Our Providers

Mark Kislinger, PhD, MD

Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Mark B. Kislinger, PhD, MD graduated magna cum laude and Phi Betta Kappa from Berkeley. He majored in math and physics and won the award for top undergraduate in physics. Dr. Kislinger received a PhD in Physics from Caltech where he worked with Nobel prize winner Richard Feynman. He was on the faculty of the University of Chicago and the Enrico Fermi Institute for six years before going to medical school at the University of Miami PhD MD program, which accepted only 18 students per year.

Sara Haji Abdollahi, MD

Retina and Vitreous Specialist

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Sara Haji will be joining our staff at Foothill Eyecare Institute. Sara Haji Abdollahi, MD is a board certified Vitreoretinal Specialist at Foothill Eye Institute. She has been practicing in Los Angeles Area after completing her vitreoretinal training at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. She received her medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed her ophthalmology residency at University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Dr Haji was born in Tehran, Iran and is fluent in Farsi. She lives in Pasadena with her family.

Rui Zhang, MD

Rui Zhang, MD is a comprehensive and pediatric ophthalmologist specializing in pediatric and adult strabismus, glaucoma, cataracts, and various other ocular conditions.

Dr Zhang received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan and was a member of the prestigious phi beta kappa honor society, graduating summa cum laude. She completed both her medical school and ophthalmology residency at Case Western Reserve University, where she served as chief resident from 2015-2016. She then completed her pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. Dr Zhang has been involved in many research projects in the fields of cornea, glaucoma, and pediatrics and presented at various meetings such as the Association for Research in Vision and ophthalmology and Academy of pediatric ophthalmology. Dr. Zhang welcomes both pediatric and adult patients for her practice.

George Takeda, OD

I have served as a medical optometrist for the Foothill Eye Medical Group for the past 20 years managing and co-managing the whole spectrum of medical conditions that can occur at a busy comprehensive ophthalmology office. My main emphasis though is in glaucoma and diabetic eye care. I have been glaucoma certified since 2004 and Therapeutic Prescription Authority certified since 1998 in the state of California.

I attended California State University at Fullerton for my undergraduate studies and Illinois College of Optometry at the Illinois Eye Institute for my Optometry degree. Currently, in addition to my duties as a clinician, I speak for Allergan and Alcon on their glaucoma medications all along the west coast. I also sit on the advisory board for the annual Allergan glaucoma meeting in Costa Mesa.

Dennis Sugiyama, OD

Vicky Pai, MD

Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Laser Cataract Surgery
MIGS: Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery

Vicky Pai, MD is a comprehensive ophthalmologist at The Foothill Eye Institute. She grew up in Maryland and came to Los Angeles to obtain her undergraduate and medical degree at UCLA. She then completed her ophthalmology residency training at Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. During her time at UCLA she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. She also participated in research with the distinguished faculty at UCLA.

Dr. Pai specializes in treating cataracts, glaucoma, pterygium, dry eye disorders, ptosis, age related macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. She has performed over 3,000 eye surgeries. She has been recognized as one of the Top Doctors in Pasadena Magazine and is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients.

Ron Gutmark, MD

Ron Gutmark, MD is a board-certified cornea, cataract and refractive surgery specialist. He graduated with honors from Stanford University and attended medical school at Johns Hopkins. As a medical student, he was awarded a prestigious Doris Duke research fellowship. He remained at Johns Hopkins to complete his ophthalmology residency at the world-renowned Wilmer Eye Institute. Dr. Gutmark obtained further sub-specialty training at the Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego in Cornea and Refractive Surgery. After fellowship training, Dr. Gutmark was a faculty member in Ophthalmology at the University of Michigan.

He currently practices as a comprehensive ophthalmologist and corneal specialist at Foothill Eye Institute and Eyenez Eye Institute. He is trained in the most advanced corneal and refractive procedures, including corneal crosslinking and LASIK. He also has significant experience with both traditional and laser cataract surgery as well as complex cataract surgery.

Savannah Baril, MD

Dr. Savannah Baril is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist specializing in oculoplastic and orbital surgery. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and North American Skull Base Society.

Dr. Baril was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She went on to complete her undergraduate degree at Barnard College, Columbia University, and her graduate degree at the London School of Economics. She earned her medical degree from Duke University and completed her residency in ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She then completed her fellowship established by Dr. John Kennerdell in Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Baril's clinical interests include a wide variety of oculoplastic disorders including the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers of the eyelids, trauma involving the eyelids and orbit, eyelid malposition, tearing disorders, and orbital disease secondary to tumors, infection, and inflammatory conditions such as thyroid eye disease. She also sees patients interested in cosmetic treatments.

Jacques Botkin, OD

Dr. "Jacques" joins Foothill Eye Institute with extensive experience. With a BS from Loyola University of Chicago and an OD from Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. Botkin was also his graduating year's recipient of the Low Vision Award and participated in an internship at the New York Lighthouse for the Blind. Having served his patients in Florida while utilizing his fluency in Spanish, French, and English for many years, he now brings his positive energy and expertise to the San Gabriel area and the State of California where he is a Board Certified Optometrist.

Traveling, gardening, hosting and celebrating with his large family, and living in close proximity to his children and grandchildren are some of Dr. Botkin's multiple interests outside of his professional career

Dr. Dennis Sugiyama is a board certified optometrist at the Foothill EyeCare Institute.

B.A. University of California Los Angeles, CA
OD, Southern California College of Optometry Fullerton, CA
Residency, Geriatric Hospital Based Optometry West LA, CA
Residency, Veterans Affair Medical Center Los Angeles, CA