Our Doctors

Dr. Ellen Petrilla graduated from Ohio University with degrees in Psychology and Biology and University of Houston, College of Optometry. During Optometry school, Dr. Petrilla worked in a Neuro-Ophthalmology practice, where she assisted in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. Her patient care experiences at this neuro-ophthalmology clinic led to an article being published in the Review of Optometry and a new-found dedication to supporting patients with Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, Dr. Petrilla did an internship at the Queen Victoria Hospital in England. During her rotation, she assisted in the pre and postoperative care of corneal transplant patients and had the opportunity to treat other corneal anomalies. Her training in England allowed her the chance to see and be a part of a medical care system outside the U.S. Dr. Petrilla dedicates her spare time to the National MS Society and the Tennyson Center as a Child’s Advocate against child abuse and neglect. She also has donated her time and medical services in 3rd world countries, such as Nicaragua. Her other hobbies include hiking, skiing, painting, and art collecting.

Undergraduate Education: University of Texas at Austin Optometry School: University of Houston College of Optometry Certifications/Awards: Hobbies/Interests: Hanging out with my dog, hiking, traveling, and dabbling in random arts and crafts.

Dr. Richardson "Rich" Pham received his Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Houston. He continued at the University of Houston College of Optometry where he earned his Doctor of Optometry in May of 2021. He completed his externship training at The Community Eye Center in Fort Worth treating the underserved areas of downtown and the Cherokee Nation Indian Health Services through Northeastern State University College of Optometry. He is licensed as a Therapeutic Optometrist and as an Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. Dr. Pham enjoys all types of family practice including pediatric, adult, geriatric, specialty contact lens, and ocular disease management. He’s a member of the Texas Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, Houston Sports, Working out, Hiking, and Reading

Undergraduate Education: University of Houston, Bachelor of Science with a Minor in Chemistry; Optometry School: University of Houston College of Optometry, magna cum laude Honors; Professional Achievements/Associations: Master of Science in Physiological Optics in the combined OD/MS program: Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Licensed Therapeutic Optometrist and a certified Optometric Glaucoma Specialist; What drives your passion for optometry? Her passion comes from being able to equip patients with the knowledge to protect their eyesight and overall health. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Her goal is to ensure that each patient has a thorough understanding of their ocular health. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring that every patient has a solution tailored to meet their needs. How are you impacting your local community? She finds joy in treating and building relationships with patients within the community that she grew up in. Hobbies/Interests: Dr. Pham loves watching movies and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

Undergraduate Education: University of Denver. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: Fellowship, American Academy of Optometry. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Residency in Ocular Disease and Low Vision.

Undergraduate Education: Indiana University, B. S. Biology; Optometry School: Indiana University, School of Optometry; In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, playing guitar, golfing and wine with friends. My favorite part of helping my patients is trying to give better than expected vision for them.

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from Clemson University. Optometry School: University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry. Certifications/Awards: BLS and CPR. How are you helping your patients live their best lives? By listening to my patients’ typical activities, I can help to prescribe glasses or contacts best suited for what they like to do with the clearest vision possible. Hobbies/Interests: In my free time, I enjoy hiking or walking with my dog, climbing, snowboarding, and playing video games.

Undergraduate Education: Carthage College. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: American Association of Public Health Student of the Year, Association of the United States of the Army Honor Award. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: General Optometry and LASIK. What drives your passion for optometry? Caring for the patient's vision as well as their whole being. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Providing a quality eye exam while also assessing their health needs. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Not only providing an eye exam for glasses and or contact lenses but explaining the total exam experience to the patient as it relates to their overall health. How are you impacting your local community? Staying involved in local associations which provide charitable services. Hobbies/Interests: Grandchildren, Golf and long walks.

Undergraduate Education: Birmingham-Southern College; University of Alabama at Birmingham-B.S. in Physiological Optics. Optometry School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry-1988. Professional Achievements and Associations: 2018-2019: President, American Optometric Association; 2001-2002: President, Alabama Optometric Association; 1997-1998: Clinical Examiner, National Board of Examiners in Optometry; 1996-1997: President, Birmingham Area Optometric Society. Awards and Honors; 2012: Alabama Optometric Association Optometrist of the Year; 2010: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry Alumnus of the Year. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: General family eye care and co-management of various ophthalmic surgeries. The reason I became an optometrist is: The world is a beautiful place and I want to do all I can to help people see it. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Making a positive impact in their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy: Traveling and trying new cuisines that I have never had before.

