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Dr. Nick Anderson is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduating from Bearden High School, he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with highest honors. Dr. Anderson then attended the University of Tennessee College of Medicine on a full scholarship and graduated with highest honors. During medical school he was elected to the lmhotep Leadership Honor Society and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Anderson completed his ophthalmology residency at the Emory Eye Center at Emory University in Atlanta where he was elected Chief Resident. During his residency, Dr. Anderson trained under Dr. Thomas Aaberg, Sr., one of the fathers of modern Vitreo-Retinal surgery. Following residency, Dr. Anderson completed a two-year fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal surgery at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wills Eye Hospital is consistently ranked as one of the top ophthalmology hospitals in the world.

In 2005, Dr. Anderson moved back to the Knoxville area and joined Southeastern Retina Associates. His clinical interests include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, macular hole, and epiretinal membrane. Dr. Anderson is on staff at the University of Tennessee Medical Center and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Anderson has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters and has given lectures at national and international ophthalmology meetings. At Southeastern Retina Associates, Dr. Anderson pursues an active clinical trials program. He believes that by actively pursuing his research interests he can provide cutting-edge care to his patients.

Dr. Anzeljc obtained his degree in medicine from The Ohio State University College Of Medicine in 2012, completed his internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, in 2013 and his residency in Ophthalmology at Emory University in Atlanta in 2016. He then completed a fellowship in oculoplastic and orbital surgery at Emory University in Atlanta in 2018 before joining Baptist Eye Surgeons in August 2018.

In his spare time, Dr. Anzeljc enjoys spending time with his wife, Samantha, their five-year-old son, Luka, and seven-month-old twins, Micah and Noah. His community volunteer work includes performing vision screening for homeless veterans. Dr. Anzeljc also enjoys cooking, running, gardening, tennis, and restoring his 1966 Dodge Charger.

Dr. Barb earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. He completed a residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and completed a retinal fellowship at Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, GA.  Dr. Barb also completed a Research Fellowship with St. Jude’s Research Hospital/University of Tennessee.

He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retinal Surgeons.

Dr. Marc A. Bodenheimer, M.D. attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He graduated Summa Cum Laude (1988) and was the top graduate in the College of Engineering. He then attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where he received a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering and also graduated Summa Cum Laude (1990). He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO (1994). He completed his internship at The University of Tennessee School of Medicine in Chattanooga, TN from 1994 to 1995 and his residency in Ophthalmology from 1995 to 1998. He also completed a fellowship at the University of South Florida School of Medicine in Tampa, FL in Cornea and External Disease (1998 – 1999).

Dr. Bodenheimer gained his certifications by the American Board of Ophthalmology in 2000 and the American Board of Eye Surgery in 2001.

Dr. Adam Carrera earned a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology at King University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2011 and then continued on to earn his M.D. at East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine in 2016. He completed his residency and internship at Hamilton Eye Institute at the University of Tennessee, Memphis.

Dr. Carrera began his professional career in the United States Air Force as an Airman 1st Class. Following his time in the military, he chose to pursue his medical degree with the dream of becoming a physician. Even before he knew he would become an ophthalmologist, he knew he wanted to be a physician that focuses on developing longterm relationships with his patients.

Dr. Carrera is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society while pursuing his M.D. at ETSU, and is a member of the American Medical Association. He specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology, allowing him to treat a number of different eye conditions and diseases.

In his free time, Dr. Carrera enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter. As an avid fly fisherman, he loves spending time outdoors in the mountains of East Tennessee.

Dr. Jacob Cox attended the Virginia Military Institute on a full academic scholarship, where he graduated at the top of his class with a degree in Chemistry and English. He then attended the University of Cambridge, where he was awarded the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship, was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, and received a master’s degree in Cellular Biology. Upon graduation, he conducted infectious disease research in western Africa and India.

He attended the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine for his medical studies, during which he received a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct ophthalmic and healthcare-systems research in Paris, France. After receiving his M.D., he completed ophthalmology residency at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. His two-year surgical retinal fellowship was at the Cleveland Clinic, where he was awarded a national Heed Fellowship. He has published over two dozen medical research articles in peer-reviewed journals including Ophthalmology and Retina and has presented his findings at national and international conferences.

He and his wife, Rachel, enjoy running, travel, and hiking with their German Shepherd mix, Maple. He will be caring for patients in our Knoxville and surrounding area locations.

