Our Doctors

Undergraduate Education: Valparaiso University, BS in Chemistry and Biology Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry, 2019. The reason I became an optometrist is: I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field, and the more I learned about eyes the more I wanted to know. I love being able to specialize in such an interesting area of health, while also helping patients improve their quality of life. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Helping improve their lives! I love seeing the reaction of kids getting a pair of glasses for the first time or finding a solution for a contact lens patient that thought they were out of options. In my spare time, I enjoy: Going to concerts, playing tennis, and spending time with my dog.

Undergraduate Education: University of NC-Greensboro Accounting and Business and University of Houston, BS in Physiological Optics. Optometry School: University of Houston College of Optometry. Certifications/Awards: Graduated Magna cum laude, Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society, American Optometric Society, NC Optometric Society, and Piedmont Optometric Society, Member of Lions Club International. I have over 33 years of experience improving my patients’ quality of life by maximizing their ability to see with eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, maintaining and educating them on their ocular and systemic health, and building lifelong relationships. Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, cooking, photography, spending time with my family and friends: husband, Johnny, adult children, Luke (Logistics Army Officer and now corporate logistics manager), and Lindsey (“Dr P.”-she is a dentist in Richmond, VA), walking my dog, Marley, exploring the great outdoors, especially on a hike, the beach or a cruise, paddle board/kayak and boating on Lake Norman, and taking care of my parents and patients.

Dr. Francia graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2008 with degrees in biochemistry and psychology. In 2012, she earned her Doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Francia completed a residency in primary eye care at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Virginia in 2013. Her areas of special interest include primary eye care and ocular disease management.

Undergraduate Education: Boston University. Optometry School: New England College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: Ocular Disease Residency / New Hampshire Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Diplomate, American Board of Optometry / Glaucoma management. What drives your passion for optometry? The opportunity to care for our community’s most important sense. How are you helping patients live their best lives? I focus on understanding the unique visual needs of my patients and then delivering the best solution based on my experience. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Identifying the ways, I can significantly help my patients and then effectively sharing the information that makes change possible. How are you impacting your local community? Delivering a valuable service to the community is the joy of my career. I have been lucky enough to serve the Merrimack community for 17+ years. Hobbies/Interests: My wife and two daughters keep me active while I am not at work. You will find us enjoying the great outdoors playing sports!

Undergraduate Education: Michigan State University - Bachelor of Science in Human Biology; Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry- Doctorate of Optometry; Professional Achievements and Associations: Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians- council member for student society, American Optometric Association, Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity-student chapter, Leadership Collierville; Clinical Recognition: Johnson & Johnson Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care. I became an optometrist to help people live their best lives. I want to partner with my patients to deliver thorough and individualized eyecare. I love being able to help my patients find solutions to their eyecare needs that may not have been discussed or offered in the past. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband, Andrew and daughter, Rigsby. We also enjoy thrifting/antiquing- you never know what treasure you might find!

Undergraduate Education: Attended Michigan State University. Optometry School: New England College of Optometry Specializing in Ortho Keratology to slow the progression of myopia in Children and Scleral Contact lenses for Keratoconus, high Astigmatism and Presbyopia. And by providing comprehensive care to all ages and ensuring the best possible visual outcome for each patient. Hobbies/Interests: Golf, hiking, and travel.

Undergraduate Education: Washington College; Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Care & Pediatrics; What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients.

Undergraduate Education: University of North Carolina, Asheville. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and ocular diseases. What drives your passion for optometry? When I was a child and could not see well, I went to see an eye doctor, and he prescribed glasses for me. That’s when I knew wanted to help people to see and live a disease-free life. How are you helping patients live their best lives? It brings me joy to help my patients attain their best vision and quality of life. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? It lifts my heart to help a child no longer struggle in school. How are you impacting your local community? By providing access to quality vision care. Hobbies/Interests: I love playing golf with my father as well as playing guitar. I also love dogs, and I have three, German shepherd, huskimo, and a Pomeranian.

