Our Doctors

Clayton Tyler Boyd, OD, joined the team in August 2023 as a VEH Doctor. He brings with him an impressive experience in the field of optometry as he has also worked closely with a multitude of innovative companies both in the USA and overseas. For many of these companies, he has served as a Lead Optometrist. He is an Oklahoma native. He obtained dual degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 2011, graduating summa cum laude, then his Doctorate of Optometry at Northeastern University of Oklahoma College of Optometry in 2015, where he was awarded the J. Pat Cummings Fellow scholarship, as well as the Outstanding Clinician award. Currently, he lives in the panhandle of Oklahoma but works in rural practices in Colorado and Nebraska, among others, where he cares for patients who travel from several hours away. He remains excited to bring his vast experience and knowledge to our patients, as he embarks on this journey in his career while utilizing all the wonderful technological advancements that continue to be cultivated. In addition to exploring new eyecare technology, Tyler spends his time hunting, learning more about leatherworking, and woodworking, and playing yard games with his wife and four kids. Dr. Boyd remains excited to bring his vast optometry experience and knowledge to our patients.

Dr. Boyette completed additional externship training in ocular disease at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM. She has special interest in the treatment of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and corneal disease. She is a board certified optometric physician. Dr. Boyette is a member of the American Optometric Association, Arkansas Optometric Association, and the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society. She and her husband, Jennings, have two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the lake, exercising, travel, and rooting for the Razorbacks.

Dr. Phillip Boykin graduated from Campbell University in 2010, and then optometry school at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia in 2014. He grew up in Eastern North Carolina and currently reside in Durham. He worked for MED out of school for 5 years and now have returned in a hybrid role: seeing patients in the triangle area half the week in person, while seeing patients all across North Carolina the other half, using our remote optometry platform. He loves being able to serve the entire state using this new technology, especially the smaller towns. He has two small children Finn, 4 and Hattie, 2 and a lovely wife Lindsay.

Undergraduate Education: University of Delaware. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry, Cum Laude, Diplomate ABO. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By providing individualized care to each patient, working together with them so that we can come up with vision solutions that work best for their lifestyle and leave them feeling confident and comfortable. Hobbies: Flying, motorcycles, tractors.

Dr. Bradley is an optometrist in East Ellijay who provides complete eye care services to the surrounding communities. She graduated from North Georgia College and Southern College of Optometry. As a licensed optometrist, Dr. Bradley provides exams, diagnoses, and treatments for all disorders that affect the eye or vision. In addition to training in eye diseases and disorders, Dr. Bradley is also trained in anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology. With this background, Dr. Bradley is trained to recognize a range of health issues, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, and hypertension. Dr. Bradley works hard to stay current on the latest eye health and vision care advances and regularly attends continuing education seminars and advanced training courses. Because of Dr. Bradley's dedication to continuing education, our East Ellijay patients receive the most modern and progressive vision care available. Dr. Bradley likes to travel and spend time with family in her free time.

Dr. Suzanne Karlqvist loves getting to know her patients and is dedicated to patient satisfaction by finding the best solution for each patient's visual needs. She wants to help each patient understand every aspect of their eye care experience. Suzanne grew up in Colorado and attended CU, Boulder before earning her Doctorate of Optometry at Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, CA. After doing her rotations in Los Angeles, Veteran Affairs in Las Vegas and Indian Health Service in Whiteriver, AZ she returned to Colorado to practice. Away from office, Suzanne enjoys running in the summer and skiing in the winter. She also enjoys exploring Downtown Denver with friends and family and likes cheering on all the local sports team.

Undergraduate Education: City University of London. Optometry School: Indiana School of Optometry. Certifications/Awards: Residency Optometrist with a specialty in Ocular Disease. 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: Gym, Cooking, Reading.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland, Baltimore County Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry Certifications/Awards: Residency in Ocular Disease Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, spending time with husband and 2 Kids

Undergraduate Education: University of Florida. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. Professional Achievements and Associations: Broward County Optometric Association; Florida Optometric Association’ American Optometric Association; President Broward County Optometric Association1982-1983; Member of the Fort Lauderdale Lions Club 1990 to present; President of the Fort Lauderdale Lions Club 1993-1994; Treasurer of the Fort Lauderdale Lions Club 2001 to present; 18 Mission Trips Central, South America, and Caribbean. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Contact Lenses. The reason I became an optometrist is: Always interested in vision and sight. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Seeing their smiles when they read those small lines on the vision chart. In my spare time, I enjoy: Gardening, fishing and my grandchildren.

