Meet the OVO Team

Led by Dr. Mark Lobanoff, OVO LASIK + LENS brings together experienced surgeons and eye doctors dedicated to advanced technology, personalized care, and helping patients feel confident at every step.

Experienced Care for Every Step of Your Vision Journey

From LASIK and cataract surgery to refractive lens exchange and ongoing eye care, our team works together to provide personalized recommendations based on your eyes, goals, and lifestyle.

OVO leadership team

Dr. Mark Lobanoff, Founder and Medical Director at OVO LASIK+LENS in Minnesota
Signature Mark
mark lobanoff, md

founder
medical director

LASIK / CATARACT / IMPLANTABLE CONTACT LENS (ICL) / CORNEAL CROSSLINKING (CXL) / EYE CARE

experience

PARTNER-PRESIDENT

– NORTH SUBURBAN EYE SPECIALISTS

FOUNDER-INVENTOR

– PHORCIDES / LASIK SURGERY PLANNING SOFTWARE

FOUNDER-INVENTOR

– LOCHAN / CATARACT SURGERY PLANNING SOFTWARE

While in medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Dr. Lobanoff was deciding what field of medicine he should pursue. He rotated through the ophthalmology department and scrubbed into a cataract surgery case. The microscopic surgery was precise and beautiful. It merged patient care with advanced technology. Minutes later the patient, who had been legally blind, was able to see again. This was nothing short of miraculous and Dr. Lobanoff knew instantly that this was his calling. And thus began years of arduous training.

In 1995 he was awarded a Howard Hughes Research Fellowship and spent a year performing eye research at the National Eye Institute of the NIH (National Institutes of Health) in Washington, D.C., one of the most advanced eye research facilities in the world. From 1998 to 2001, Dr. Lobanoff trained at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he learned the latest in ophthalmic surgical techniques and post-operative care. At Emory University Dr. Lobanoff studied under two legendary pioneers in the LASIK field, Dr. George Waring and Dr. Doyle Stulting. After his ophthalmology residency at Emory, Dr. Lobanoff completed a year-long fellowship in LASIK and refractive surgery at the University of Minnesota. This is the highest level of training a LASIK surgeon can achieve. More recently, Dr. Lobanoff has become a world-renowned expert in the newest form of LASIK; Alcon’s Contoura topographic-guided LASIK. He has lectured on this new technology across the United States and Europe. Surgeons from across the U.S. travel to Minnesota to learn Dr. Lobanoff’s techniques first hand. He is currently involved in FDA research trials to make the surgery even more effective.

Dr. Lobanoff wanted to continue to push the boundaries of refractive surgery in the most advanced eye surgery center in the country, one that delivered a premium experience to patients. But it simply didn’t exist in Minnesota. His solution? He would build it himself! And thus OVO LASIK + LENS was born!

Dr. David Whiting, surgeon at eye clinic OVO LASIK+LENS in Minnesota
Signature-David
DAVID WHITING, md
SURGEON

LASIK / REFRACTIVE SURGERY / CATARACT SURGERY

experience

FOUNDER-MEDICAL DIRECTOR

– WHITING CLINIC

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

– JOFFE MEDICENTER

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

– LASIKPLUS

FOUNDER-MEDICAL DIRECTOR

– CONSULTATIVE EYE CARE

A native Californian, Dr. Whiting attended Stanford University which provided his first glimpse into eye health. There he worked for 4 years in the Department of Ophthalmology Research on therapeutic treatments for chemical burns and the development of synthetic corneas for transplantation. Discovering a keen interest in the science, he stayed on for a master’s degree through the Stanford Department of Surgery Ophthalmology.

His academic career continued at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis followed by an internship at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. At the University of Texas, Southwestern School of Medicine (,) working under the mentorship of Dr. James P. McCulley, an internationally renowned expert in corneal disease and corneal surgery, Dr. Whiting completed his surgical residency training.

Spending the initial years of his career growing a busy cataract and corneal surgical practice, LASIK eye surgery eventually was FDA approved, opening the next successful chapter of Dr. Whiting’s illustrious career. He was in the first wave of surgeons in Minnesota to perform LASIK surgery to eliminate the dependance on glasses and contact lenses. After successfully treating tens of thousands of refractive patients for a corporate LASIK company, Dr. Whiting decided in 2010 to start his own refractive surgery center, Whiting Clinic, to provide patients with a more personal, exceptional surgical experience. Unfortunately, after years of growing success, the practice underwent an unforeseen corporate acquisition resulting in the abrupt dismantling of the Whiting Clinic team (or what they would call “work family”) that helped make the clinic so special.

