Minas Gerais – Clinica Dr. Ricardo Guimaraes. He is a PhD and a board certified ophthalmologist. He has been at the forefront of ophthalmology's evolutionary changes throughout his career, as a recognized researcher, teacher, inventor, lecturer and acclaimed physician and surgeon.

A graduate of “Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais” in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, he became specialist in ophthalmology and continued on to complete his Ph.D. in France at Strasbourg, then in Paris and later on in London. After his sejour in Europe he was granted with a research scholarship for Georgetown University in Washington DC. In Washington he developed projects of research at Georgetown and National Institure of Health under the supervision of Prof. Michael Lemp.

Upon receiving a special invitation from the Brazilian Government Dr. Ricardo returned as an Assistant Professor to the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. His private practice started with Clinica Dr Ricardo Guimaraes, which led the growth and expansion of a medical team that became one of the largest individual private eye clinics in Brazil. In a second stage, Dr. Ricardo conceptualized the Hospital de Olhos de Minas Gerais for delivering eye care in Belo Horizonte, a state-of-the-art ophthalmic clinical and surgical facility, internationally known by its leadership in clinic, surgery and research in ophthalmology.

During his career, Dr. Ricardo created, collaborated and/or introduced many innovations in ophthalmology. He was a pioneer in many developments and has designed and named after a number of surgical instruments that are used in clinical practices globally.

A frequent lecturer throughout the world on Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery, he has presented lectures and keynote societies in Brazil and abroad. A gifted writer, Dr. Ricardo serves on a number of editorial boards, including Highlights of Ophthalmology and Medical Editor for Ocular Surgery News for Latin America. He has edited the first book on Refractive Surgery in Brazil and collaborated in others in Brazil, USA and Europe His professional affiliations are extensive, including Brazilian Society of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, International Society of Refractive Surgery (where he served as elected director). The International Implant Club, International Club of Refractive Surgery (Director) and Brazilian Society of Refractive Surgery where he served as President.

Among his citizenship honorary recognitions he received the Honorary Citizenship Title from the Chamber of Representatives of the cities Nova Lima and Unaí. He has received recognition (Silver Medal) from the Federação Mineira de Fundações de Direito Privado – FUNDAMIG for the work developed by the Fundação Hospital de Olhos de Minas Gerais. He also acted as counselor of the State Board the Ethics in Medicine (CRMMG) after being elected by his peers during 5 years.

Since 2001, he expanded his interests into the areas of entrepreneurial and business activities accepting the position as the Health Committee Chair Person in the American Chamber of Commerce in Belo Horizonte. These new activities and interests, along with his privileged relationship to his clients, many of whom, high ranked authorities in politics, business and public affairs favored an environment of well grounded relationships. In the international level, his position in the American Chamber of Commerce, his fluency in many languages such as French, English and Spanish, his living experience in Europe and North America, knowledge and experience in negotiations and as a frequent international traveler has made him a requested counselor and mediator in private and government business.
He is married and has 4 children. His wife for 28 years, Marcia Reis Guimaraes MD PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Embryology and Pathology at the Universidade de Sao Paulo and Universidade Pitagoras and invited professor of several universities throughout Brazil. The older daughters attend respectively, Medical and Law Schools and the two younger ones, secondary schools. All of them are fluent in English and the older ones also in Italian and Spanish. Based upon their own personal and professional experiences, their children attended international schools receiving a broader overview of the world’s cultural, historical and political aspects.

He is now serving as Honorary Consul of Canada in Minas Gerais, President of Hospital de Olhos de Minas Gerais, Medical Editor of Ocular Surgery New for Latin America. He also serves as member of the board of the council of Health School – Universidade Pitagoras, Brazilian Institute of Marketing Economy (IBMEC), Fundação da Associação Comercial de Minas Gerais and American Chamber of Commerce. He is now President of HOLHOS Foundation and Director of Hospital de Olhos de Minas Gerais.