Undergraduate Education: Biochemistry BS at Northeastern University. Optometry School: MCPHS optometry school 2019. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: CL fitting; Ocular disease; Glaucoma treatment. The reason I became an optometrist is: Help people see better. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Seeing their smile and how happy they are when I help them. In my spare time, I enjoy: Chess.

Dr. Azaleea, a highly skilled optometrist and dry eye specialist, was born in Romania and immigrated to the United States at the age of seven. She graduated from the University of California - Davis with a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Italian. Dr. Azaleea earned her doctorate in optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2018. During her time at ICO, Dr. Azaleea trained in various practice settings, with a strong focus on medical optometry. She received high-level medical optometry training at the Hershel Williams VA, where she gained extensive experience in managing complex eye conditions. She also completed clinical rotations at the Illinois Eye Institute, Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging, and Cascade Vision Center. Her training at the Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging and Cascade Vision Center puts her in a unique position to care for the aging population and manage age-related eye conditions, such as cataract surgery, dry eyes, glaucoma, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration. Through her studies, Dr. Azaleea developed a passion for specialty contact lenses, dry eye treatment, and ocular disease management. She is committed to providing comprehensive and individualized eye care to all her patients. Dr. Azaleea is also actively involved in myopia management, working at a state-of-the-art myopia control clinic that utilizes the latest technologies to protect and enhance the vision of young patients. Residing in Chicago, Dr. Azaleea enjoys spending her free time outdoors, exploring different parks around the city, discovering new coffee shops, and trying new restaurants. She also enjoys relaxing at home with her two cats, Luna and Ollivander.

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.

Undergraduate Education: DePaul University; Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Illinois Optometric Association & American Optometric Association; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Care; What drives your passion for optometry? I love that we can improve patients' lives through quality eye care. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By meeting patient's eye care needs whether through glasses & contacts or through diagnosing & managing their ocular disease. 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? By providing eye care to my local community including Spanish speaking patients. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family.

Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida, B.S. Biology; Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University; Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association, Georgia Optometric Association; Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Ocular Disease, Residency Malcom Randall VA Hospital Gainesville, FL; The reason I became an optometrist is: As a glasses wearer from an early age, I became curious about the profession. Later, when it came time to choose my career path, I considered several medical fields but optometry stood out among them. It provided the work/life balance that I was seeking while also allowing me to serve people's medical needs. In my spare time, I enjoy I enjoy spending time with my husband and twins. My favorite part of helping my patients is because I'm a relationship builder. It makes my day to see a longtime patient or a friend who is visiting the office for the first time. Those connections are important to me.

Undergraduate Education: Lewis University; Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Member of the Illinois Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Eye Care, Glaucoma Management, Diabetic Exams; What drives your passion for optometry? Sight is one of the most indispensable senses. I love helping patients experience life with the clearest vision possible. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By helping them achieve the best vision for their daily needs and activities. 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? By educating patients of the importance of annual eye exams for the health of the eyes, not just updating their prescription. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my son, Colton, and the rest of my family.

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: Ohio State University; Optometry School: Ohio State University College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: VA Residency in Ocular Disease / Board Certified - American Board of Optometry/ Member - AOA, FOA; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Care, Ocular Disease, Contact Lenses; What drives your passion for optometry? Creating a relationship with patients and helping them through preventative care and/or treatment options; How are you helping patients live their best lives? Delivering individualized eyecare based on their visual and lifestyle needs. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, exploring the city and trying new restaurants.

Undergraduate Education: University of Alabama at Birmingham, bachelor’s in science. Optometry School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, 2019. Professional Achievements and Associations: Alabama Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Residency in Geriatric and Low Vision Rehabilitative Optometry, Birmingham VA. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Providing patients with the best care and helping patients see their best. In my spare time, I enjoy: Outdoors, spending time with family.