BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Trisha Beal focuses on helping others in all her endeavours. Joining the Eye Recommend Board further propelled her passion for independent optometry. She has a keen interest in providing comprehensive eye care for patients with special needs and for promoting early detection and treatment of sight-threatening eye conditions in children before they can interfere with healthy development.
She continues to focus on increasing membership engagement, creating a culture of proactive rather than reactive management and assisting members to work smarter, not harder. Her personal why is aligned with the company’s mission as she believes patients should receive personal and sincere care. She encourages her colleagues and patients to pursue what they love, to take the time to care about the little details and not to allow situational obstacles to get in their way.
Dr. Beal has been recognized for her efforts in actively promoting eye health within her practice and local community. She was named Eye Care Professional of the Year for Canada in 2012 and was honoured to have the Prime Minister of Canada personally present to her a Canada Citizenship Award for community service and leadership.
Dr. George Day is committed to fostering the spirit and camaraderie between like-minded doctors that sets the Eye Recommend community apart. He knows Eye Recommend members expect more than just group discounts and training. His desire to give back to his profession is what motivated him to join the Eye Recommend Board of Directors, which he sees as an opportunity to take part in shaping the future of Canadian optometry and grow as an optometrist, business owner, and individual.
Dr. Day genuinely cares about the people he impacts. He previously served on the Alberta College of Optometrists Practice Review Committee and was the first Optometrist to be involved with the Travelling Low Vision Clinic, a project though Alberta Education, to identify low vision kids in schools who face barriers to accessing care and services. He is personable, approachable, and truly listens to what people have to say, which makes him someone that patients and members feel comfortable talking to.
Dr. Damon Umscheid has a diverse background combining both his passions of optometry and business, allowing him to view challenges as opportunities and bring innovative ideas and strong leadership skills to the table.
Practicing in High River and Okotoks, Alberta since graduating from Pacific University’s College of Optometry, Dr. Umscheid has found a true passion for business and has been heavily involved in acquiring and growing multiple clinics. He co-founded a company in the technology and energy sector that is now one of the fastest growing companies in Alberta.
Dr. Umscheid’s experience from negotiations and financing to marketing and Board Governance, coupled with his optometric background, gives him a diversified edge and strategic foundation to help build and support independent optometry across Canada.
With a vast range of both optometric and business experience, Dr. Colin Hobson is passionate and committed to the independent optometric landscape and having a positive impact on the eye health of his patients.
Colin Hobson was born, raised, and currently resides in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Since 2012, Colin has worked in both corporate optometry and independent optometry settings and now owns two independent optometry clinics in rural Alberta.
Colin has had the opportunity to be an Alberta Association of Optometrists Council Member, an Alberta Association Government Relations Committee Member, be on the Alberta College of Optometry’s Competency Committee and be part of the Board of Directors for the Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce as well as the Fort Saskatchewan Rotary Club. These experiences have given Colin a solid foundation and background to assist in better serving the Eye Recommend membership.
Dr. Howard Dolman is committed to making Eye Recommend the go-to choice for independent optometry clinics through his role on the Eye Recommend Board of Directors. He is always focused on creating a collaborative environment within his own practice and has brought that dedication to Eye Recommend since he became a member in 2008.
Dr. Dolman teaches the Practice Management Course at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science and for the International Optometric Bridging Program. In addition, he has presented the Eye Recommend OD Business Course (Finance and Marketing sections) and is happy to offer his expertise to members to help them build their business skills and grow their clinics.
In 2016, Dr. Dolman and his wife were bestowed with the Public Education Award of Merit from the Ontario Association of Optometrists, which is presented to practitioners who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to educate the public and other stakeholder groups about the profession of optometry. They are both heavily involved in their community and give back through several initiatives, including Optometry Giving Sight World Sight Day Challenge and the I Care and Share program.
Proud to be serving patients from southwest Saskatchewan for 44 years, Dr. Barry Thienes is committed to the practice of optometry and quality eyecare. Full of energy, he genuinely cares about his patients and the impact he has on their eye health. As a member of the Eye Recommend Board of Directors, he’ll emphasize learning new developments in the field and continue his active contribution towards the profession.
After graduating from the University of Waterloo, Dr. Thienes became a solo practitioner in Shaunavon and Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. He served 14 years on the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO) council, occupying all chairs including 5 years as registrar and 2 years as President. More recently, he spent 14 years with the Canadian Association of Optometry (CAO) board and served as President from 2015-2017. One of his missions is to make sure that the Board fulfills its fiduciary responsibilities to the members they serve.