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University. Optometry School: The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the American Optometric Association and Ohio Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Completed an Ocular Disease Residency at Dayton VA Medical Center. Interests include primary care optometry, specialty contact lenses and pediatrics. The reason I became an optometrist is: Vision is one of our most valuable senses and helping people live their best lives with excellence in vision care is so important. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Being able to help people see better and maintain their ocular and systemic health is genuinely rewarding and impactful. In my spare time, I enjoy: Being outdoors, traveling and spending time with family.

Undergraduate Education: Ferris State University, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. Optometry School: Michigan College of Optometry. Hobbies/Interests: Sports, Traveling

Undergraduate Education: BS Neuroscience from Brigham Young University- Provo, UT Optometry School: OD from Southern College of Optometry- Memphis, TN Certifications/Awards: Residency in Refractive and Ocular Surgery from Toyos Clinic and Southern College of Optometry- Memphis, TN OD licensure in MI, MD, PA, VA Hobbies/Interests: Living on a farm with my wife and our two children. Playing the organ for our church and the piano for our choir. Training in martial arts with my children.

Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida. Optometry School: Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? My goal is to provide personalized eye care. I hope to educate on the different elements comprising vision and ocular health. Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and 2 dogs. I enjoy reading and have recently started collecting common house plants.

Undergraduate Education: UNC Chapel Hill; Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: AOA; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Optometric Preceptor; What drives your passion for optometry? Teaching students and caring for patients in the process. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients. Hobbies/Interests: Sports swimming skiing biking as well as the arts

Undergraduate Education: Michigan State University. Optometry School: Michigan College of Optometry. Ocular Disease Residency at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? My goal is to provide quality eye care through a welcoming and personalized experience at each visit. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family and friends, watching sports, summers at the lake.

Undergraduate Education: Millersville University. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Professional Achievements/Associations: American Optometric Association & Pennsylvania Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Clinical rotation in pediatrics. What drives your passion for optometry? Experiencing the benefits of vision therapy as a child developed my interest in the field of optometry. I now look forward to helping my patients attain optimal visual health and care. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Understanding patients' goals, careers and hobbies so that we can work together to find the best plan of care. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family, friends, and vacationing at the beach!

Undergraduate Education: North Carolina State University. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 1996. The reason I became an optometrist is: helping people. My favorite part of helping my patients is: helping people be healthier and seeing their best. In my spare time, I enjoy: Needlework, Knitting, Reading.

Undergraduate Education: University of Kentucky Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry Certifications/Awards: N/A How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By providing comprehensive eye exams for adults and children. I love optometry because of the unique way we can fix patients’ visual needs and provide a positive experience for them. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, traveling, serving at church and spending time with friends and family

Undergraduate Education: Indiana University BS in Nutrition 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, medically based optometry focused on diabetic eye health, glaucoma treatment and management, early detection and treatment for macular degeneration, dry eye treatments utilizing available technology, and contact lens fitting including myopia management contact lenses. Hobbies/Interests: crocheting, movies, spending time with my family and dogs.

Undergraduate Education: UNC-Chapel Hill; Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with Honors; Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Optometry School: University of Alabama, School of Optometry, 1999; Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society; Ocular Disease Residency, 2000. Professional Achievements and Associations: NCOS; AOA; Board member, "Hope in Sight”; nonprofit organization for financial assistance for advanced dry eye treatment; Board member, Duplin County Board of Health. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Ocular Disease Residency; Primary care optometry with emphasis on management of ocular disease, with special interest in glaucoma; Contact lens service; Referrals and co-management of ocular disease, cataract surgery and Lasik. The reason I became an optometrist is: The eye is such an amazing structure! It is a joy to be able to apply my love of biology and of helping others daily. My favorite part of helping my patients is: The sense of fulfillment and satisfaction gained in being able to help others through my optometric training. In my spare time, I enjoy: I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children, snow skiing, boating, enjoying the beach and being active in my church.