Over the course of 30 years of freeing the Twin Cities metro area from the dependency on glasses, Dr. Whiting has performed well north of a hundred thousand implant, refractive and LASIK procedures. As one of the pre-eminent LASIK surgeons in the country, Dr. Whiting has aspired to work with Dr. Lobanoff for some time as they both share an unrivaled passion and dedication to provide exceptional patient care resulting in remarkable visual outcomes. Even with the vast surgical experience thus far in his career, the exhilaration of the technology and the continued advancement in quality of outcomes has only made Dr. Whiting more excited to be a part of the OVO team to deliver exceptional patient care and outstanding vision correction outcomes to once again.

Martha Whiting, doctor at OVO LASIK+LENS in Minnesota
Michael-Signature
Martha Whiting, MD
SURGEON

LASIK / Refractive Surgery / Cataract Surgery / Eye Care

experience

Surgeon

– OVO LASIK + LENS

Ophthalmology Resident

– University of Minnesota

For Dr. Martha Whiting, refractive surgery is more than a profession. It’s a legacy. The daughter of renowned LASIK pioneer Dr. David Whiting, Dr. Martha Whiting brings a new generation of surgical precision, compassion, and innovation to the OVO LASIK + LENS team.

Her path to ophthalmology began early. As a child, Dr. Whiting loved detailed crafts like beading, nail art, and braiding—fine motor hobbies that, unknowingly, were preparing her for microsurgical precision. That same dexterity translated to biology labs, where she excelled at dissection and suturing, and eventually to the operating room. The technological side of ophthalmology also spoke to her background in mechanical engineering. As she puts it, “We have hundreds of advanced measurement devices at our fingertips—and the tools are only getting better.” Mentored from an early age by her father, she knew this was a field where her skills and passions could truly align.

After graduating with top honors in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Whiting earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She returned to Minnesota to complete her ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota, where she earned multiple accolades including the Best Resident Surgeon and Excellence in Patient Care awards. She was also recognized as a Rising Star by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, reflecting her growing impact and dedication to advancing patient care in ophthalmology. Along the way, she trained with leaders in cornea and glaucoma innovation, including rotations at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins and UCLA’s Stein Eye Institute.

Dr. Whiting is committed to using her skills beyond the OR. She has provided care for underserved communities through organizations like Operation Sight, and she’s led outreach programs ranging from local eye clinics in Minneapolis to international surgical missions in Guatemala. “Giving back is vital,” she says. “It keeps me grounded and reminds me why I love what I do.”

At OVO, she’s passionate about elevating patient education, improving outcomes through technology, and using AI to further refine personalized treatment plans. One of her key goals is to simplify the lens selection process for patients through clear, customized tools and simulators that build confidence and clarity. Her forward-thinking approach and deep respect for each patient’s journey make her an integral part of the OVO team.

Outside of work, Dr. Whiting enjoys laser-cut crafting, mixology, and exploring new restaurants around the Twin Cities. A true Minnesotan, she spends her free time skiing, biking, and getting out on the lake with her husband and extended family.

OVO eye doctors

Troy Loomis, Optometric Director at OVO LASIK+LENS in Minnesota
Troy-Signature
TROY LOOMIS, Od
OPTOMETRIC DIRECTOR

LASIK PRE/POST OPERATIVE CARE / CATARACT PRE + POST OPERATIVE CARE / EYE CARE

experience

OPTOMETRIC DIRECTOR

– WHITING CLINIC

OPTOMETRIST

– VA MEDICAL CENTER

OPTOMETRIST

– FOUR SEASONS EYE CARE

“One of Us”, Dr. Loomis hails from Maple Grove. Having nearsighted eyes as a child with yearly visits to the eye doctor, he developed a unique affinity for the visual sciences. He even did an extensive report on optical illusions that won an award at the 6th grade State Science Fair. Throughout his schooling, his curiosity in vision persisted. After receiving his undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Dr. Loomis pursued optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois. With small children, he returned to the Cities to raise his family and start his career in a private optometric practice specializing in primary care, pediatric binocular vision, as well as refractive surgical care. After 13 years of private practice, he left to seek other opportunities specializing in refractive surgical care, which led him to Dr. David Whiting, and the start of Whiting Clinic. Over the next decade, as the Whiting Clinic family grew, Dr. Loomis became the Director of Optometry overseeing the daily surgical management. After the unfortunate corporate acquisition of Whiting Clinic, he leapt at the chance to work with Dr. Lobanoff at North Suburban Eye Specialists. Now he is proud to work alongside Dr. Lobanoff as part of the leadership team at the world class OVO LASIK + LENS.

