Dr. Ruggeiro is a graduate of UC Berkeley, where she received her Doctor of Optometry

degree in 1984 and her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences in 1980. She gained special knowledge in ocular disease management from her year long residency at the Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital in Hyderabad, India. She was awarded a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Washington School of Public Health in 1991. Her training in global and community health has taught her the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles and habits and she enjoys sharing the latest insights in preventive care with her patients.

Giving back to the community is an important aspect of Dr. Ruggeiro’s professional life. She is the Co-Director of the Uplift NW Charity Vision Clinic, which provides no-cost eye exams and glasses to homeless and needy individuals in our community. She has participated and led many charity missions to Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean providing eye care to people who would otherwise not have access to this service. She is Chair of the COVID19 Task Force for Optometric Physicians of Washington, and has served on various Covid committees advising the Governor’s office during the pandemic.

She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Optometric Physicians of Washington and the American Public Health Association. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is a published author. Dr. Ruggeiro stays up to date on the latest research by attending many continuing education conferences annually. She is licensed and endorsed by the Washington State Department of Health to use diagnostic, therapeutic, oral and injectable agents, as allowed by state law. In 2021, she was awarded the Shining Star Award from Optometric Physicians of Washington for her work on Covid response for our state.

Dr. Ruggeiro and her husband Blake have lived in Seattle for almost 30 years where they raised their two children. Dr. Ruggeiro enjoys cooking, traveling and spending as much time as possible exploring nature in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.