Mariya Bozhenok, P.A.

Mariya began her medical career in 1997 in Russia, actually earning her MD (Doctor of Medicine) Degree from Crimea State Medical University. She soon moved to Peru and began work as an Emergency Room Physician treating a number of health problems and traumatic injuries for 8 years before moving to Fort Myers. After living in SWFL and loving the lifestyle, she decided this was where she would stay. She quickly began pursuing her Physician Assistant education at Miami-Dade College. The additional two year degree provided her with a year of rotations throughout the Miami hospital system. After completion of her Physician Assistant Degree she returned to SWFL and worked with Eye Centers of Florida once located in Fort Myers where she specialized in eye and retina care for 3 years before deciding to join the Malkani Retina Center team in 2015. She is fascinated by eye care and passionate about Ophthalmology.

Since joining our team, Mariya has really grown her passion for working with patients with eye care needs, especially retina related conditions. Many retina conditions we treat can lead to blindness, such as Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy. Having the chance to help patients who are losing their vision, slow the progression of retinal disease, and even sometimes restoring vision in some cases is why she loves working in ophthalmology. 

“Giving people hope about not losing their vision, making a huge difference in patients' lives, and giving vision back is so satisfying!”

~ Mariya Bozhenok

Over her 25 years of medical experience, she has been able to help many retina patients and her knowledge and compassion shows in the works she does here at Malkani Retina Center. 

Outside of work, Mariya dives into the Florida lifestyle, enjoying all the outdoor and water activities Fort Myers and Naples have to offer. Some of her favorite activities are paddle boarding, kayaking, and cruising up and down Sanibel on her bike, enjoying nature and the beaches of SWFL. She says that even when given the choice, she would never live anywhere other than the Fort Myers and Naples area. SWFL is truly her home and we are thrilled to have her.