Dr. Julie Conley is a pediatric ophthalmologist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. She is a clinical assistant professor at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree, where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and medical school at the University of Michigan, followed by residency at the University of Minnesota and fellowship at Children’s National Medical Center. A dedicated member of the team since her first trip as a fellow in 2014, Dr. Conley now serves as President of Casa de Luz.

Dr. Jonathan Taylormoore is an attending pediatric ophthalmologist at Children’s National Hospital. He earned his undergraduate degree at Arizona State University and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at George Washington University, and pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at Children’s National Hospital.  Dr. Taylormoore first joined the mission team in 2008 and has participated in nearly every trip since. He currently serves as Vice President and Treasurer of Casa de Luz.

Dr. Marlet Bazemore is Vice-Chief of Ophthalmology at Children’s National Hospital and Associate Professor at George Washington University. She holds degrees from Davidson College where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the UNC School of Medicine, and the Harvard School of Public Health, with ophthalmic training from the University of Cincinnati and fellowship training at Johns Hopkins' Wilmer Eye Institute. A founding member of Casa de Luz (501c3), Dr. Bazemore first joined our Puerto Plata mission in 2008 and served as President from 2015 to 2025.

Dr. Kelly Hutcheson is Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at New York Medical College and Director of Ophthalmology for Westchester Medical Center Health Network. She earned her medical degree with honors from the University of Virginia, completed her residency at the University of Florida, and completed a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at Emory University. She also holds an MBA from George Washington University, where she previously served as Associate Professor and Director of Fellowship Research at Children’s National Hospital. A passionate advocate for international care, Dr. Hutcheson established a pediatric ophthalmology department in Doha and founded Casa de Luz, leading its annual mission trips to the Dominican Republic for over a decade.

Tara Knierim, MS, MBA serves as Secretary for Casa de Luz, bringing extensive policy, governance, and organizational leadership experience to the board. Based in Portland, Oregon, Tara spent over decade as a policy analyst for the U.S. Department of Labor and is a dedicated community advocate who actively serves on the boards of local non-profits, including Waste-Free Advocates. She uses her administrative and civic background to oversee governance, board administration, and strategic outreach for Casa de Luz.

Silvia Espinal, MSN, RN, is Team Lead at Children’s National Hospital’s Ambulatory Surgery Center in Maryland. She holds degrees from Montgomery College, Stevenson University, and Jacksonville University, bringing over 18 years of perioperative experience across roles as a surgical technologist, circulating nurse, clinical coordinator, and Surgical Quality & Safety Manager. As Product Manager for Casa de Luz, she leverages her expertise in clinical operations, inventory management, and staff education to coordinate surgical supplies and trip logistics.

Dr. Sankara Mahesh is Program Director for the Ophthalmology Residency at New York Medical College and an attending physician at Westchester Medical Center Health Network. He earned his medical degree from Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, followed by ophthalmology residencies at All India INstitute of Medical Sciences as well as George Washington University Hospital. He completed fellowships at LV Prasad Eye Institute, the National Eye Institute and Wills Eye Hospital. He is a long-time mission team member. 

Dr. Shannon Grap is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and the Anesthesiology Residency Program Director at Penn State College of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine, completed her anesthesiology residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and completed a pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. As the Anesthesia Lead for Casa de Luz, Dr. Grap oversees all pediatric anesthesia and surgical monitoring during the team's annual surgical trips to the Dominican Republic.  

April Gibson is a Project Manager based in Florida with extensive experience in administrative strategy and organizational logistics. As Project Manager for Casa de Luz, April oversees administrative operations, trip scheduling, volunteer coordination, and project management, ensuring smooth planning and execution for all our mission trips and organizational initiatives.