Our Doctors

Undergraduate Education: Georgia State University, B.S. Biology with Chemistry Minor; Optometry School: Inter American University of Puerto Rico, 2018; Professional Achievements/Associations: Voted Best Optometrist in Gainesville in 2019; Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Pediatric Eye Exams (age 3+), Contact Lenses; The reason I became an optometrist is to help people see their very best! In my spare time. I enjoy cooking and playing board games. My favorite part of helping my patients is knowing they are happy with their vision. When we see better we do better!

Dr. Gambacorta studied at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA where he earned his Doctor of Optometry. He has treated numerous patients in 30+ years as an eye health specialist, from children to seniors, and is highly regarded by his colleagues for his knowledge and experience. Professional Associations: American Optometric Association, New York State Optometric Association, Western New York Society of Optometrists.

Dr. Michelle Gambacorta received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. She received her Doctorate of Optometry at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Gambacorta provides outstanding care to patients of all ages in a primary care setting with emphasis on ocular disease. Outside the office, she is spending time with her family enjoying Buffalo snow storms in the winter and boating on Lake Erie in the summer. Go Bills!

Undergraduate Education: Augustana College; Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry; What drives your passion for optometry? The greatest moments in your life always come from affecting other people's' lives. Optometry give me away to do that. How are you helping patients live their best lives? We are the touch point for our patients to be made aware of incredible new technologies. They can rest assured that we will always connect them to the newest technology that applies to their quality of life. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? You have to connect your patient with the best solution for them, which changes all the time. An adjustment of what they have repeatedly done for years rarely affects anyone's life. I love to find the new tool that fits their needs perfectly. How are you impacting your local community? I have been a varsity football coach for the local high school for decades. My hope; to affect my players in a way that gives them direction in life, not football. Hobbies/Interests: Ride my wave runner until my legs fall off, and they have.

Undergraduate Education: University of Virginia; Optometry School: New England College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: American Optometric Association, Massachusetts Society of Optometrists; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Care, Contact Lenses, Ocular Disease; What drives your passion for optometry? The ability to meet, interact, and help treat patients so they can see, look, and feel their best! How are you helping patients live their best lives? My goal is to listen closely to each patient's concerns, work with them to formulate an individualized treatment plan, and bring their world into focus to improve their everyday. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? An experience in which the patient feels comfortable, cared for, and confident that their eye care needs are being addressed and well taken care of. How are you impacting your local community? Although new to the area, I am enjoying meeting new members of this community and supporting the surrounding local businesses. Hobbies/Interests: In my spare time I enjoy traveling, cooking new recipes, indoor cycling, and yoga.

Undergraduate Education: North Carolina State University. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Treating every patient as if they are my favorite family member. Hobbies/Interests: spending time with people I love, peanut butter whiskey, vacation, collecting sunglasses.

Undergraduate Education: Kennesaw State University. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I love helping patients understand the basics about their eye health and vision and the different options that are available to them in the form of prescription glasses, contact lenses, and/or medications. I provide comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages and contact lens exams for patients starting at age 8. I am Spanish/English bilingual and find it rewarding helping patients whose primary language is Spanish. Hobbies/Interests: My time outside of the office is usually spent with my wife and 3 daughters. We enjoy visiting all the different parks around the beautiful state of Georgia (our home for over 20 years now).

Undergraduate Education: University of Florida - Bachelor's in Biology. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry – 2017. Professional Achievements and Associations: FOA; AOA; LROA. The reason I became an optometrist is: To help people live their best lives. As an undergraduate student I traveled to Haiti to work in an eye clinic and was able to see the benefit of helping people see clearly, sometimes for the first time in decades. Now, I'm humbled by the opportunity to serve our community daily. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Being of service. I find it fulfilling when I get to help members of our community. In my spare time, I enjoy: Traveling with my wife, visiting with friends, catching a game or two.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland College Park. Optometry School: SUNY State 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: Reading, skiing, spending time with family and friends, watching the Terps and Caps.

Dr. Omar D. Garza received his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston in 1999. His final year of optometric education included externships in Madrid, Spain, and the Spokane U.S. VETERANS MEDICAL HEALTH CENTER. He also practiced for a brief time in Washington State following his graduation from Optometry school. In 2001, Dr. Garza returned to South Texas, where he was born and raised. Dr. Garza was a government contractor for the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (USAF). Dr. Garza was the head clinical optometrist for the Flying Class I (FCI)and Medical Flight Screening (MFS) programs at BROOKS CITY BASE in South San Antonio. His tasks included comprehensive ophthalmologic and refractive examinations for all potential and future USAF pilots. Dr. Garza also supported the Aeromedical Clinical Services (ACS) Ophthalmology branch, examining current USAF pilots with visually significant conditions such as Glaucoma, Kerataconus, Cataracts, and other eye diseases. From 2008 to 2018, he ran a solo practice in San Antonio. For the past four years, he has been an associate Optometrist in a private multi-doctor multi-clinic practice in North Central Texas. Dr. Garza is a native South Texan with two children. Dr. Omar D. Garza is fluent in Spanish and enjoys conversational Spanish with his patients.

Undergraduate Education: Northeastern State University. Optometry School: Northeastern State University College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I see patients of all ages for glasses, contacts, and medical needs. I work closely with local ophthalmologists to make the most appropriate and comprehensive care available to the person in my exam chair. My patients’ vision and overall health is my passion and I do not take for granted that they choose me for their eye care needs. Hobbies/Interests: Raising my 4 daughters, woodworking, and traveling.

Dr. Gavel-Rukha is a 2018 graduate of the School of Optometry at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, MA. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Bay Path College (now University) in Longmeadow, MA in 2014. Dr. Gavel-Rukha has a great interest in contact lenses and advanced optometric care. She volunteers in the kid services at her local church. She enjoys spending her free outdoors with her daughter, husband, family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: University of Illinois at Chicago. Biological Sciences Degree, Honors College. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry 2004. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Illinois Optometric Association. The reason I became an optometrist is: I always wanted to work in a health science field. I received my first pair of glasses when I was in 2nd grade. It was awesome to see clearly. During my undergraduate studies, I observed optometrists and I was able to see firsthand how they impact an individual’s life. It is a profession where you can have patients experience a “wow” daily. We all see patients that have no idea that they were seeing so poorly until you show them how good their vision could be. My favorite part of helping my patients is: It feels great to help people see better. My goal for all my patients is to manage their eye health, ensure optimal vision, and help prevent disease. In my spare time, I enjoy: I enjoy traveling, reading, music, playing basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: Indiana University; BA Psychology 1982. Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry 1986. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Central Indiana Optometric Society. The reason I became an optometrist is: To help my patients live their life in the most visually satisfying way using my experience and professional talent, coupled with the latest optical lens and contact lens technology for the best, most rewarding eyecare experience possible. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Seeing them return year after year and learning about their families, their hobbies and life experiences has been the most rewarding part of my optometry practice. In my spare time, I enjoy: Camping and hiking with my wife, Susan. We are big fans of the wonderful Indiana State Park system. I also enjoy the competitive shooting sport of IDPA.

Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida, Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences. Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University, Doctor of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Loves to take an active role in giving back to her community in any way she can. Hobbies/Interests: As a Florida native and self-proclaimed foodie, she enjoys traveling, hanging out with her husband and dog, and exploring the local cuisine.