Our Doctors

Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida; BA Business Management. University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry; BS Physiological Optics. Optometry School: University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry; OD Doctor of Optometry 1976. Professional Achievements and Associations: Diplomate American Board of Optometry; Fellow American Academy of Optometry; Member, Past Chairman Florida State Board of Optometry; American Optometric Association; Florida Optometric Association; Lake Region Optometric Association. The reason I became an optometrist is: Growing up our family’s Optometrist, Dr Louis Johnson, inspired me to learn more about the profession. My favorite part of helping my patients is: The lifelong relationships that have developed while providing excellent eye and health care and then becoming the trusted eye doctor for the future generations of their families. In my spare time, I enjoy: Practicing golf and playing with friends and in tournaments. And, of course, any family activity with my wonderful wife, Debby, and our 3 sons.

Dr. Peck received her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry. She completed her internship studies at Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has practiced optometry for over 33 years. She grew up in Brownsville, Texas and is fortunate enough to have most of my family in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Her son graduated from John Paul II High School in Plano, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2018. Her husband Mike, from southern Minnesota, is a financial broker with Morgan Stanley. He reached his dream of being a professional baseball player when he was drafted out of high school into the major league baseball system where he spent 15 years playing with the Cardinals and Orioles.

Born and raised in Western New York, Nicole Pederson earned her B.S. degree in biology from Niagara University and her Doctor of optometry degree from NOVA Southeastern University. She completed externships at Katzen Eye group in Baltimore, Maryland and the Wilmington VA in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Pederson is passionate about personalized, patient-centered care that is tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family, walks with her dog, reading, gardening, and live music.

Undergraduate Education:  Ferris State University. Optometry School: Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I enjoy the variety that primary care optometry provides. I enjoy spending time getting to know each patient so I can optimize their specific needs. Hobbies/Interests: Sports, being outside, spending time with my wife, Aubrey, and our dog, Jackie.

Undergraduate Education: Birmingham-Southern College; Optometry School: UAB; Professional Achievements/Associations: Beta Sigma Kappa National Honor Society, Birmingham Area Optometric Association, American Optometric Assoc, AL optometric Assoc.; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Eye Care, Contact lenses, Ocular Disease; What drives your passion for optometry? Helping others. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Helping our patients achieve their best vision. 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? Giving back and serving the community. Hobbies/Interests: Biking, outdoors, and golf

Undergraduate Education: Villanova University - BS in Biology. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry – 1998. The reason I became an optometrist is: To help people see as best as they can see! My favorite part of helping my patients is: Getting glasses or contact lenses that help them see like they've never seen before. In my spare time, I enjoy: gardening and reading.

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science from Millersville University; Optometry School: Doctor of Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Current and past member of the American Optometric Association and Pennsylvania Optometric Association; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Patient-Oriented Primary Eye Care; What drives your passion for optometry? I love the daily interaction with patients from all walks of life. Also the challenge of getting every patient to see their best. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By listening to their needs and providing them with the best options available. How are you impacting your local community? Previous member of Rotary Club and Susquehanna Association for the Blind. Hobbies/Interests: Avid soccer fan and my favorite hobby is walking our golden retriever with my wife every morning.

Dr. Peters specializes in eye care for the entire family including contact lenses, ocular disease and sports vision. He graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (Salus) in 1988 and completed his undergraduate work at West Virginia University. He is the author of the book, “See To Play: The Eyes of Elite Athletes” and co-author of the “See To Play Vision Concussion Protocol”. He is the team eye doctor for the NC Football Club, the NC Courage and Carolina Mudcats. He has also been the team eye doctor for the NHL Carolina Hurricanes (and has a Stanley Cup ring to prove it!), the Durham Bulls, the USA Baseball team, the Carolina Cobras arena football team, the NC State Wolfpack teams and several local high school teams. His work has been published in many professional journals and he has lectured nationally. Dr. Peters plays guitar and is in a contemporary service band at his church.

Undergraduate Education: University of Texas at Dallas. Optometry School: University of Houston College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I enjoy developing long lasting relationships with my patients and their families while providing excellent comprehensive eye care. Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time with my wife and 4 children (22,19,16,10). We spend most weekends supporting our youngest children at the hockey rink and volleyball court. We love the outdoors and enjoy cycling when weather permits.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maine, Orono, ME- Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology. Optometry School: MCPHS Optometry School. Professional Achievements/Associations: Master’s in public health from MCPHS. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Board Certified Optometrist- NBEO, NBEO ISO Certified, Licensed Optometrist in the State of Massachusetts, BLS/CPR Certified. What drives your passion for optometry? To help people achieve their optimal ocular and visual health. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Tailoring patient care and treatment based on patient's individual needs to optimize their visual and ocular potential. 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? I serve on the board of the Memorial Foundation for the Blind, a private charitable foundation that provides funding to those organizations in Worcester County that serve the needs of persons with visual impairments. Hobbies/Interests: working on my family farm, spending time with my family.

Undergraduate Education: Loyola University Chicago; Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Contact Lenses, Primary Care; What drives your passion for optometry? I love that instant gratification of a patient putting on their first pair of glasses and seeing the difference. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By helping them achieve clear vision and comfort, so they can focus on their everyday tasks with ease. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Having a connection with my patients that translates into being their lifelong doctor. How are you impacting your local community? By living and working in the same town, it allows me to connect with my patients outside of work. Hobbies/Interests: History, Travel, Argentinian Tango, Historical Fiction, Indie Films

Undergraduate Education: Saint Xavier University. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry (2013). The reason I became an optometrist is: It always seemed like a profession in which I would be able to have a meaningful impact on a patient's day to day life. So much of what we do in life is impacted by how well we see. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Finding a solution to a problem that they are having with their eyes or vision. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my children and family. Outdoor fun, crafts, amusement park and museum visits.

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.