Director of Business Development
Valerie began her career with SCO at the beginning of 2019. She has worked sales and marketing positions in Brevard County’s healthcare industry since 2006. Valerie is delighted to represent Dr. Pefkaros, Dr. Buono, Dr. Garcia and their solid team. She is excited to educate the community on all the vision services SCO provides out of their two offices, including their optical and surgery center. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Valerie has traveled to Florida her entire life and feels like it is home away from home. She made Brevard County her permanent place of residence in 2001. When not working, she enjoys listening to music and keeping busy with her husband, children and favorite rescue dog.
Insurance and Systems Specialist
Mallerie has worked side by side with Dr. Pefkaros for almost a decade. As Insurance and Systems Specialist, she is knowledgeable regarding insurance information, regulations and compliance standards. Mallerie makes sure claims, co-pays, adjustments and other billing details in the EMR are correct. She lives by her favorite quote, “Be the energy you want to attract.” Mallerie was born and raised in Titusville and grew up close to her family, who have also been in this area since the ’70s. When not managing SCO, Mallerie enjoys playing with her dog, renovating, soaking up the Florida sunshine and traveling to new places with her family.
Ophthalmic Scribe/Medical Receptionist
Miranda was born in Rockledge, FL and raised in Port St. John. She attended Space Coast High School and has played basketball her entire life. Miranda received her Medical Assistant certification and fits right into our SCO family as Dr. Buono’s Ophthalmic Scribe and also one of our medical receptionists. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and their pet dogs.
DIRECTOR OF SURGERY
Our Director of Surgery, Robyn, began working for Space Coast Ophthalmology in January of 2022. She has been an integral part of getting the new surgery center up and running. Robyn has a Master’s degree in Nursing and has 19 years of experience in Ophthalmology.
Robyn was born and raised on Florida’s East coast. She enjoys traveling with her husband and Rottweiler in their R.V., running 5k’s and 1/2 marathons and making custom stained-glass pieces.
Medical Receptionist
Shalanda has a past working in banking and for non-profit organizations, as well as medical reception for an internal medicine practice. Shalanda is excited to join us here at SCO. She loves the way the doctors are so hands-on and involved with patients. A Native Floridian, Shalanda attended Brevard Public School system. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling and working on her very own non-profit organization (Women On The Rise Inc, II) events that help our community thrive.
Ophthalmic Scribe
Kristina was born in North Carolina but grew up in Florida. She has been working in the medical field for about 8 years. Kristina has worked her way from being an ophthalmic technician to Dr. Garcia’s Ophthalmic Scribe. Prior to joining the SCO team, Kristina spent the last 2 years as a stay-at-home mom. In her spare time she loves spending time with her kids and enjoying the outdoors!
Board Certified Licensed Optician
Lauren has been in the optical industry for 18+ years and is a Board Certified Licensed Optician. She grew up in Titusville and went to Titusville High School. Lauren moved to Orlando for college and then relocated back to Titusville for work. She loves working in the optical field because she is able to provide her patients with tools that change their daily lives, improving their well-being with glasses and contact lenses.
Lauren owns a house in Titusville and loves spending her free time working on remodeling and home improvement projects. She has two children and two dogs that also keep her busy. When she’s not hanging out with her children, friends, family and pets, you can find her tending to her plethora of plants and reading books to relax.
Surgical Coordinator
To say having Savanna as part of the Space Coast Ophthalmology family is a pleasure, would not be grand enough. She has grown so much since starting with us as an Ophthalmic Technician. Savanna goes above and beyond all while exuding kindness, organization and a much-appreciated level of sensibility.
Savanna is a born native to the Space Coast. She attended Astronaut High School where she was a member of the Health Sciences Academy and graduated as a Merritt Scholar. Savanna studied Medical Coding and Billing at the University of North Florida and is a Certified Professional Coder. She has worked in the medical field ever since.
When not working at SCO, Savanna enjoys reading, golfing with her husband, and taking their three kids on trips to Disney and to their family cabin in North Carolina.
Medical Receptionist
Helena is an exciting addition to SCO and serves as one of our medical receptionists. Born in Spain, she brings a rich multicultural background and is fluent in English, Castilian (Spanish), Basque, and French. Helena has experience working in healthcare and truly enjoys interacting with patients and helping make their visits smooth and welcoming. Outside of work, she loves attending concerts, spending time with her rescued Chihuahua, and staying connected with people wherever she goes.
Lead Ophthalmic Technician
We are delighted to be reunited with Carissa. She and Dr. Pefkaros worked together about 10 years ago. Carissa is now one of our Lead Ophthalmic Technician, here at SCO. You’ll see her smiling face in both the Titusville and Viera offices.
Carissa earned her Bachelors of Science degree from UCF. She has worked as a teacher for a Montessori school as well as a Mental Health Technician. Carissa was born and raised in Brevard County, but loves to travel. She has been to Amsterdam, Italy and France. Outside of work and travel, she loves trying new places to eat with her daughter.
Ophthalmic Technician
Macey is a delightful addition to SCO and joined our team as an ophthalmic technician. She started her career off elsewhere as a pediatric medical assistant. She gets joy out of caring for our patients and making them happy. Macey was born and raised in Florida and has quite a creative side to her. When not helping our patients during the work day, she can be found reading and drawing.
Medical Receptionist
Ophthalmic Technician
You’ve seen Cassidy’s friendly face at the front desk in both Titusville and Viera. She joined SCO as a medical receptionist in August of 2023 and we couldn’t be happier!
Cassidy was born and raised in sunny Florida and graduated from Space Coast High School. She has been in the medical field for 6 years. Helping people has always been her passion. When not on the job, Cassidy loves spending time with her family and doing anything that involves being outdoors.