Michael Johnson, optometrist at OVO LASIK+LENS in Minnesota
Michael-Signature
MICHAEL JOHNSON, Od
OPTOMETRIST

LASIK PRE/POST OPERATIVE CARE / CATARACT PRE + POST OPERATIVE CARE / EYE CARE

experience

OPTOMETRIST

– WHITING CLINIC

OPTOMETRIST

– FOUR SEASONS EYE CARE

Growing up in a small town in western Minnesota, Dr. Johnson had the opportunity to personally know both of the local optometrists. Through those relationships, Dr. Johnson had the opportunity to follow Dr. Steve Beals at his optometry practice. With that experience, Dr. Johnson started to feel this may be the path for him.

After graduating with a degree in biology from Hamline University, Dr. Johnson graduated Cum Laude from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.

While earning a degree at the Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. Johnson met his wife, Eunice, who graduated in the same class. After graduation, Dr. Johnson practiced in a variety of clinics in Minnesota, providing him different experiences, including cooperate, private, as well as working in the prison system.

In 2017, Dr. Johnson was offered an opportunity to work alongside Dr. Whiting and found he enjoyed the rewards and challenges of working in refractive surgery. After the unfortunate corporate acquisition of Whiting Clinic, Dr. Johnson left the practice to work elsewhere only to find himself returning to the world of LASIK and cataracts with the exciting opportunity to work alongside Dr. Lobanoff and the fabulous crew at OVO LASIK + LENS.

Dr. Johnson lives with his wife, Eunice, and their three boys (yes it is constant chaos with 3 boys) in Plymouth. He enjoys fishing, pickleball, traveling and he suffers — like many Minnesotans — as a Vikings fan.

Margaret-Signature
MARGARET SHIPITALO, Od,Ms
OPTOMETRIST

LASIK PRE/POST OPERATIVE CARE / CATARACT PRE + POST OPERATIVE CARE / EYE CARE

experience

OPTOMETRIST

– NORTH SUBURBAN EYE SPECIALISTS

RESIDENT OPTOMETRIST

– CINCINNATI EYE INSTITUTE

Dr. Shipitalo was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota, AKA Spamtown USA. Her interest in all things eye began at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she majored in biology and minored in global health. Dr. Shipitalo continued her education at her parent’s alma mater, The Ohio State University, and graduated cum laude with her Doctorate of Optometry as well as a Master’s degree in Vision Science. Dr. Shipitalo was then selected to complete an ocular disease residency at The Cincinnati Eye Institute, a large ophthalmology referral center. There she gained further sub-specialty training, including extensive perioperative experience. After returning to Minnesota to be closer to family, Dr. Shipitalo was offered a position at North Suburban Eye Specialists, where she practiced comprehensive optometry, perioperative care in cataract and LASIK surgery, and dry eye disease treatment. This is also where she met Dr. Lobanoff and was honored to work alongside him again at OVO LASIK + LENS.

Dr. Shipitalo and her husband Steve now reside in Maple Grove, MN with their dog Obi (yes, Obi-wan Kenobi). She enjoys running and being active, reading a good book, and Minnesota summers.

ELIZABETH-Signature
Elizabeth Lepage, Od
OPTOMETRIST

LASIK PRE/POST OPERATIVE CARE / CATARACT PRE + POST OPERATIVE CARE / EYE CARE

experience

OPTOMETRIST

Extensive clinical experience in private practices, refractive surgery centers, and multidisciplinary clinics across the U.S. and Canada.

Originally from Minnetonka, Dr. Lepage grew up dancing, which instilled a lifelong appreciation for focus, precision, and connection. Drawn to the blend of science and personalization in eye care, she is passionate about how vision shapes the way we move, learn, and experience life.

Dr. Lepage earned her Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology from Miami University (OH), with minors in Political Science and Chemistry. She completed her Doctor of Optometry at Indiana University, where she served as Vice President of IUOSA, co-authored the school’s honor code, and was inducted into Beta Sigma Kappa and Gold Key International Optometric Honor Societies. Her clinical excellence was recognized with multiple awards, including the Eschenbach Low Vision Award and the VSP Clinical Excellence Award. While in optometry school, Dr. Lepage conducted research in advanced optical imaging development for early detection of diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Lepage has practiced in a range of clinical environments across the U.S. and Canada, including private practices, refractive surgery centers, and multidisciplinary clinics. She has worked closely with ophthalmologists in both countries to co-manage surgical patients and provide advanced care for complex anterior segment and ocular surface conditions. She is passionate about building trust with her patients and helping them understand their care journey from start to finish.

When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Lepage enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, cooking, and reading.

To See Your Best, See The Best!

Your vision goals are personal. Schedule a consultation with OVO LASIK + LENS and take the first step toward a treatment plan designed around you.