Undergraduate Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I can help patients live their best lives by taking their specific needs and lifestyles into account so that I can provide the best treatment for the individual. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, spending time with family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: Queens College, NY. Optometry School: SUNY. Hobbies/Interests: animals, horses, history, and experiencing new places.

Dr. Kenny Fritz Jr. attended Cardinal Stritch University and is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. He’s an optometrist at MyEyeDr. in West Allis, WI and looks forward to serving his community with excellent eye care for of all their vision health needs.

Undergraduate Education: Angelo State University. Optometry School: University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? As a San Angelo native, I want to ensure that everyone here attains the best vision possible in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. I encourage all my patients to ask any questions they have about vision, so that they may better understand their eyes.

A New Hampshire native, Dr. Fuller graduated from The University of New Hampshire with a Biology degree in 2012. He completed his Optometry training at the New England College of Optometry in Boston. His doctoral training included externships at the VA in Manchester, NH; The Dorcester House Community Health Center; and special populations in the Boston area including low vision and pediatric communities. Dr. Fuller is interested in the management of diabetic eye disease, pediatric eye care, and glaucoma. Dr. Fuller is a member of the American Optometric Association and the New Hampshire Optometric Association. Dr. Fuller lives in Dover with his wife and two young children. Dr. Fuller is an avid golfer, Boston sports fan, and loves trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

Undergraduate Education: Texas Christian University. Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By providing comprehensive eye exams for adults and children, diabetic eye exams, contact lens fitting, glaucoma management, postoperative co-management for cataract surgery and LASIK, binocular visual dysfunctions, and ocular disease management. Hobbies/Interests: Playing with my kids, running, and cheering on TCU Horned Frogs!

Dr. Gabbard attended Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH) and was pursuing a biology degree before she was accepted into Indiana University School of Optometry in 2014. She received a Bachelor of Science in optometry in 2016 as well as her optometry doctorate in 2018. Dr. Gabbard enjoys all aspects of primary care optometry as well as ocular disease.

Gabrielle Gafford is a native of Dallas, Texas. While growing up, she spent ample time performing community service, playing sports and participating in the Girl Scouts of America where she earned her Gold Award. She completed her undergraduate degree at Rhodes College where she majored in Neuroscience while playing volleyball all four years and serving as captain of the volleyball team her senior year. After receiving her Bachelor of Science, she remained in Memphis to complete optometry school at the Southern College of Optometry (SCO). During her time in optometry school, she participated in research while taking on leadership roles in student government and the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA). She also became a student fellow for the American Academy of Optometry in 2021. During SCO’s commencement ceremony in 2022, she was awarded the Burnett Endowed Award for Student Achievement in Research for her outstanding efforts as a research assistant. In 2023, she completed a residency program at The Eye Care Center of New Jersey where she was trained in primary care optometry with an emphasis on ocular disease. During her residency, she worked closely with many ophthalmology specialties including glaucoma, retina, cornea and cataracts, oculoplastics and neuro-ophthalmology. While in residency, she was awarded the Anterior Segment Section Resident Travel Fellowship at the American Academy of Optometry conference in San Diego as a result of her unique poster presentation and research. Dr. Gafford looks forward to serving the citizens of Maryland and practicing to the full extent of her license in order to perform thorough comprehensive primary care optometry exams for patients of all ages and managing conditions such as glaucoma, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, non-exudative macular degeneration, ocular surface diseases including dry eye, and myopia management. It is Dr. Gafford’s goal to not only diagnose and treat ocular diseases and conditions, but also to provide clear and thorough patient education, giving patients the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their ocular health.

Undergraduate Education: Georgia State University, B.S. Biology with Chemistry Minor; Optometry School: Inter American University of Puerto Rico, 2018; Professional Achievements/Associations: Voted Best Optometrist in Gainesville in 2019; Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Pediatric Eye Exams (age 3+), Contact Lenses; The reason I became an optometrist is to help people see their very best! In my spare time. I enjoy cooking and playing board games. My favorite part of helping my patients is knowing they are happy with their vision. When we see better we do better!