Medical School
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Internship
Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA

Ophthalmology Residency
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery Fellowship
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology, Board Certified

Dr. Dahl earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine. She went on to complete her ophthalmology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

A native of Utah, Dr. Dahl embarked on a journey from the scenic mountains of Utah to the lush landscapes of East Tennessee after marrying a native Tennessean in 2007. She has experience in comprehensive ophthalmology and her areas of interest include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and minor eyelid procedures.

Dr. Dahl is an outdoors enthusiast and mother of three young sons. Her hobbies include running, hiking, camping, baking, and napping, when not chasing after her crazy kids. 

Dr. James T. Doss, Jr. is board certified in comprehensive ophthalmology and specializes in cataract and refractive surgery. He brings a caring and patient oriented focus to the precision detailed field of eye surgery which he is passionate about. Doss grew up on a farm in south Georgia where he had a creative imagination, loved exploring in the woods, and was always fixing something mechanical, even from an early age. While in medical school, he always knew he wanted to be a surgeon, but it wasn’t until a chance encounter with an ophthalmologist during his third year that he realized how well the detailed and intricate microsurgeries of the eye fit his interests and talents. His focus quickly shifted from hand surgery to eye surgery, and that decision was solidified during ophthalmology rotations at The University of Florida and The Medical College of Georgia.

Dr. Doss completed his internship at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in 2005, before his ophthalmology residency in Virginia, where he had the opportunity to spend time in the clinic and O.R. learning from some of the UES physicians. After graduating in 2008 and becoming board certified, he began practicing in Boone, N.C. where he spent two years and was in the process of making partner when his wife realized that she was growing weary of the long, snowy winters there and yearned for the warmer climate and more cosmopolitan life they had known while in Knoxville.

In 2010 Dr. Doss joined UES where he knew he would be practicing among the top Ophthalmologists in the area, using cutting-edge technology, and collaborating with physicians who held themselves to a high ethical standard, while still being able to enjoy the mountainous beauty that drew him to the region initially.

Dr. Doss continues to enjoy living in Knoxville with his wife, Becky, and their two children, Mary Campbell and William, as well as their Siberian Forest cat, Tigger. As a family, they spend countless hours in the mountains hiking, biking, or just playing in one of the area’s many streams. They are members of Church Street United Methodist church and  Dr. Doss is also an avid backpacker and enjoys outdoor photography as well as swimming for exercise.  He feels blessed to be able to perform life-altering vision correcting surgeries for his patients with the help of a highly skilled team of professionals at UES.

Dr. Paul D. Froula is a solution-oriented surgeon who joined University Eye Specialists in 1992. His patient list now includes second-generation family members.

Dr. Froula, who treats diseases of the eye and performs multiple operations, including refractive surgery, joined the practice after completing his ophthalmology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. He has remained with University Eye Specialists because he considers it the premier practice in the region that completely focuses on patient care.

Dr. Froula’s work is particularly gratifying because people with impaired vision can have their lives changed for the better – in some cases within a few minutes of treatment thanks to advanced technology. Dr. Froula also is grateful for the long-term trust he has established with patients who bring their children to him for eye care needs.

With multiple sub-specialties within University Eye Specialists, a consultation with expert colleagues occurs down a hallway, and patients can remain at the practice for multiple eye care needs. Referrals are made among the physicians, so patients have a level of trust that already has been developed.

A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Dr. Froula graduated from the University of Tennessee and remains an avid Vol football fan. He earned his medical degree from the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University and completed his internship and residency at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Froula discovered the same “salt of the Earth” residents in Rochester, Minnesota, as East Tennessee, and he was grateful for the excellent clinical training and the chance to practice in his home state with University Eye Specialists. He is active with the International Medical Alliance of Tennessee, which does mission work overseas.

Dr. Froula, his wife, Dana, and their three children, Ryan, Jessica and Andrew, enjoy family activities and trips to the beach. Dr. Froula also enjoys math, physics, hiking, golf, gardening and landscaping. The family has four miniature schnauzers – Noelle (a Christmas present), Presley (rescue from Memphis), Casper and J.J.

We are excited to announce our newest physician joining Southeastern Retina Associates. Dr. Jonathan Fuerst comes to us as a highly trained medical and surgical retina specialist. He and his wife, Claire, are looking forward to moving to East Tennessee. Dr. Fuerst and his wife love the outdoors and spending time in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dr. Fuerst received his medical degree from Lousiana State University School of Medicine. Prior to completing a fellowship in Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery at Retina Consultants of Alabama & the University of Alabama Birmingham, he completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Alabama Birmingham. During his medical training, Dr. Fuerst was on staff at a level 1 eye trauma center at the Callahan Eye Foundation hospital emergency room in Birmingham, Alabama.

