Sergeant Bluff
RACHEL VANDEKOP
Practice Manager
Rachel Vandekop is the practice manager, overseeing 5 locations including Sergeant Bluff Eye Care, Marcus Eye care, LeMars Eye Care, Wayne Eye Care and Harlan Eye Care. In this role Rachel provides support for all 5 clinics in all areas including customer relations, accounts receivable/payable, and most importantly patient care.
Rachel’s favorite part about working for the practice is building relationships with patients and their families year after year and watching our team continue to grow. Rachel became certified shortly after starting in 2012 from the Iowa Optometric Assistants Association as a certified Para (CPO) then later attained her Certified Paraoptometric Assistants license (CPOA), Paraoptometric Coding license (CPOC), and National Contact Lens Examiner (NCLE). Rachel joined the Iowa Optometric Assistants Association board as the Vice President in 2022, she will hold a 4 year term on the board and hopes to stay involved thereafter.
In Rachel’s free time she enjoys entertaining, cooking, outdoor activities, and spending time with her husband Casey, and 3 sons Mason, Nolan and Zayvion.
KATHERINE ROSENBAUM
Director of Operations
Katherine Rosenbaum joined the team in 2015 as an optician and administrative support in our Sergeant Bluff clinic. Over time her strong leadership skills and innovative thinking moved her to oversee opening operations of all other clinics. She has supported all areas of the business including administrative support, optical, and accounts receivable in all 5 locations. Katherine is a firm believer in quality and hard work by doing everything she can to ensure that for the patient. Katherine currently holds a Masters of Science in Health Information & Informations her Certified Paraoptometric Assistant license, Certified Paraoptometric Coding license, American Board of Opticianry, National Board of Contact Lens Examiners and always looking to continue her education in the future. Katherine also joined the Iowa Optometric Assistants Association board as the treasurer in 2024.
RACHEL LINDBLOM
Front Desk/Administrative Support
Rachel has had several years of customer service experience and also holds her Certified Para Optometric license (CPO). Rachel loves being able to get to know each patient that come through the doors.
In Rachel’s free time she enjoys entertaining, spending time with her husband Alex & her son Preston, spending time outdoors with her dogs, and hanging with friends and family.
SHIRLEY MOORE
Administrative Support
Shirley Moore is part of our Administrative Support team at Sergeant Bluff Eye Care. Her responsibilities include scheduling appointments, consultations, answering the phones, upkeep of records, and assembling superbills for upcoming appointments. Shirley has had several years of customer service experience and really enjoys the patient contact and hometown feel Sergeant Bluff Eyecare provides.
Shirley enjoys spending time with her family which includes 5 grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering them on in their sporting activities, baking and loves following all Husker athletics!
DULCE MARTINEZ
Administrative Support
Dulce Martinez is part of our Administrative Support team at Sergeant Bluff Eye Care. She works with insurance companies to verify eligibility and benefits prior to appointments to ensure the patient receives their maximum allowance. Dulce’s favorite part of working at Sergeant Bluff Eye Care is being part of a team that cares for each other and makes work enjoyable. In her free time, she likes to read and spend time with my friends and family.
AMY MERCER
Administrative Support
Amy Mercer is a part of our Administrative Support team at Sergeant Bluff Eyecare. In this role Amy works with insurance companies to insure payments are completed in a timely manner. Her favorite part of working at Sergeant Bluff Eyecare is working with a team who are dedicated to deliver excellent customer service.
Amy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Northern Iowa and also has her Paraoptometric license. She enjoys playing card games, biking, hiking and watching movies with her husband Chuck and two sons Hayden and Henry.
MONIQUE RODRIGUEZ
Administrative Support
Monique Rodriguez is a part of our Administrative Support team at Sergeant Bluff Eye Care. In this role, Monique works with insurance companies to verify eligibility and benefits prior to appointments. Also offers support in accounts receivable and any other administrative duties for other departments. Monique's favorite part about working for Sergeant Bluff Eye Care is being a part of a team who truly cares about each other and works together to ensure the best patient care. Monique holds an Associate's degree in Administrative Office Management from Western Iowa Tech Community College.
In Monique's spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys binge-watching TV shows, reading, camping, concerts, and vacationing in warm tropical locations.