As a high achiever, Dr. Anita Voisin loves to set goals and see them accomplished. With this spirit and as a Board Member, she strives to continue cultivating Eye Recommend as the premier independent optometry group in Canada. Wanting to make a lasting impact in the field of optometry, Dr. Voisin is excited to share her passion and knowledge towards the growth of the Cooperative.
Dr. Voisin attended the University of Waterloo and graduated from the School of Optometry. She worked in Ontario for two years at the Oshawa Clinic, then made the move out West to Vancouver Island. She joined forces with Dr. Trevor Miranda at his practice in Mill Bay and was the lead in their first satellite clinic in Chemainus. She helped transition the expansion of the Mill Bay location to Cobble Hill, followed by the opening of two more clinics, one in Lake Cowichan and another in Duncan. Her commitment to eye health has continued to evolve and grow over the years. She has developed a special interest in both dry eye disease and myopia management, and she is driven to continue delivering patient excellence through comprehensive patient care.
As an active community member, Dr. Voisin genuinely cares about the people she impacts. She is a longstanding Rotary Club of Chemainus member and served as a board member with the Chemainus Chamber of Commerce for eight years. She loves giving back to the community through education and regularly participates in community health programs such as Healthy Beginnings. In addition, Dr. Voisin has delivered presentations on eye health to local high school students and senior centres.
With a background in psychology and strong communication skills, Dr. Lisa Scharf has a keen interest in improving the way that people work together. Dr. Scharf is proud to be on the Eye Recommend Board of Directors and is dedicated to fostering a healthy team culture for the members.
Dr. Scharf`s love for the outdoors and an active lifestyle brought her back to her roots in British Columbia, where she worked as an associate at Armstrong Optometry. She purchased the practice in 2014 and has been enjoying the challenges and growth that business management brings. She values connection to her community and has also volunteered abroad on two third-world eye care missions, one in Myanmar and the other in the Philippines.
Dr. Michael Nelson is actively committed to the profession of optometry and believes in giving back and contributing where possible to create a stronger global independent optometry community.
After studying undergraduate science at the University of Alberta, Dr. Nelson went on to receive his Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo. Following, he completed a Family Practice & Low Vision Residency at the University of Alabama at the Birmingham School of Optometry.
Dr. Nelson has successfully practiced optometry alongside his wife, Dr. Selena Friesen, for the past 25 years in Winnipeg and they are proud owners of two clinics built from the ground up. He has served as the Continuing Education Chair and President for the Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO) and was the President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO). His past board experience has provided Dr. Nelson with a strong background in finance, governance, team building and the ability to promote the optometry industry, all of which he is excited to bring forward as a part of the Eye Recommend Board.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
With a career spanning financial research, accounting, corporate finance and investments, and most recently, as CFO of RJames Management Group Alberta Ltd, Lee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience forward to Eye Recommend.
An integral part of the team, Lee provides strategic advice and implements business operational changes to support the future direction of the organization. Working closely with the Eye Recommend Board of Directors Lee develops the policies and procedures to increase the success of all members, and oversees the internal operations of the cooperative.
Lee’s extensive education background includes a Bachelor of Kinesiology in Sports Administration from the University of Regina and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business. He has obtained his CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant-CMA) designations and is also a licensed realtor.
Teresa is a highly skilled and dedicated business leader with more than 10 years of experience in sales and operations management, strategic leadership, and business architecture. Throughout the years, she has gained a verifiable track record in enhancing business performance, operational efficiency, lean modeling, sales growth, and enhanced corporate branding while helping businesses and people achieve their goals personally and professionally.
With many accomplishments and a robust ability to lead, Teresa enjoys the challenges of everyday business, enhancing operational efficiency, while establishing standardized processes that improve productivity and deliver bottom-line results.
Teresa holds a Master’s of Business Administration acquired from the Australian Institute of Business, a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Regina, a Certificate in General Management & Economics, and extensive training in the areas of transformational coaching, strategic & conceptual sales, and project management. Teresa is also a certified Transformational Change Coach Facilitator.
Mariko began her career in advertising, supporting a variety of clients to grow their brand, increase sales and drive engagement. As the Director of Marketing, Communications and Events, she energizes the Eye Recommend team to brings new ideas forward and realize their full potential.
Mariko continually seeks to gain deeper insight into the optical industry and bring her marketing background forward to grow and elevate the Eye Recommend community. Her biggest strengths are her creativity, drive and leadership. She has a passion for building a strong community around her and taking part in experiences that foster continued learning and growth.