Dr. Fuerst looks forward to caring for patients at our Knoxville area offices as well as our Crossville and Morristown locations.

Dr. Justin Gagel is an ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract and refractive surgery.  Growing up in Knoxville, Dr. Gagel first attended East Tennessee State University where he received his undergraduate degree in biology.  He then continued his education through the Quillen College of Medicine, in Johnson City, where he received his Doctor of Medicine.  As an awarded student with an ever-growing love of patient care, Dr. Gagel decided to continue his studies through concentrating on the intricacies of the eye.  He was drawn to the specialization of ophthalmology because it harmonized his passion for surgical care with his deep interest in the anatomy and biochemistry of the eye.   

Dr. Gagel is particularly fond of the restorative nature of cataract surgery, stating that he “loves cataract surgery because he can fix something that has historically been a major cause of blindness.  The technology that is used with this procedure makes it a safer and more precise intervention than ever before.” 

After completing his surgical residency with the University of Kentucky, Dr. Gagel was ready to “come back home” to Knoxville, Tennessee.  He truly loves this part of the country and plans to reside in Knoxville for the remainder of his life.  In fact, Dr. Gagel married his high school sweetheart, who is also from Knoxville.  They have a 2-year-old son and a rambunctious goldendoodle.  Dr. Gagel proudly affirms that his family is his greatest joy.   

The Knoxville region offers a close proximity to the mountains and lakes, as Dr. Gagel truly enjoys an active lifestyle.  His many hobbies include running, hiking, swimming, biking, and lifting weights.  Dr. Justin Gagel and his family are also very active in their local church and its missions.  Interestingly, he has also maintained a fascination in the field of ornithology (the study of birds).  

Doctor Gagel is a highly skilled surgeon with an unmistakable enthusiasm for patient care.  University Eye Specialists is fortunate to have his talent added to the team of highly esteemed physicians and eye care professionals.

Dr. Glatt is a specialist in Oculoplastic Surgery whose practice is entirely focused on eyelid and tear duct surgery. He joined University Eye Specialists in 1989 as the first fellowship-trained Oculoplastic Surgeon in East Tennessee. Since that time he has performed over 14,000 operations.

He has spent decades caring for patients with eyelid skin cancers that require surgical removal and subsequent eyelid reconstruction that often requires unique techniques specific to the eyelid. He removes benign eyelid lesions, such as moles, cysts and skin tags. Dr. Glatt performs tear duct surgery to help patients who suffer from tearing and/or infections due to blocked tear ducts. He cares for patients who require removal of blind eyes to relieve pain and of eyes afflicted with cancer.

Dr. Glatt graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine. When University Eye Specialists sought a surgeon with specialized training in Oculoplastic Surgery to care for the patients of East Tennessee, Dr. Glatt and his wife welcomed the opportunity to live, work, and raise their family in Knoxville.
While watching his sons grow up in Knoxville’s wonderful swim culture (and later become collegiate swimmers), Dr. Glatt took up the sport himself, although at a considerably slower pace, and enjoys swimming at the University of Tennessee Aquatic Center. He and his wife Lynn enjoy hiking in East Tennessee and America’s National Parks.

Dr. David Harris Jr. is a cornea specialist who pursued his passion for science and optics. The cornea is the transparent layer that forms the front of the eye and produces most of the focusing of light. Corneal procedures performed by Dr. Harris range from minor surgery to life-changing operations such as corneal transplants, a process that allows the surgeon to restore sight to the living and give a profound sense of purpose to the family of the cornea donor at a time of death.

Dr. Harris grew up in Knoxville, and after serving both at sea and in U.S. Navy hospitals for 11 years, he transferred to the Navy Reserve in Knoxville and joined University Eye Specialists in 1989. Fortuitously, UES needed a cornea specialist at a time when Dr. Harris could take the opportunity to return to his hometown. The move home allowed his children to grow up close to their grandparents, the late Polly Anna and David Harris, Sr.