CARRIE CASADAY
Optical Manager/Optician
Carrie Casaday is an Optical Manager/Optician at Sergeant Bluff Eyecare. In this role Carrie ensures we have the best frame options for our patients, educating and troubleshooting any issues that arise, and coordinating with our local and insurance labs to get the best product we can deliver.
In Carrie's free time she enjoys camping, outdoor activities, and absolutely loves spending time with her husband Patrick and watching their two children Amelia and Roman grow into kind-hearted and fun loving kids.
KALEY RIVERA
Ophthalmic Technician
Kaley recently started working at Sergeant Bluff Eyecare as an Ophthalmic Technician but is also becoming efficient at several other areas within the clinic . She enjoys interacting with patients and getting to know them while taking care of their eye health. Kaley loves the teamwork and culture within the office and hopes to continue learning and expanding her knowledge. If Kaley is not at work, she would be at the beach eating fruit! She enjoys hanging out with my family as well as her dog (Sosuke) and bunny (Petunia Lou).
BRITTANY "BREE" MURILLO LUPERCIO
Ophthalmic Technician
Bree joined the team as an Ophthalmic Technician but also loves to help wherever she can. Her main focus is to extend her knowledge while taking care of the patient. Not only is she working directly with patients but she also manages the contact lens ordering in the office. Bree will be pursuing her degree is business management with the hopes to attend law school in the future. Outside of work Bree likes to read, crochet, and is passionate about feeling beautiful.
CAIRA BENNIER
Receptionist
Caira serves as a receptionist at Sergeant Bluff Eye Care, where she is often the first friendly face patients see upon arrival. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming and positive experience for every patient by providing exceptional customer service, assisting with scheduling, answering questions, and helping ensure the office runs smoothly each day. She enjoys spending time with her daughter & husband.
CORAL BROUILLETTE
Optician
Coral recently joined our team as an optician. She brings an incredibly bright, fresh, and modern energy to Sergeant Bluff Eye Care.
For Coral, eyewear is so much more than just a prescription—it is a beautiful expression of who you are! She absolutely loves getting to know each patient's unique personality so she can hand-pick the perfect frames that feel genuinely you and incredibly comfortable. Coral is your style cheerleader, lovingly encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone, try something delightfully unexpected, and discover a whole new side to your personal style. She is passionately obsessed with staying on top of the absolute latest eyewear fashion trends to give you the most exciting and stylish advice possible.
Outside of the clinic, Coral channels her vibrant creativity into knitting her own fabulous wardrobe, nurturing her beautiful collection of houseplants, and soaking up the great outdoors with her husband.
MORGAN KING
Administrative Support
Morgan King is a part of our Administrative Support team at Sergeant Bluff Eye Care. In this role she works with insurance companies to verify eligibility and benefits prior to appointments to make sure patients are covered and prepared for their upcoming visit. She also wants to make sure they receive the best of their benefits for the year. Morgan’s favorite part of working for Sergeant Bluff Eye Care is having a caring, supportive, and loving team that all employees work together and run as a family.
Her favorite things to do in her free time is spend time with friends, cook, and be on the water enjoying the warm weather. She also enjoys watching scary movies, spending time with her dog Kingston, and serving on the side
ANGELA ESPINOZA
Optician/Ophthalmic Techician
Angela recently joined the team at Sergeant Bluff Eyecare working as both an ophthalmic technician and optician.
Angela is passionate about expanding her optometric knowledge to create a welcoming, comfortable, and informative environment for all patients. In the clinic, she focuses on capturing images that assess eye health, performing patient exams, and guiding patients in their selection of eyewear.
Angela recently graduated from Wayne State College with a Bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry. She aspires to attend optometry school in the near future and provide care for patients as an optometrist. Outside of work Angela enjoys reading, watching documentaries, going for walks, and spending time with her friends and family.
Marcus
SHELLEY SHOOK
Optician
Shelley is an Optician at Marcus Eyecare. In this role Shelley has the pleasure of helping our patients pick the perfect frames to allow them to not only have the best vision but also look amazing. She also teaches our first-time contact lens wearers how to properly insert, remove and care for contacts. Shelley's favorite part about working at Marcus Eyecare is meeting all the new and existing patients and learning new skills! Shelley loves camping, cooking, laughter and spending time with her 3 children and granddaughter.
