Our Doctors

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: University of Texas at Austin Optometry School: University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry Hobbies and Interests: Spending time with family/pets. Repairing cars.

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

Dr. Dan Yoakum, a native of Indiana, moved to Raleigh in 1985. He graduated cum laude from NC State with a Bachelors degree in Microbiology and a minor in Genetics. He attended the prestigious Pennsylvania College of Optometry where he graduated in 1995 with Clinical Honors. He completed general Optometric externships at Quantico Naval base and Hahnemann University School of Medicine, and a Pediatric externship at The Eye Institute of Philadelphia. Dr. Yoakum has been practicing as a licensed Optometrist for over 25 years. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and NC State Optometric Society. Dr. Yoakum is married to Kim, who works in our optical department. They have four children, three of whom are triplets. Dr. Yoakum is active in his church and in his spare time he enjoys working out, hiking, reading and learning to play the banjo. He is also an avid N.C. State fan….Go Pack!

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.

Dr. Jessie Young, OD, is a licensed optometrist in MA. She earned her bachelor's in biology on an accelerated pre-optometry track at Nova Southeastern University. Afterwards, she received her Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from the New England College of Optometry. During her clinical education, Dr. Young completed rotations in multiple specialties, with a larger emphasis on ocular disease. She is committed in providing comprehensive and compassionate eye care, as well as staying up to date on the latest advancements in optometry and patient care. She earned the title of Student Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) during her education, and she now serves as an active member of the AAO. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Young enjoys working on various arts and crafts, such as learning to crochet. She also loves to visit national parks with her family.

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.

Dr. Zahorchak earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech before pursuing her Doctor of Optometry at The Ohio State University. She is passionate about helping patients achieve and maintain healthy vision. Outside of the office, Dr. Zahorchak enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, pickle ball, and cheering on any Virginia Tech sport.

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.

Jemimah Zambili graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biological Science and a minor in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University. She is a graduate of the Rosenberg School of Optometry. She enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and exercising, reflecting her commitment to both professional growth and personal development.

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.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC); BS in Biological Sciences. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University; Doctor of Optometry (2010); Completed optometric residency in Ocular Disease at Baltimore VA Medical Center (2011). Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and Maryland Optometric Association (MOA); Has lectured at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins; Has presented a poster at SECO International. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and Maryland State Board of Optometry; Completed residency in Ocular Disease at the Baltimore VA Medical Center (2011). Skilled in: Comprehensive eye examination; Contact lens fitting; Diabetic eye exams; Diagnosis and management of eye disease; Management of ocular emergencies. The reason I became an optometrist is: to help fellow humans see better and function better in the world and be able to do the activities they enjoy the most. My favorite part of helping my patients is: to educate my patients about eye health and preventative measures to preserve eye health and vision. In my spare time, I enjoy: traveling around the world, spending time with friends and family, meditation, hiking, and outdoor activities.