Lead Ophthalmic Technician
Rachel is cross trained in multiple positions here at SCO. She cheerfully performs the duties of ophthalmic technician, scribe, and reception. She was recently named Lead Technician, as well. Rachel received her associate in science degree in both Community Health Worker and Domestic Violence Services. Born and raised a Floridian, Rachel loves to travel. She also enjoys listening to music and dancing. Her and her husband, Chad, get their exercise by having weekly dance parties in their living room!
Lead Medical Receptionist
Anna is one of the first smiling faces you’ll see when you come for an appointment in our Titusville location. She has been in the healthcare field for 9 years. Anna started as a pharmacy technician. She is a big animal lover and has two cats and a dog. She enjoys spending time with family, shopping and traveling with her husband.
Ophthalmic Technician
Katy is one of our seasoned Ophthalmic Technicians and a Floridian through and through. Katy was raised in Orlando. She played basketball while growing up and then discovered surfing. She moved to Brevard County years ago to be closer to the ocean and river. When asked what she enjoys doing, besides surfing, it’s reading a book on the beach or fishing in the river.
Ophthalmic Technician
We are delighted to be reunited with Carissa. She and Dr. Pefkaros worked together about 10 years ago. Carissa is now one of our Ophthalmic Technicians, here at SCO. You’ll see her smiling face in both the Titusville and Viera offices.
Carissa earned her Bachelors of Science degree from UCF. She has worked as a teacher for a Montessori school as well as a Mental Health Technician. Carissa was born and raised in Brevard County, but loves to travel. She has been to Amsterdam, Italy and France. Outside of work and travel, she loves trying new places to eat with her daughter.
Medical Receptionist
You’ve seen Cassidy’s friendly face at the front desk in both Titusville and Viera. She joined SCO as a medical receptionist in August of 2023 and we couldn’t be happier!
Cassidy was born and raised in sunny Florida and graduated from Space Coast High School. She has been in the medical field for 6 years. Helping people has always been her passion. When not on the job, Cassidy loves spending time with her family and doing anything that involves being outdoors.
CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
A self-proclaimed “workaholic,” Donna has been in the medical industry for 15 years. She studied to be a CST at Brevard Community College and is also an EMT. Donna joined SCO when our office-based surgery center opened in May of 2022.
Born and raised in Titusville, Donna enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 dogs when she is not scrubbed into a surgery. Her favorite pastime is playing pool on a local league.
Pre-Op Coordinator
Kaitlin joined the SCO surgery center team with 6 years of nursing experience under her belt. She was born and raised in Titusville, but has lived in both England and Las Vegas, NV while serving in the Air Force. Kaitlin was married in 2010 and has two children. She enjoys time with family and friends riding their side by side, their hunting lease, and spending time in the Keys on the water, where her husband is from.
O.R. Manager
We are so pleased to welcome Danielle to the SCO family as O.R. Manager of our new surgery center. She comes to us with 10 years of nursing experience.
Danielle was born and raised in Mims and graduated from Daytona State college in 2011. She was married in 2014 and now has 2 daughters and 2 fur babies.
When not managing the SCO surgery center, Danielle loves spending time with her family. They hunt, enjoy boating, swimming in their pool, and watching movies in their home theater!!
CERTIFIED SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST
A self-proclaimed “workaholic,” Donna has been in the medical industry for 15 years. She studied to be a CST at Brevard Community College and is also an EMT. Donna joined SCO when our office-based surgery center opened in May of 2022.
Born and raised in Titusville, Donna enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 dogs when she is not scrubbed into a surgery. Her favorite pastime is playing pool on a local league.
Ophthalmic Technician
Kristina was born in North Carolina but grew up in Florida. She has been working in the medical field for about 8 years. Prior to joining the SCO team, Kristina spent the last 2 years as a stay-at-home mom. In her spare time she loves spending time with her kids and enjoying the outdoors!
Ophthalmic Technician
We are delighted to be reunited with Carissa. She and Dr. Pefkaros worked together about 10 years ago. Carissa is now one of our Ophthalmic Technicians, here at SCO. You’ll see her smiling face in both the Titusville and Viera offices.
Carissa earned her Bachelors of Science degree from UCF. She has worked as a teacher for a Montessori school as well as a Mental Health Technician. Carissa was born and raised in Brevard County, but loves to travel. She has been to Amsterdam, Italy and France. Outside of work and travel, she loves trying new places to eat with her daughter.
Medical Receptionist
Ashely was born in California and has lived all over the world with her dad in the Air Force, yet she likes to claim Florida as her home. Her last job in human resources was in Utah, but we are thrilled she moved back to the Space Coast and joined us as our medical receptionist. You will see her smiling face at the front desk of Titusville’s office (and occasionally Viera’s too).
Ashley was married in April of 2022 and is expecting her first child this fall. She has a passion for all dogs, but especially loves her own. When not working, Ashley enjoys going to the beach, hiking, camping and painting.
Licensed Optician
Julie obtained her Florida license in 1998. She is nationally certified by the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners. Julie very much enjoys her social interaction with the patients, as well as helping them with all of their vision needs. Her childhood was spent in Ohio but she’s been a Brevard County resident now for 30 years. When not assisting SCO patients, Julie fills her time with family and friends, enjoying good food and traveling to new places.
Ophthalmic Technician
Jennifer is an Ophthalmic Technician who works in both the Viera and Titusville offices. You may see her working at check-in and check-out occasionally, as well. She was born and raised in Florida and has been in the ophthalmology field since 2014. Prior, she worked in the banking industry. When she’s not fulfilling her role for SCO, Jennifer enjoys family time doing activities like skating, football, and watching movies.
