Our Physicians

Melissa L. Black, O.D.
Melissa L. Black, O.D. - SunCoast Founder and Optometrist
Dr. Melissa Black is a residency trained board-certified optometric physician who has been providing comprehensive eye care in Venice, Florida for over 20 years. She practices compassionate eye care, which includes full eye examinations, diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease, surgical co-management, contact lens fitting, and emergency care.
Originally from Maryland, Dr. Black earned her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Maryland, College Park. She then went on to complete her doctorate with clinical honors from Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She is a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa honors fraternity. Following graduation, Dr. Black was chosen for a residency position at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
Dr. Black lives in Osprey with her husband, Scott, their daughters, Madelyn and Hannah and their dogs, Bradley, Zoey, and Lola. In her spare time, Dr. Black enjoys tennis, boating, and spending time with her family and friends.
Professionally, Dr. Black is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Florida Optometric Association. She is committed to providing the most comprehensive eye care to her patients.
Certification
National Board Certified
Therapeutic Management of Ocular Disease Certified
Honors & Awards
Clinical Honors, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Member, Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society
Alma Boden Scholarship Recipient
Licensure
Florida State Board Certified with Therapeutics

Stephanie Ross, O.D.
Dr. Ross O.D. - Optometrist
Dr. Stephanie Ross is a residency trained board-certified optometric physician who provides a wide-range of comprehensive eye care services to patients at SunCoast EyeHealth in Venice, Florida. Such services include complete eye examinations, contact lens fittings, diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease, co-management of ocular and refractive surgery and emergency eye care.
Originally from Massachusetts, she moved to Florida prior to her junior year of high school- where she graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She then went on to complete her Doctorate of Optometry at the Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in Memphis, Tennessee where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She is a member of Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society. During her time at the SCO, she earned several clinical and academic excellence awards. Upon completion of her optometric degree, she pursued a highly competitive ocular disease/ocular and refractive surgery residency at Newsom Eye in Tampa, Florida.
Dr. Ross currently lives in Sarasota with her husband, Jared, and their son, Beckham. On her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, kayaking and dancing.
Honors and Awards
Summa Cum Laude Honors, Southern College of Optometry
Member, Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society
Dr. Earl Lusk Endowed Scholarship Recipient
Excellence in Ocular Disease Dr. Mohammad Rafieetary Academic and Clinical Excellence Award Recipient
Review of Optometry Award Recipient
2nd Year Clinical Award for Academic Excellence Recipient
Licensure:
Florida State Board Certified with Therapeutics
Bilingual: English and Portuguese