Heroes of Orbis: Natalia Ronatowicz

Originally from Poland, Natalia has spent the past few years traveling around the world with Orbis, helping introduce simulation-based surgical training to ophthalmology residents. In that time, she has supported three training projects in India as well as one in Zambia. Natalia also joined the Flying Eye Hospital in Ghana in 2025, where she helped deliver hands-on simulation training to first-year residents and physicians at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Her work continues to take her across the globe, and in Spring 2026, she will travel to Peru, where she will meet with partners at Instituto Nacional de Oftalmología (INO) and Instituto Regional de Oftalmología (IRO) to explore how simulation training can further strengthen eye care education in the region.

With a Bachelor's Degree from King's College London and a Masters Degree from University of Cambridge, Natalia knows her way around a classroom. And as an expert in simulation training, she understands how important it is for residents to start early. She believes simulation works best before wet lab training, giving students the chance to master the basics of surgery in a controlled, low-pressure environment.

“Students learn the ABCs on the simulator,” she tells us, “So the trainers can focus on the more advanced things and not hold their hand for the entire wet lab.”

By the time residents enter the wet lab, they already understand the basic steps and flow of the small-incision cataract surgery, a crucial procedure for reducing the leading cause of avoidable blindness in communities around the world.

During her time in Ghana, Natalia also worked to identify and mentor “super users” at KBTH and KATH—local champions who can continue leading simulation training long after the Flying Eye Hospital departs. Creating experts at home ensures the program will stay within the residency curriculum for years to come.

Image gallery: Natalia in Ghana

Natalia is clear about what simulation can and cannot do. For experienced surgeons, returning to the simulator can sometimes even feel counterintuitive.

“As you progress and perfect your techniques and have a lot of live eye surgeries, it's almost like going a little bit backwards,” she explains.

But that’s because the simulator is intentionally designed for beginners. Its purpose is to teach core mechanics, build muscle memory, and instill procedural confidence—skills that translate across techniques and into live surgery.

Most students in Ghana required two to three sessions to get comfortable with the Fundamental XR platform. But once they did, the transformation in their surgical confidence was clear.

By embedding Fundamental XR’s simulation training within residency curricula at our partner hospitals, Natalia is creating lasting improvements in eye care around the world. Her dedication ensures that young doctors gain critical surgical experience earlier, so patients benefit from safer, more confident surgeons.

Outside of work, Natalia is passionate about yoga and Pilates. A few years back, she even traveled to Rishikesh, India to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training which deepened her practice. And with those skills in mindfulness and meditation, Natalia is more ready than ever to bring her expertise around the world.

We want to thank Natalia for everything she does to improve access to eye care around the world. Through her commitment to sustainable training, and Fundamental XR’s world-class equipment, Natalia Ronatowicz is truly a Hero of Orbis.