Our Doctors

Undergraduate Education: LeMoyne College; B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry - class of 2006. Professional Achievements and Associations: Regional Clinical Field Director - VA, MD, WV; Top Doctor - Northern Virginia Magazine February 2019; Member of AOA, VOA, NVOS. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Primary care, contact lenses, disease management, pediatrics, LASIK pre- and post-op care, Residency in Ocular Disease at Wilmington, DE VA Hospital, MiSight certified. The reason I became an optometrist is: I always loved the combination primary health care, optics and helping people, which is what optometry is. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Working with the patients to figure out their specific visual and eye health needs to find the best solutions for them, not only on their first visit but also year after year. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my family, Playing sports, Going to the beach.

Undergraduate Education: Virginia Tech, Bachelor of Science in Biology; Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association, Southern Council of Optometrists, Armed Forces Optometric Society (formerly); The reason I became an optometrist is because as a teen in high school, I was very involved in photography and always interested in health care. I suppose this correlation with the visual system ultimately led toward my choosing optometry as a career. It truly became an art and science vocation. My favorite part of helping my patients is knowing that I have successfully met their visual and eye health needs and concerns to the best of my abilities with genuine empathy for all. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, reading, golf , travel and Hokie sports.

Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, Optometrist. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Board Certification. Primary Care Residency at Nova Southeastern University The reason I became an optometrist is: Wanted people see better. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Satisfaction of the positive impact I have on their daily lives. In my spare time, I enjoy: Traveling

Undergraduate Education: Brigham Young University, B.S. Microbiology Minor Psychology; Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Honors Pediatrics Module - The Eye Institute Philadelphia, AOA, NCSOS, Piedmont Optometric Society; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Sports Vision Section AOA, Certified Corneal Refractive Therapist; What drives your passion for optometry? Providing the gift of sight to enhance people's quality of life and building lifelong relationships. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Genuine, honest care for their entire well being. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you?: Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients, How are you impacting your local community? Member of Lions International at Southpark Lions, Free Eye Care at Lions Eye Clinic, Part of my Church Community; Hobbies/Interests: Family, Soccer, Sports Enthusiast, Travel, Clinic Missions, Service, Humanitarian

Undergraduate Education: I attended Ferris State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Vision Science, Summa Cum Laude. Optometry School: I graduated in 2015 from the Michigan College of Optometry with a Doctor of Optometry degree, Summa Cum Laude. Professional Achievements and Associations: I am a member of the Indiana Optometric Association and American Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: I am licensed to practice optometry and prescribe medications in the state of Indiana. I also maintain a controlled substance regulation certificate. I enjoy practicing full scope optometry, but I have a passion for pediatrics. The reason I became an optometrist is: I believe that vision is our most important sense. Being able to preserve, protect, and enhance the way my patients see the world is an amazing experience. I was originally drawn to optometry because it is one of the few healthcare fields that really allows you to spend time with and get to know patients. Because of that extra time, I can better serve patients. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I love the connections I get to make with my patients. I have met so many wonderful and inspiring people. Every day brings new challenges and new relationships. In my spare time, I enjoy: I love to spend time with my husband, Dan, our daughter, Amelia, and our dog. Any moment I can be outside, I take full advantage. I also enjoy cooking.

Undergraduate Education: Penn State University. Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By delivering quality eye care in an environment that patients feel comfortable returning to in the future. Hobbies/Interests: spending time with family, reading, traveling.

Undergraduate Education: Auburn University; Optometry School: UAB School of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Member of the AOA, ALOA; What drives your passion for optometry? It started with my family’s eye problems and has expanded to a desire to serve the greater community’s eye care needs. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By providing the best vision and eye wellness I can, I believe patients can better live their lives to the fullest. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? It means understanding my patient’s needs and working together to find the best solutions for their eye care needs. How are you impacting your local community? Through delivering excellent eye care and staying engaged, I can help my community to be the best it can. Hobbies/Interests: Golf, cooking, and college sports

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland at College Park; Bachelor of Sciences. Optometry School: Interamerican University School of Optometry; graduated 2004. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association. The reason I became an optometrist is: I developed a fascination with optometry due to my childhood issues with myopia. The optometrist was my favorite doctor to visit. Always left the office seeing better and feeling more confident. I work hard to ensure that my patients leave feeling the same. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I enjoy problem solving and helping people achieve their best vision through a holistic and empathetic approach. In my spare time, I enjoy: Running, hiking, spinning, and spending time with my family, especially at the beach.

Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida. Optometry School1: Nova Southeastern University. Professional Achievements/Associations: American Optometric Association, Georgia Optometric Association, Delta Mu Delta Business Honors Society. What drives your passion for optometry? Having patients understand what it means to have their eyes relax, after never having done so their entire life. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Reducing strain, fatigue, headaches, migraines, and glare is not just about taking medications. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? When the patient returns with a family member and says “He does it differently, he teaches you, and it’s amazing.” Hobbies/Interests: I have a wife and two dogs. In our spare time we like to explore towns and cities.

Undergraduate Education: University of Western Ontario. Optometry School: New England College of Optometry.

Undergraduate Education: Palm Beach Jr. College/ FAU. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. Certifications/Awards: The University of Miami School of Medicine & Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/ Acanthamoeba Keratitis, Pediatric Cataracts, Post-Keratoplasty Management. Visual Health & Surgical Center/ Medical and Surgical Management. NSU/ Certificate of Completion for Systemic Medication. DEA Certification. 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, and Glaucoma/ ocular disease management, Special keratoconus Treatments.

Undergraduate Education: University of Waterloo, Canada, BS in Biomedical Sciences; Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Master of Science in Low Vision Rehabilitation; What drives your passion for optometry? I am fascinated by the difference glasses can make in one's life. How are you helping patients live their best lives? I love helping people see clearly and showing them what good vision should be. I like learning about my patients’ vision problems and figuring out how I can make a difference in improving their quality of life. It’s gratifying to know that I’ve made it easier for someone to read a book or see a loved one. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Improving a person's overall health by getting them to the right provider if damage from systemic conditions noted.

Undergraduate Education: Georgia State University; Degree: Bachelor of Science. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Georgia Optometric Association; American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control; Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Primary Care, Pediatrics, Myopia Management, Contact Lenses, Ocular Disease, Cataract Evaluations, LASIK Evaluations; Ocular Disease and Ocular and Refractive Surgery Residency at Woolfson Eye Institute; Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program Certification for MiSight Contact Lenses. The reason I became an optometrist is: because I have a strong passion for helping others live their best lives through better vision. My favorite part of helping my patients is: being able to find personalized solutions for all of their visual needs and/or eye health issues. My goal is: to give every patient the best eye care possible and to make a difference in the overall quality of their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy: spending quality time with my husband and children, traveling, hiking, exploring the outdoors, cooking and yoga.

Undergraduate Education: Geneva College. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By performing eye exams for people of all ages and needs including contact lenses, glaucoma, dry eyes, and diabetic eye care. Especially specialty contact lens needs such as keratoconus, corneal disease, and orthokeratology for myopia management. Hobbies/Interests: Sports, music, travel, and spending time with family.

Undergraduate Education: University of Waterloo; Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Illinois Optometric Association, American Optometric Association; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Care; What drives your passion for optometry? Helping patients see clearly and educating them of the importance of their eye health is extremely rewarding! How are you helping patients live their best lives? I like to customize my recommendations to each patients visual needs based on their work environment and their hobbies. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients. How are you impacting your local community? Whenever the opportunity arises, I like to volunteer my time to improve my local community. Hobbies/Interests: Exploring all the exciting things Chicago has to offer!

Undergraduate Education: University of North Dakota. Optometry School: Pacific University College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: Beta Sigma Kappa National Honor Society. What drives your passion for optometry? I've wanted to be an optometrist since I was 13 years old. So, I am daily living out my childhood dream. Since graduating in 1999, I still love taking care of my patients' individual needs. How are you helping patients live their best lives? I often say I cannot do a person's work for them, but I can make it easier for them to do their work by meeting their individual visual needs. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? A transformational eyecare experience happens when a person's quality of life is improved by what we prescribe and recommend, and then they refer people to us and come back year after year. How are you impacting your local community? Not only do I help with patients' visual needs, but I have seen many of these people for years, and we become like family. Sometimes I am just a listening ear. Hobbies/Interests: I love traveling and experiencing wine. I enjoy watching baseball, especially when it involves my kids.

Dr. Christianson, a native of Latrobe, attended Washington and Jefferson College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He earned his Bachelor's of Science in Vision Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from The Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Philadelphia. Dr. Christianson’s training included multiple site externships including a rotation at a VA hospital in New Jersey and The Eye Institute in Philadelphia. When Dr. Christianson is out of the office, he is spending time with his wife and two children, golfing, running or enjoying his local sports teams.

Undergraduate Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Dr. Chu enjoys seeing patients of all ages for their comprehensive eye exams while providing personalized care for each patient. Hobbies/Interests: Attempting to play golf, trying to keep up with my son and daughter, photography cooking and traveling.