Chris Knobbe, MD, is a physician, ophthalmologist, and Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus, formerly of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.  Dr. Knobbe is known primarily for his research, publications, and presentations connecting Westernized diets to numerous ‘Westernized diseases,’ including coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, cancers, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and autoimmune diseases. In the profession of ophthalmology, Dr. Knobbe is known for his revolutionary hypothesis and supportive research regarding the potentially blinding eye disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which currently affects 196 million people worldwide. Dr. Knobbe’s research has also become deeply invested in the devastating effects of vegetable oils and their unequaled contributions to Westernized disease.

Dr. Knobbe has delivered numerous CME events and has been a frequent presenter for the Ancestral Health Symposium, the Weston A. Price Foundation, and the Macular Degeneration Association.  He has given a number of keynote presentations for various organizations, including the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society where he holds a position as Honorary Board Member.  He is Founder and President of the non-profit organization, Cure AMD Foundation.  Dr. Knobbe’s life’s work and overarching goals are both lofty and altruistic, as he seeks to bring an end to preventable heart disease, cancer, blindness, suffering, and much other chronic disease, through the profoundly beneficial ancestral dietary strategies.

Dr. Michael A. (Mick) Kling is a leadership trainer, consultant, speaker, writer, innovator and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Impact Leadership, which provides leadership, culture and business consulting for the eye care community. In addition to his role with Impact Leadership, Mick is the founder and CEO of lnvision Optometry, one of the largest, single location optometric practices in San Diego, California.

He has developed a notable reputation for providing conscientious and impactful advice, an engaging and influential speaking style, and innovative solutions for the most critical challenges facing practice owners today. He is originally from Indiana, raised in Arkansas, and has resided in San Diego for almost 25 years. When not working, he spends time with his wife Jennifer, and two sons, Robert and Ryan.

Dr. Ashley Tucker joined Bellaire Family Eye Care during the summer of 2011. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Cell Science before going on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston College of Optometry.  Dr. Tucker will be launching the Contact Lens Institute at Bellaire Family Eye Care in early 2021.

Dr. Tucker completed a Cornea and Contact Lens Residency at the University of Houston and earned her Fellowship from the Scleral Lens Education Society. Dr. Tucker is also passionate about myopia management bringing extensive experience and knowledge to the field. Although she has particular expertise in contact lenses, Dr. Tucker provides full scope eye care to all of her patients.

Dr. Tucker is also a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry where she is the Coursemaster for the Ophthalmic Optics Laboratory. Through her affiliation with the University of Houston, she regularly provides continuing education on the topics of specialty contact lenses, myopia management and ophthalmic optics.

Dr. Tucker is originally from Louisiana, but she and her family relocated to Florida while she was in high school. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband, daughter, and son.

Dr. Parker grew up in Buhler Kansas and received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University in 2000. He graduated from the Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 2004. While in school, he was honored to be elected as President of The American Optometric Student Association and much enjoyed his time serving the national student association. He opened Ardmore Premier Eyecare in 2007 and is proud to be among a select group of Optometrists in the state of Oklahoma that have completed the training to become licensed to perform PRK eye surgery. In 2018 he joined Essilor full time as the Director of Professional Development. Dr. Parker has been featured in many articles and television interviews talking about various programs and technologies that Essilor utilizes to achieve its mission of improving lives by improving sight. He has lectured extensively on practice management, spectacle lens technology, and myopia management to numerous eye care professionals. Dr. Parker is a member of the Texas Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. He is also a licensed private pilot and enjoys flying in his spare time.

Dr. Justin Schweitzer specializes in advanced glaucoma, refractive surgical clinical care, and anterior segment pathology at Vance Thompson Vision.  He received his professional training and Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, OR.

In 2012 he pursued his dream to focus on glaucoma, advanced anterior segment surgery care and pathology, joining Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  He earned Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry in 2013, is the Optometric Externship Director at Vance Thompson Vision, and Adjunct Clinical Professor of the Illinois College of Optometry and Kentucky College of Optometry.

Dr. Schweitzer regularly lectures on glaucoma, anterior segment pathology, refractive surgical clinical care, and surgical management at state, regional, and national meetings.  He is currently the Chief Medical Editor for Modern Optometry and has contributed book chapters, journal articles, and case studies in peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed journals including Review of Optometry, Optometry Times, Primary Care Optometry News, Optometric Management, The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Clinical Ophthalmology, and The Journal of Glaucoma.  He has research interests in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and biomechanical properties of the cornea as it relates to glaucoma.

Dr. Schweitzer is an advocate of an integrated eye care delivery model and is currently serving as President-Elect for the South Dakota Optometric Society.

Dr. Marshall is the owner of Marshall EyeCare Physicians in Holmdel, NJ.  She treats all ocular disease, but focuses on the prevention and treatment of early AMD.  She has created the Macula Monday initiative where she holds cooking classes preceded by short educational lectures.  This is where her patients learn what AMD is, and how early detection coupled with healthy lifestyle changes can help preserve vision.  Her thought was to create a non-threatening fun environment where patients can learn and ask questions.  Additionally, she holds Macula Monday screening events that are open to public.

She has been featured in “Women in Optometry, and Review of Optometry”.  She has also given Cope approved Continuing Education lectures.  In 2021 her office was recognized as an AMD Center of Excellence by the Macula Degeneration Association.

Dr. Marshall received her optometry degree from the State University of New York School of Optometry. She is licensed by the National Board of Optometrist in the states of New York and New Jersey.  She completed internships in ocular disease at Keller Army Hospital, West Point Military and the East New York Medical Center-Brooklyn. At Yeled v Yelda in Brooklyn New York her internship included an emphasis on vision therapy and learning related vision disorders.

She is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the New Jersey State Optometric Association, National Optometric Association, Ocular Surface Society, the National Association of Professional Women, American Diabetes Association and a former member of the New York Medical Reserve Corp. In addition, Dr. Marshall was a New York City Public School teacher in Staten Island, NY.

Joe brings a diverse background that includes a prior highly successful private practice, managing one of the nation’s largest referral centers, and most recently as a full time educator and Clinical Director of the University of Houston Eye Institute Dallas.

He is a noted national authority and lecturer on many aspects of practice including medical billing and coding, documentation of medical records, HIPAA compliance, and management of ocular disease. He has served in numerous capacities with his state association where he was recognized as on of the few recipients of the Distinguished Service Award. Joe also continues to serve as an advisor to Medicare.

Craig Thomas, O.D. is from Houston, Texas.  He graduated with honors from Dallas’ Skyline High School in 1977 and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Houston.  In 1983, Dr. Thomas graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry.

Dr. Thomas has practiced continuously in Dallas, Texas for the past 28 years.  A noted consultant, lecturer and author, Dr. Thomas frequently travels the country to educate other optometrists on the latest trends, techniques and technologies in the profession of optometry.

His professional accomplishments include being a member of the American Optometric Association for 32 Cumulative Years and being named Optometrist of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association in 2001.

Dr. Thomas has been married to Pamela for 28 years and they have two sons, Kirk and Clark.  An active outdoorsman and former Boy Scout Leader, Dr. Thomas has always enjoyed camping and outdoor activities.  Current personal activities include weightlifting, skydiving, climbing and rappelling, and scuba diving.