Our Doctors

Education: University of Georgia 1995, Southern College of Optometry 1999. How do you help your patients? Providing a comprehensive eye exam to assess the health of my patient's eyes and make the best recommendations for each patient to provide contacts and glasses that meet their individual needs. Hobbies: I enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling.

Undergraduate Education: university of Maryland B.S. Optometry School: Pennsylvania college of optometry B.S O.D. Professional Achievements and Associations: Maryland optometric association 2019- pres. The reason I became an optometrist is: Always had a desire to help people, and I always enjoyed going to my optometrist every year. I was fascinated with all the tests and instruments he used. And I thought optometry would be a wonderful career choice. My favorite part of helping my patients is: The fact that I give them their best vision, so whatever job they perform that they can do it clearly and comfortably. In my spare time, I enjoy: I enjoy walking and listening to music.

Undergraduate Education: University of Texas. Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: Optometry degree, dean’s list, AOA. What drives your passion for optometry? Interest in eye health and sight. How are you helping patients live their best lives? I love helping patients better their quality of life with optimal vision and a compassionate attitude. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? It means allowing science and technology to advance with the current industry and trends to better our profession and patient care. How are you impacting your local community? Serving patients. Hobbies/Interests: Painting, spending time with my husband (Rahul) and daughter (Mila).

Dr. Jin Yang, OD, Ph.D., a graduate of Nova Southeastern University's College of Optometry. Dr. Yang holds a medical license in China, where she worked as an ophthalmologist for many years prior to move to the United States. Her extensive education includes a co-training PhD from Columbia University and Tianjin Medical University, and a two-year postdoctoral training at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Yang is passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise with our community. Schedule your appointment today and experience the exceptional care Dr. Yang has to offer! Education: • ChangZhi Medical College, ChangZhi, Shanxi, China 09/01-06/06, M.D • Shan Xi Medical University, Shanxi Eye Hospital Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, 09/06-09/10 Residency and master degree • TianJin Medical University, TianJin , China Co-trained within Edward Hardness Eye Institute. Columbia University, New York, USA. 09/10-07/13 PH.D. • Edward Hardness Eye Institute. Columbia University, New York, USA. 07/13- 09/14 Postdoctoral research fellow on genetic eye disease • Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, USA. 03/18-07/20 Postdoctoral research fellow on retinal disease diagnose and data analysis with retinal angio-OCT Optometry School: • NOVA Southeastern university, Fort Lauderdale, USA. 07/24-11/24 Certifications/Awards: 2024 Cooper vision’s excellence in Contact lens Award 2024 Pediatric and Binocular vision clinical excellence Award 2024 Pass with honor of all four externship rotation 2024 Member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi 2023 Broward County Optometric Association Nova grant winner 2023 American Academy of Optometry: Elmer H Eger Student Travel Fellowship 2023 Cooper vision 3rd year student contact lens scholarship 2021-2023 Beta sigma kappa international optometric honor society membership 2020 American Association of Ophthalmology travel grant 2017 Tianjin innovative young scientist award 2016 China genetic consultation licensed 2016 Chinese National Medical Science the Third Prize 2015 The first prize of Research Paper presenting at Tianjin Medical University 2013 The second scholarship of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital 2012 Certified basic science training in Columbia University 2011 The third Prize of thesis contest--The fourth annual forum of graduate and medical doctor academic meeting in Tianjin and coastal area. 2009 The second Prize of post-graduate thesis contest. Shanxi Medical University Hobbies/Interests: • Spend time with family • Swimming, hiking, dancing and cook

Undergraduate Education: George Mason University; Optometry School: Inter American University of Puerto Rico; Professional Achievements/Associations: Member of American Optometry Association, Awarded Best of Arlington Magazine 2018; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Care and Contact Lenses; What drives your passion for optometry? Helping patients to see better, knowing that each day will bring a new challenge. How are you helping patients live their best lives?: Giving them my 100% attention. 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? See better. Live better! Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and travelling

Undergraduate Education: Murray State University Optometry School: Kentucky College of Optometry Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. I also love going to the beach, listening to music, and adding to my sneaker collection.

Undergraduate Education: Eastern Mennonite Universities. Optometry School: Michigan college of optometry.

Undergraduate Education: University of Cincinnati. Optometry School: Pennsylvania 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, binocular visual dysfunctions, and ocular disease management. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, hiking, spending time with family.

Undergraduate Education: University of Scranton, BS in exercise science. Optometry School: Salus University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: graduated summa cum laude, Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Society. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary care optometry. What drives your passion for optometry? Helping people, working with father who is ophthalmologist and seeing how he helped people. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Listening to patients no matter what. How are you impacting your local community? I work with my church to serve our local community. We help the elderly get to doctors appt's and get groceries. Will try to find a new church once I move to the area! Hobbies/Interests: Artist - I like to paint, hike, play with my dogs (golden retrievers).

Undergraduate Education: Butler University. Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry. Hobbies/Interests: In my spare time I enjoy: spending time with my family, dog walks, attending church, playing tennis, exercising, being an avid Bulldogs and Hoosiers fan, cooking, and helping out in the fields on the family farm.

Optometry School: Northeastern State University

Dr. Cara Ystad is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. She is passionate about helping people see their best. In addition to providing excellent care through comprehensive and diabetic eye exams for children & adults, Dr. Ystad enjoys treating those with urgent care needs. When she isn’t helping her community see better, she likes to run, cook, read, play piano, and spend time with her family.

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Certifications/Awards: Graduated Summa Cum Laude from PCO; Clinic Excellence in Primary Care at The Eye Institute and Affiliated Patient Care Sites. Hobbies/Interests: Playing music with family and friends, keeping active outdoors, snowboarding, hunting, and fishing.

Undergraduate Education: Kenyon College, Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Minor in Anthropology. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, 2011. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the AOA and POA. The reason I became an optometrist is: I had troubles with my own eyes as a child and I always recall having a good experience with the optometrist. I was in undergrad and seeing my optometrist while home on a break and we were chatting about my next step in life - he had been seeing my family for many years - and he suggested I look into optometry. It has been a great fit ever since. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I enjoy being able to evaluate and meet the individual visual needs for each patient. Finding the right combination of factors to help patients improve their visual function can improve so many aspects of their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy: I love to be outside exploring the natural areas and hiking trails in the area. I also practice yoga and teach occasionally at a local studio.

Undergraduate Education: Boston University. Optometry School: New England College 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, and ocular disease management. Hobbies/Interests: Travelling with my husband and 2 daughters. I’m also fluent in Romanian and Armenian.