
The San Diego View
August 2023
THE MISSION OF SDCOS IS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND ITS MEMBERS
THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, EDUCATION, AND LEADERSHIP.
Happenings of the Society

Aloha!! What an amazing turnout for the SDCOS Society’s Summer Hawaiian Night CE. Over 100 members came to hear Marc Bloomemstein, OD lecture on Anterior Segment cases…or did they come for the signature Ohana Coloda cocktails? It was a great night for learning, connecting, and soaking up the sun! Hope to see you at our next CE in September for our Western themed CE.
Upcoming events:
- August 22
“An Evening with Al Cleinman, sponsored by Neurolens” at Portside Pier Brigantine - August 27
“Open Board Meeting Barbecue” at Dr. Eric White’s House. Please reach out if you are interested in attending.
OD Relations Liaison
Please contact Dr. Judi-Anne Perez, Society Optometrist Relations Liaison at odjobs@sdcos.org to be put on an official list for the following:
- fill-in/part-time work
- full-time work
- purchase/partner in/sell a practice
This service is offered free of charge to SDCOS members.

Upcoming CE Meeting
September 21, 2023
Location: Hilton San Diego Mission Valley – 901 Camino del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108
https://bit.ly/HiltonMissionValley
Speaker: Dr. Rachell LIn
Topic: TBD
Theme: Western
Featured Sponsors


Volunteer Outreach
SDCOS was asked to participate in a recent Resource Fair sponsored by the Jewish Family Service of San Diego, a program supporting older adults throughout SD county. Other participants included Aging and Independent Services (AIS) of SD County, St. Paul's Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE), and the nutrition, technology, and transportation services from JFS
Dr. Bob Meisel attended and distributed pamphlets relating to safe driving at night, glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and several other eye-related topics. Much of his time was spent answering questions from the nearly fifty attendees.

Dr Meisel shared a table with Paola Solis, Outreach Specialist at St Paul’s PACE

Dr Meisel explaining a medical condition to two attendees

Dr Meisel with Antonette Alioto, Director of Aging Connections at JFS
Yvette Diaz
1. Which optometry school did you attend?
SCCO
2. What year did you graduate?
2022
3. What is your favorite specialty?
Binocular Vision and Dry Eye
4. What do you like to do for fun?
Spending time with my bird Ethel and chinchilla Pikachu, going for walks and thrifting
5. What is your favorite thing to do in San iego?
San Diego Zoo or Old Town for butter tortillas
6. What is something people might not know about you?
I am a San Diego native.

Pearls of Wisdom from an OD
Dr. Meisel
Dr. Meisel attended a one room school with one teacher for all 8 grades near Green Bay, WI. He took his first flight at 8 months old, got the travel bug and has visited all 50 states and over 70 countries. Since then, he has completed over two dozen foreign vision clinic missions with Lions In Sight. Dr. Meisel retired from the US Navy after serving 7 active years and 24 more in the reserve. This year, he will be having his 50th optometry class reunion in Forest Grove, OR!
His pearls are:
“Everything you do has your signature on it, so no matter how small it is, do it well”
“Be thankful for all your blessings as we have so many”
“Share your talent, time or treasures with those who could use your help”

MD Corner
Dr. Rakhi Melvani is thrilled to be joining the amazing team at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute as their newest associate specializing in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery starting in September 2023! Dr. Melvani will be focusing on corneal transplants (PKP, DSAEK, DMEK), refractive surgery, cataract surgery and complex anterior segment surgery including intraocular lens exchange.
Dr. Melvani was born and raised in the High Desert, in Apple Valley, California, graduating from Granite Hills High School as valedictorian of her class. She double majored in biology and psychology at The Honors College at Virginia Commonwealth University on a full ride scholarship, graduating Summa Cum Laude and honored as the top outstanding student in cellular/molecular biology. She obtained her medical degree at Virginia Commonwealth University where she was junior inducted into the nation’s highest medical honors society, Alpha Omega Alpha. She graduated from medical school Summa Cum Laude, being awarded the A.D. Williams Award, given to the graduating medical student with the highest cumulative GPA. She went on to complete her internship at Scripps Mercy Hospital, where she fell in love with San Diego! She then continued her ophthalmology training at the prestigious world-renowned Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she served as Resident Editor for the journal Review of Ophthalmology and dedicated her time to teaching her junior residents. She also spent time during her final surgical year of training working abroad in Bomet, Kenya through the Wills Eye Center for Academic Global Ophthalmology.
Throughout her surgical training, she discovered a passion for anterior segment surgery, and completed a Cornea Fellowship at UC Irvine in Irvine, California. She is greatly looking forward to getting to know and work with our community in the coming months! She is currently accepting new patients – Dr. Melvani’s contact information is below:
Rakhi Melvani, MD
Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute
Cell: 760-887-5981
Email: Rakhi.melvani@gmail.com

