Meet Dr. Bottaro
Dr. Nicholas Bottaro is a highly accomplished Refractive Cataract Surgeon and Comprehensive Ophthalmologist with a remarkable journey of dedication and achievement.
Completing his residency in General Ophthalmology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine: Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point Residency, Dr. Bottaro has cultivated a profound expertise in cataract surgery and comprehensive ophthalmology. However, his journey didn’t stop there. After obtaining dual bachelor’s degrees in biochemistry and cellular physiology, he pursued higher education at the Lake Erie College of Medicine. Here, he graduated with distinction, earning his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration.
Dr. Bottaro’s passion for restoring vision and curing blindness ignited during his two years working alongside some of the world’s foremost surgeons before his residency. His commitment to excellence is palpable in his practice, where patient comfort and satisfaction are his top priorities. Driven by integrity, honesty, and expertise, he is constantly at the forefront of innovative technologies and methodologies aimed at enhancing his patients’ lives.
Continual learning is a cornerstone of Dr. Bottaro’s professional ethos. He has delved into the medicinal benefits of alternative treatments, including cannabis medicine, and now serves as the program director for one of the nation’s pioneering Masters in Cannabinoid Therapeutics programs, offered at one of the largest medical schools in the country.
Outside his clinical work, Dr. Bottaro is unwavering in his commitment to medical outreach. Since 2006, he has undertaken mission trips to Jamaica, Honduras, and Haiti, where he not only provided cataract surgery but also established an orphanage and medical clinic, touching countless lives in the process.
Born and raised in Manchester, Connecticut, Dr. Bottaro made Florida his home in 2012. When he’s not in the operating room or studying, he cherishes quality time with his wife, daughter and three sons, engaging in recreational activities like boating, scuba diving, and fishing. Dr. Bottaro’s dedication to his profession, his patients, and his family paints a portrait of a compassionate, forward-thinking, and multi-faceted individual who truly embodies the essence of a modern medical pioneer.
EDUCATION
- Residency in General Ophthalmology, USF Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
- Internship in Internal Medicine, St. Petersburg General Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL
- Masters in Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Lake Erie College of Medicine, Bradenton FL
- Masters in Healthcare Services Administration, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL
- Bachelor of Science, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH
- Bachelor of Science, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
- DocMJ – Greatest Contribution to Service 2018 Physician’s Award, Education Award 2019
- Class of 2016 Humanitarian and Outreach Award
- Student Ambassador Scholarship
- Academic Excellence in Healthcare Administration
- Sigma Sigma Phi Osteopathic Honors Society
- Florida Medical Education Dean’s Conference Invitation