His life-long affiliation with the University of Tennessee – Dr. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree from UT in 1975 and his medical degree from UT Memphis in 1978 – has recently culminated in his being promoted to full professor in the Department of Surgery, having served as chief of the ophthalmology section since 1994. He teaches ophthalmology here at the UT Graduate School of Medicine and at the Hamilton Eye Institute at UT Memphis. Harris feels that teaching stimulates him to remain on the cutting edge of the constantly changing field of ophthalmology, and that caring for patients at UT’s Level One Trauma Center keeps him on the “tip of the sword” well past his military days. Dr. Harris retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1999, but still teaches in the Military Eye Trauma Symposium each year in Bethesda, MD.

Dr. Harris enjoys working and living in East Tennessee because of the mountains, lakes, and various sports seasons. He appreciates the diversity offered by a city with a major university, an excellent public school system, and proximity to the scientific power of Oak Ridge and UT. Dr. Harris also enjoys the arts and entertainment offered in Knoxville and its thriving downtown.

An avid swimmer, hiker and Vol sports fan, Dr. Harris also is an alumnus of the UT Pride of the Southland Band. He plays trombone with the alumni band at the Tennessee homecoming football game each fall, and with the UT Pep-band at Tennessee home basketball games during the winter break.

Community service is an important part of Dr. Harris’ life. He has been the public address announcer for Bearden High School’s boys’ and girls’ soccer teams since 1999. He has volunteered as the Medical Director of the East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank since 1994. He also offers free medical services to less fortunate patients through Knoxville’s InterFaith Health Clinic; Knoxville Area Project Access, a philanthropic project of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation; and Remote Area Medical (RAM), which provides free care in medically under-served areas around the world.

Dr. Harris is married to Dr. Patricia Harris, a clinical pharmacist, and they have three children who all became physicians: Dr. Lauren Harris, an ophthalmologist and cornea specialist who joined University Eye Specialists in 2014; Dr. David Harris III, an ophthalmologist and cornea specialist who teaches at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City; and Dr. Andrew Harris, an orthopedic surgeon and hand specialist in Salt Lake City, who plans to join University Orthopedics in Knoxville in 2020. The Harrises have two grandchildren, Heidi Marie Harris and Callaway Lyle Harris.

Dr. Lauren Harris is a cornea specialist. When she started college she thought she might want to be a pilot; however, her love of medicine took over. She earned a degree in biomedical engineering with highest honors before going on to medical school. Toward the end of medical school, she realized ophthalmology would be a good fit for her as she has a penchant for small things.

Dr. Harris performs corneal transplants, cataract surgery, removal of pre-cancerous and cancerous growths as well as many other surgical procedures on the eye. Cornea transplants can be full or partial thickness and different surgical skills are required for each type. Dr. Harris also performs LASIK, another procedure in which she can restore sight and dramatically improve her patient’s vision. Additionally, she sees patients from the InterFaith Clinic and Knoxville Area Project Access, as being able to make a difference in the lives of those in need is a benefit of ophthalmology that she cherishes and holds dear to her heart.

Practicing amongst the breathtaking Smoky Mountains allows Dr. Lauren Harris to explore her passions outside of patient care. Having a proclivity towards staying active, in her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, water skiing, wake surfing, snowboarding, and traveling.

Dr. David Harris brings his expertise as a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, Cataract Surgeon, and Cornea Specialist to his practice at University Eye Specialists in East Tennessee. His journey in eye care began with a medical degree from the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. Dr. Harris furthered his training with a residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, followed by a Fellowship in Cornea & External Diseases.

Previously, Dr. Harris held an academic appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Manhattan. Now, his focus is on serving the East Tennessee community, providing comprehensive eye care services at University Eye Specialists.

Dr. Harris offers a wide range of services, including routine eye exams, medical and laser treatments, and advanced surgical interventions. His expertise encompasses routine and complex cataract surgery, utilizing state-of-the-art techniques to optimize patient outcomes. Additionally, he specializes in the diagnosis and management of corneal diseases, tailoring treatment plans to individual patient needs.

Driven by a commitment to advancing patient care, Dr. Harris stays abreast of the latest developments in ophthalmology. He is particularly interested in innovative treatments such as laser cataract surgery and advanced intraocular lens implants, aiming to improve the quality of life for his patients and enhance their visual outcomes.

Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), Dr. Harris is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the New York State Ophthalmological Society, and the Cornea Society. Through his involvement in these esteemed groups, he remains at the forefront of his field, continuously expanding his knowledge and skills to better serve his patients.

With a dedication to excellence and a patient-centered approach to care, Dr. David Harris is committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive eye care services to the East Tennessee community.