Sponsor Spotlight
Kaitlyn Wing with Johnson and Johnson
a. Where do you work?
Johnson and Johnson Vision. I cover North County San Diego.
b. How many years have you been in the industry?
1 year. Still somewhat a newbie you could say. 🙂 Before vision, I worked within the dental implants field, and before that a little orthopedics (total hips/total knees) but mostly spinal implants in the OR.
c. What are your favorite activities?
I love being outdoors and active. Especially going to the beach, working out at the gym or at home, and yoga. I love spending time with family, friends, and I love to travel. Next up for this year – Barcelona in the fall.
d. What is your favorite quote?
It’s a tie.
- “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” – AP
- “We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – FK

Richard Rex Memorial Fund
Richard Rex practiced optometry in San Diego for 13 years prior to his death in an airplane crash in 1989 at age 42. He was a member of SDCOS and specialized in contact lenses at Kaiser Permanente.
In 1991 some of his family, and colleagues established the Richard Rex Memorial Fund in his honor. This fund is used to assist patients in need to obtain eyeglasses, contact lenses, or low vision aids from SDCOS optometrists that have donated their exam time. Children are given high priority, as are patients needing contact lenses for medical purposes.
If you wish to contribute to this fund, please make checks payable to:
Dr. Richard Rex Memorial Fund
C/O SDCOS 11835 Carmel Mountain Rd. Suite 1304-211
San Diego, CA 92128-4601
Optometrists may apply for payment of a maximum of $100 to cover material costs for such patients. If you have questions or would like to request an application, please contact the SDCOS office at 619 663-8439.
All contributions are tax-deductible.
Classifieds
Full Time OD is needed to join our team at American Eye Associates. Great pay and benefits. Variety of work. Our beautiful National City clinic is home base, but we will train you to perform medical exams at various clinics in South San Diego as well. Contact Clay clayr@americaneyeassociates.com or 760.696.8845 (09/23).
Redlands Medical/Dental building for Sale Dental/Medical building in Redlands, CA. Large 18,625 sq. ft. lot with 4,896 sq. ft. building built in 2007. There is more than ample parking with great visibility. Offices are plumbed for medical or dental use. Priced at $2,611,000. Contact Chris Barbour at chris@omni-pg.com, 916-792-5038. (CAR105) (08/23)
Part-time/Full-time OD needed – competitive pay with bonus opportunities. Hours are 10-6:30 pm—location Chula Vista. Send resume to dr.sheck@rdreyecare.com. (09/23).
A Well Established Practice in Hillcrest, San Diego with 32 years of goodwill! Ideal corner location with its own parking. 2022 gross income equals $424,211.54. To assure future growth, directly across the street developers are now completing new 7-story apartment buildings. This office has a unique warm interior that patients love, including a brick fireplace in the exam room. A joy to work in and an excellent, knowledgeable staff. If interested contact uptownoptometry@gmail.com or call 619-972-5502. (08/23).
Practice for sale. Longtime established practice for sale in La Mesa, CA. –recently remodeled–excellent location, seller wishes to retire. Contact Dr. Levy at 619 -743-1442 or email drlevy@pacbell.net (08/23).
Well Established Optometry Practice with 25 Years of Goodwill. Nicely appointed practice just north of Malibu 25 years goodwill in great location. Plenty of parking spaces available with easy access and good visibility. Contact Frank Sciabica at 425-985-8390 or frank@omni-pg.com. (CAO111) (08/23).
Private Practice looking for an associate OD in San Diego. Generous base pay plus easy daily bonus pay. Please send resume and questions to: miramareyecare@gmail.com (08/23).
Looking for a motivated business-minded optometrist who is tired of the daily grind of a corporate practice, and wants to be their own boss while building equity. Our dynamic, high-potential private optometry practice is seeking an optometrist who is passionate about providing exceptional eye care and looking to take their career to the next level. With us, you won’t have to work 9 hours a day in a corporate practice, just to make a modest $500-$600 per day. Instead, you can earn much more and work just a quarter of the time you would have to spend in a corporate practice. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to build equity in the practice, meaning your hard work will pay off in the long run. If you’re ready to add a second location or if you are a new grad, we want to hear from you. Please email us at: spousti@live.com (08/23).
In need of a part-time optometrist with flexible hours and competitive pay to join our incredible staff. Located inside a Target, our community of Eastlake, Chula Vista is warm and family oriented. New equipment in office – Revolution EHR, Marco phoropter, Optos. Email Pariya.od@gmail.com for more information. (08/23).
Orange County Optometry Practice. Ideal merger candidate. $340,000 gross. 30+ years of goodwill. Great location! Good visibility. Contact Frank Sciabica at 425-985-8390 or frank@omni-pg.com. (CAO105) (08/23).
