158 | EYEWORLD | APRIL 2019
O
UTSIDE THE OR
by Ellen Stodola
EyeWorld Senior Staff Writer/
Meetings Editor
Contact
information
Rubinate:
dr.laura.rubinate@gmail.com
L
aura Rubinate, DO,
started horseback
riding at a young age
and began competing
in equestrian jumping
competitions while in
high school, which she
put on hold until completing
medical school and getting into
ophthalmology. She continues
riding to this day, balancing
frequent competitions with
practicing ophthalmology.
Dr. Rubinate began les-
sons at a riding school when
she was 8 years old but didn't
start competing until much lat-
er. "We did small shows when
I was younger and started do-
ing more in high school when
I got my own horse," she said.
When she went to col-
lege at Cornell University, Dr.
Rubinate continued riding by
participating on the varsity
equestrian team. Competitions
ran from November through
May, and she would practice
3-4 days a week. The team
competed primarily in upstate
New York but also in Ivy
League competitions at Cor-
nell and Dartmouth.
When Dr. Rubinate went
to medical school in Fort
Lauderdale, she continued to
ride but said that it wasn't easy
to find time. "When I went
to college, we sold my horse,"
she said. "When I came home,
friends would let me ride
their horses when I was there
for the summer." In medical
school, she found horses to
ride thanks to a classmate who
had a farm. "I would go some
Ophthalmologist competes in
equestrian competitions in spare time
continued on page 160
Dr. Rubinate's son Declan with her
horse Chase
Source: Laura Rubinate, DO
About the doctor
Laura Rubinate, DO
Sibia Eye Institute
Boynton Beach and Lake Worth,
Florida
LASIK Vision Institute
West Palm Beach, Florida
