meet our optometrists

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 Optometrist and Owner of Williams Lake Optometry

Dr. Kate is passionate about working with her eye care team to provide a great patient experience. She enjoys seeing patients of all ages, helping to improve their quality of life. Dr. Kate was born and raised in 100 Mile House and is happy to return to the Cariboo after nine years of post secondary education. She graduated from the University of British Columbia – Okanagan with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 2009. She received her Doctorate of Optometry degree in 2014 from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon, where she graduated with Distinction. She also received the “Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care” at Graduation.

Dr. Kate is a member of the British Columbia Association of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists. Locally, she is a member of the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Kate has done extensive volunteer work in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica where she provided eye care and glasses to underserved populations. In her spare time, Dr. Kate enjoys horseback riding, fishing, camping, baking, and playing hockey.

 Optometrist

Dr. Garman joined Williams Lake Optometry in 2018. She aims to provide quality eye care through her enthusiasm and dedication to helping others.

Dr. Garman grew up in Saskatoon, SK and then moved to the United States to pursue post-secondary education before returning home to Western Canada. She attended St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Oklahoma where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences with Summa Cum Laude Distinction in 2014. She received her Doctorate of Optometry Degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2018 where she graduated with the Highest Distinction and served as the Valedictorian. Dr. Garman also obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vision Science from Nova Southeastern University and was honoured with many academic accolades, including the Highest Scholastic Achievement in 2018.

Dr. Garman is currently a member of the British Columbia Association of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists. She was inducted into the Beta Sigma Kappa Honour Society in 2015.

Dr. Garman is also a part of Williams Lake Vision Therapy! She is passionate about helping patients of all ages with binocular vision disorders, as well as patients suffering with post-concussion syndrome.

Dr. Garman enjoys staying active and spending time with her family and friends. As a homegrown prairie girl, she especially loves exploring the British Columbia Mountains!

 Optometrist

Dr. Kisser grew up in rural Alberta and graduated magna cum laude with his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Burman University. He continued his education and graduated with distinction from Pacific University with his Doctor of Optometry. During Dr. Kisser’s time at Pacific University he was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honour Society and Amigos Eye Care which provides eye care at no cost to underserved people throughout the world. Dr. Kisser has volunteered on eye care and medical/dental trips to Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize.

Upon graduation in 2013, Dr. Kisser moved to the Yukon and practiced there for 7 years doing full scope Optometry with emphases on ocular disease and surgical co-management with Ophthalmology. Dr. Kisser’s interest in ocular disease has continued and he likes to stay current with continuing education courses on new technologies that allow the early detection and treatment of ocular conditions.

In his off time he enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, playing hockey and softball. Dr. Kisser is a member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists and licensed in British Columbia and the Yukon.

Optometrist 

Dr. Robinson was born and raised in a rural area outside a small town in Southern Ontario. She completed her Bachelor of Science with Honours at Queen’s University with a specialization in Life Sciences. She then went on to pursue a Master’s of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy at McMaster University. After working for two years as an occupational therapist, her experience working with older adults, especially those with conditions impacting vision, sparked her interest in learning more about vision and how conditions impacting vision can be managed. With this new interest she decided that she was not quite done with school just yet and went back to earn her Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Waterloo in 2021. Melissa is passionate about optometry with a particular interest in low vision and dry eye disease management. After working for a year following graduation as an optometrist in Southern Ontario she decided to take a journey across the country to join the team at Williams Lake Optometry. She is a member of the British Columbia Association of Optometrists, Ontario Association of Optometrists, Canadian Association of Optometrists and licensed in both British Columbia and Ontario.

Dr. Melissa Robinson is a soft-spoken self-proclaimed bookworm, outdoor adventurer, competitive board game player, goofy dancer, and creative crafter. She likes to take on new challenges and possesses an ever growing and changing bucket list including adventures like sky diving, world travel and running a marathon.

Optometrist 

Dr. Lindsey Brise has called Williams Lake home since the fall of 2019. Born and raised in Smithers, BC; she enjoys the similar small town living that the Cariboo offers. She completed her undergraduate degree with honours in Biomedical Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. She went on to complete a Doctor of Optometry degree at the Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in Memphis, Tennessee where she was awarded the Presidents' Scholarship. Upon graduation, she received a senior award for excellence in Pediatrics and Vision therapy. While at SCO, she participated in two humanitarian mission trips, once in Nicaragua and once in Ecuador.  Her clinical rotations were completed at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans and at Dr. Fischer and Associates/Dry Eye Center of Acadiana in Lafayette, Louisiana. Dr. Brise is thrilled to be providing care at Williams Lake Optometry. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and traveling.