Part-time O.D. available – Donald J. Janiuk, O.D., FCOVD is available 2-3 days per week. I need an office where I can see patients referred to me and your patient’s overflow/vacation. I will work for a portion of the gross I produce, so no financial downside for your practice. For more information call or text me: 858-735-7958. (09/23).
Part-time O.D. is needed 2-3 days/week in Hillcrest – Days are flexible. Practice is located inside a private optical. If interested, email drjbmedina@gmail.com or text 619-800-3627. (08/23).
Price Reduced!! High Visibility High Traffic Optometry Practice Near Google Price Reduced!! Long-established, growing practice in close proximity to Google. This practice grosses approximately 650K/year and is still growing. Nicely appointed pleasant, high visibility location. This one won’t last long. For more information contact Frank Sciabica at frank@omni-pg.comor call 425-985-8390. (CAO107) (08/23).
Very Busy Optometry Practice inside a large busy retailer. Busy Optometry practice inside a major big box retailer in Eastern Washington. Very Profitable! For more information contact Frank Sciabica at frank@omni-pg.com or call 425-985-8390. (WAO104) (08/23).
Full-Time OD needed for busy private practice in North County. We offer excellent pay and incentives, bonus opportunities, and medical benefits and utilize the latest equipment and technology. Please email your resume to hrlecompte@gmail.com (08/23).
West Sound Well Established Optometry practice with 35 years goodwill and adjusted net profit of 350K High-Profit Port Hadlock Optometry Practice. Contact Frank Sciabica at 425-985-8390 or frank@omni-pg.com. (WAO107) (08/23).
Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Eye Care Services Office in Growing Coastal Community with Great Quality of Life. Well-Established Comprehensive Ophthalmology practice grossing approximately $1.4MIL Very profitable. Contact Frank Sciabica for more information at frank@omni-pg.comor 425-985-8390. (WAO106) (08/23).
Former Optometrist office space built out in Carmel Valley for lease -1755 sq feet available immediately in Trader Joe’s anchored center. Prior tenant merged practices and space is in “Move-In” condition. For Information please contact Reg Kobzi at 858-546-4604 reg.kobzi@cbre.com (08/23).
Nicely Appointed Optometry Practice in Bellevue’s Tech Corridor. Annual collections are $420,000. Adding additional procedures will increase revenue. Lots of parking available. Patient care hours are just 24 hrs/per week. Performing CRT/ortho K for over 20 years. The selling doctor is willing to train buyers on the overall concepts of CRT care to allow seamless continued care with ongoing patients. Contact Frank Sciabica at 425-985-8390 or frank@omni-pg.com (WAO102) (08/23).
Wanted: Used, good condition, Retinal Camera and Autorefractor. We are looking for a reliable non-mydriatic retinal camera and autorefractor for our optometry practice. If you have recently upgraded and no longer need your used one, we appreciate you reaching out to us. Thank you. spousti@live.com (08/23).
Busy Portland Optometry Practice Well-established 2-lane optometry practice. Great location in Portland. All the latest and greatest equipment. Very busy! Contact Frank Sciabica for more information at frank@omni-pg.com or 425-985-8390. (ORO101) (08/23).
Build Ownership in a Growing Optometry Practice, Even as a New Grad. Growing Practice at the Heart of San Diego with a 25+ Year Veteran of the Optometry Profession, with a successful history of growing multiple practices, is seeking a motivated, self-starter, entrepreneurial optometrist to join a growing optometry practice in City Heights. Practice is in a custom modern office setting, with great visibility and a proven track record of success for medical practices. Working knowledge of Spanish is preferred. Opportunity to get involved (even as a New Grad) in a growing eye care practice from the ground up, earning equity toward part or full ownership. Please email your resume to spousti@live.com (08/23).
Revenue $800,000 on 36 total OD hours. This opportunity includes two practices co-located in one location—huge potential with more efficient operation under one owner. Recently relocated to terrific buildout in a new location next to the hospital; 4 lanes in 2200 square feet. Long-term employees include a bilingual optician. Photos available. Offered at only $295,000 plus sellable goods inventory estimated at $100,000. Seller financing may be available. Contact info@PracticeConsultants.com (08/23).
Platinum Sponsors

- Elen Rose Factor
efactor@gwsvision.com -
Elen Rose Factor efactor@gwsvision.com
-
Angie Fiegl afiegl@gwsvision.com
- https://www.gwsvision.com

-
Shenai AlexanderProfessional Network Relationship Mgr | Doctor Relations
Gold Sponsors

- Brooke Abel
Corneal Health Sales Manager
babel@glaukos.com - Bill Brennan
bbrennan@glaukos.com - 714-745-3552
-
Dojo Aguilar daguilar@horizontherapeutics.com 951-440-6628
-
Jillian Cresto Jilliancresto@yahoo.com
-
Courtney Garofalo cgarofalo@horizontherapeutics.com

- Vuong Vo
Healthcare Senior Small Business Development Representative
Vuong.Vo@wellsfargo.com
Cell 626-842-7030