Undergraduate Education: DePauw University; Bachelor of Science. Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry; Doctor of Optometry. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the American Optometric Association, Indiana Optometric Association, Central Indiana Optometric Society, Graduated Summa Cum Laude DePauw University, Graduated Magna Cum Laude Indiana University School of Optometry. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: TMOD; NBEO; Refractive Surgery Co-Management consultant; Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease management; Contact lens; Primary Care. The reason I became an optometrist is: I became an optometrist because I wanted to pursue a challenging medical career in which I could help people live their best lives. Providing patient care is a blessing and a privilege. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Partnering with the patient in providing comprehensive eye care solutions for their every day and long-term needs. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with Family and Friends, Traveling, Horseback riding, working with our apple orchard/agri-entertainment business.

Undergraduate Education: University of Houston; Bachelor of Science. Optometry School: University of Houston College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Providing comprehensive eye exams for adults and children, diabetic eye exams, and contact lens fittings. Hobbies/Interests: Travel, photography, and Hockey.

Undergraduate Education: State University of New York at Geneseo, B.S. Biochemistry. Optometry School: The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Virginia Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Advanced Practice Fellowship in Cornea and Contact Lenses. The reason I became an optometrist is: I enjoy helping others and have always been fascinated with the eyes and vision. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Improving vision and managing eye health to enhance quality of life. In my spare time, I enjoy: Travel; Sports.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland College Park 1969. Optometry School: Illinois College OF Optometry 1974. Certifications/Awards: Past President of the Maryland Optometric Association. Past Chairman of the board of the Maryland Optometric Association. Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Biking, spending time with family.

Undergraduate Education: Brigham Young University; B.S. in Business Finance. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry; Graduated 2002. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Henderson County Board of Health Member. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Training in Scleral Contact Lens Fitting. The reason I became an optometrist is: I come from a family of Optometrists. We have 3 generations of family in eye care. There have been 7 Poole Optometrists and 1 Poole that is training to be an Ophthalmologist. Having good vision improves every aspect of our lives. I love what I do. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Solving vision problems to help them live better lives. In my spare time, I enjoy: Backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and traveling.

Undergraduate University: Emory University. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. How I am impacting my local community and helping patients live their best lives: For the past 35 years I have been providing the greater Miramar community with comprehensive eye examinations for adults and children, diabetic eye exams, contact lens evaluations, binocular vision dysfunction assessments and ocular disease management. Hobbies/Interests: Golf, pickleball, reading, travel.

Dr. Julie Poteet received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia and her Doctor of Optometry degree from The New England College of Optometry. Upon completion of her residency with the Brockton and West Rosbury VA Medical Centers in Massachusetts, she worked with one of Harvard’s top ophthalmology professors in private practice in Peabody, Massachusetts. After returning to GA, Dr. Poteet has worked in private practice in the Acworth area and completed a Masters of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. Pediatric Vision care is also a passion of Dr. Poteet’s as she believes in the value of treating the whole child and removing any barriers that prevent them from achieving their fullest academic potential. Dr. Poteet is an active member of the American Optometric Association and the Georgia Optometric Association. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society.

Undergraduate Education: B.A. from Alma College (Alma, MI), graduated 2000. Optometry School: Michigan College of Optometry, graduated 2006 . Professional Achievements and Associations: Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry; Fellow in the Scleral Lens Education Society; Diplomate and Ohio Ambassador for the American Board of Optometry; Member Gas Permeable Lens Institute Advisory Board; Member American Optometric Association; Member and former Governor Ohio Optometric Association; Editorial Board of the journal Optometry Today (India); Drs. Wechsler and Mertz Contact Lens Residency Award; Beta Sigma Kappa National Optometric Honor Society Silver Medal Award; Selected as an "Outstanding female leader" in Vision Monday newsmagazine 2006; Selected as one of the "Most influential women in optometry" in Vision Monday 2018; Selected as a 2018 CooperVision "Best Practices"; 2016 Toledo City Paper "Best of Toledo - Eye Doctor" finalist; Numerous professional publications including as a columnist in Contact Lens Spectrum ("GP Insights"). Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Cornea and Contact Lens Residency, with a focus in specialty contact lens fitting completed 2007; Paragon CRT/orthokeratology certification. The reason I became an optometrist is: To take a love for science and health and translate it through patient care to help improve people's lives and contribute to my community. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Helping patients understand their ocular conditions and the importance of eye health so that they can have a lifetime of good vision. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my family (two children), writing, vegan baking, playing piano.