PAIGE HANSEN
Ophthalmic Technician/Optician
As an ophthalmic technician and optician, I enjoy helping patients through every step of their visit—from pretesting to finding the perfect pair of glasses. What I love most about this job is building relationships and getting to know the wonderful patients that come in each day. Outside of work, I enjoy quilting, crocheting, and being outdoors, but my greatest joy is spending time with my two sons.
LEEANN PETERSON
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Wayne Eye Care
TERESA SCHULZ
Administrative/Insurance Verification Support
Teresa is part of our Administrative/Insurance verification support team with Wayne Eye Care. Her responsibilities include scheduling appointments, answering questions and phone calls, locating patient policies and verifying benefits. Teresa has several years of insurance and customer service experience. She thoroughly enjoys helping patients understand their insurance benefits and getting to know them. In Teresa's spare time she enjoys camping and traveling with her husband. She spends as much time as she can with her 3 children and 4 grandbabies.
ASHLEIGH SCHULTZ
Optician
Ashleigh is an optician at Wayne eyecare. She has the pleasure of advising patients on styles of eyewear that suit their needs, adjusting frames to the patients customized fit, and ensuring we have a wide variety of frame selection for everyone to choose from. Ashleigh’s favorite part about working at Wayne eyecare is learning something new every day, the patients, and her co-workers. Ashleigh currently holds her certified para optometric license, and is working toward her abo certification.
In Ashleigh’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Brynlee, outdoor activities such as golfing and walking her dogs, Izzy and Blu. She also enjoys reading and working on puzzles in the colder months.
Lemars
ASHLEY JOINES
Optician
Ashley has been a part of the Le Mars Eye Care team since 2021.
Her main role is an Optician but she helps wherever is need within in the practice Ashley holds her Certified Para Optometric license and CPR certificate. She is always looking to further her education within the field. Her favorite part of the job is really getting to know patients and building relationships with them while helping them select the perfect eyewear to fit their needs.
In her free time Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband Ben, their 2 daughters Caitlyn and Grace and family dog Hunter. Ashley enjoys going to hockey games, concerts, traveling and a good cup of coffee.
RENEE SHEEHAN
Optician
Renee joined Le Mars Eye Care in 2023 as an optician but has been in the optical field for several years prior. Since joining the team Renee has obtained her Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) license. In this role she helps patients pick the perfect frames along with adjusting to fit properly. Renee also enjoys jumping in as a technician to help as needed. Renee loves learning about new lens technology and making sure the patients get exactly what they need. Renee holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/ Marketing from Morningside College. In Renee's free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter Mckenna. She also enjoys outdoor activities and taking her dog Pip for walks.
CERINA WALDING
Ophthalmic Technician
Cerina joined Le Mars Eye Care in 2022 as an ophthalmic technician but you may also see her at the front desk. As a technician Cerina works directly with patients to gather medical history for the doctor to perform a comprehensive eye exam without missing important information. Over the years she has learned no detail is too small and truly loves that in this position no day is the same and she enjoys getting to know each family that walks in. Cerina is a mom of 5 rambunctious kids! In her free time, she enjoys being at the baseball/softball fields and spending time with family and her two dogs: Waylon & Dale
Harlan Eye Care
NICHOLAS CHRISTENSEN
Administrative Support
Nic has been with Dr. Jay’s since the beginning and he is fortunate enough to also call Dr. Jay, dad. Nic has practically done everything you can think of from cutting lenses for glasses, taking appointments, checking in materials, and “managing” the office for many years but he is mostly known for chatting with patients. I don’t believe there is 1 person in Harlan, IA that doesn’t know “Coach Nic.”
In his free time Nic enjoys hanging out with his family, anything sports related and cruising around town making friends!
KARISSA SMITH
Optician
Karissa is a proud mother of two wonderful children and one very large puppy. Being a mom is one of the most rewarding aspects of her life, and her children inspire her every day to work hard and be the best version of herself.
Professionally, she works as an optician, helping patients improve their vision, repair their glasses, and find eyewear that meets their needs and their lifestyle. She enjoys connecting with her patients and making a positive impact on their daily lives, drawing on valuable healthcare experience from her prior accomplishment as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Balancing motherhood and her career has taught her patience, compassion, and dedication. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and attending dirt track races on Saturday nights. She is proud of the life she has built and looks forward to continuing to grow both personally and professionally while creating lasting memories.