Dr. Janis Holt attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Art History. She earned a Master of Science in Molecular Biology from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. She also received her Doctor of Medicine from Saint Louis University in 2001. Dr. Holt completed her ophthalmology residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. In 2005, she went on to complete a fellowship in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Holt is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She is licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee, Missouri, and Florida.

Prior to joining Baptist Eye Surgeons, Dr. Holt was an assistant professor at the University of Florida where she taught ophthalmic surgery and provided care for veterans at the North Florida/South Georgia V.A. Medical Center.

She currently specializes in cataract surgery, corneal disease and transplantation, as well as comprehensive ophthalmology and cosmetic Botox.

After Dr. Laham received his B.S. degree at Miami University, Ohio, he attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He later completed an Internal Medicine internship at The Christ Hospital.

Dr. Laham’s two-year Vitreo-retinal Surgical Fellowship was completed at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also served as an Ophthalmic Hospitalist. His Ophthalmology Residency was completed at the University of Cincinnati Department of Ophthalmology.

He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retinal Surgeons.

Dr. Laham’s wife grew up in Tennessee, and his in-laws live in southern Kentucky, so he feels at home in Knoxville. His favorite activities are spending time with his wife, daughter, and their three cats. He also enjoys hiking and outdoor activities.

Dr. McMillan joined Southeastern Retina Associates in 1997, after finishing a prestigious postgraduate Harvard University fellowship in surgical retinal disease at Schepens Retina Associates of Boston, Massachusetts.

His college education began at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he was a National Merit Scholar. He earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry in 1986. He stayed in Tennessee to earn a medical degree in 1990, from East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City. He interned at ETSU before accepting a year’s fellowship in Preclinical Ocular Pathology and Glaucoma Research at Storm Eye Institute of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Dr. McMillan served a three year residency in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson before moving to Boston. He later returned home to Knoxville to begin his professional practice at SERA.

Dr. Miller, like so many of his SERA colleagues, is comfortable rendering eye care to his fellow Tennesseans. He earned his undergraduate degree with highest honors at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1981, and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville in 1985. He moved back to Knoxville for an internship at UT Medical Center, and then to Gainesville, Florida, to serve a residency at the University of Florida. Morgantown, West Virginia, was Dr. Miller’s next training ground, where, in 1989, he held a fellowship in retina/vitreous at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center.

Next stop, home again. He began his professional practice with Southeastern Retina Associates in Knoxville in 1990.

Dr. J. Franklin Murchison, M.D. went to Jackson Central Merry High School in Jackson, Tennessee where he graduated in June 1979 as second in a class of 399. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, from 1979 to 1982 where he majored in Chemistry and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He received his M.D. at the University of Tennessee in Memphis (1982 – 1986). He completed his internship at the University of Tennessee Hospital in Knoxville, TN (1986 – 1987) and his residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina (1987 – 1990). He also completed a fellowship in Cornea/External Disease (1990 – 1991) at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida.

Dr. Murchison is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (1991)

In his free time, Dr. Murchison likes skiing both on the water and through the snow, fishing, tennis, hiking, and medical missions.

Dr. Murchison currently specializes in Cataract Surgery (Premium Intraocular Lenses), Corneal Transplantation, Ocular Surface Reconstruction, Refractive Surgery including LASIK and PRK, DMEK, and Ocular Infections.

Dr. Nave is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and a native of East Tennessee, who is passionate about making a positive difference in patients’ lives. His commitment to excellence and patient-centered care aligns perfectly with our mission to provide the highest quality eye care to our community.

Education and Training

Dr. Nave graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. Following his undergraduate studies, Dr. Nave earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, and then went on to receive his ophthalmology training at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. During his residency, Dr. Nave honed his surgical skills and gained expertise in the latest advancements in eye care.

Specialites

Dr. Nave has training and experience in comprehensive ophthalmology. He specializes in cataract surgery and loves giving patients back the opportunity to have vision like they did years ago. In addition, he is able to perform multiple treatments for glaucoma. This includes minimally invasive glaucoma surgery as well as laser treatments.

Many glaucoma sufferers struggle with the burden of having to apply medications every day. Dr. Nave is able to use lasers to help minimize this burden and provide lasting relief. He can also provide treatment for minor eyelid procedures, diabetic retinopathy, and general ophthalmology.

Patient-Centered Care

One of the qualities that truly sets Dr. Nave apart is his patient-centered approach to care. It’s also one of the reasons he wanted to practice at Baptist Eye Surgeons. He believes in the importance of forming strong doctor-patient relationships built on trust and communication. Dr. Nave takes the time to thoroughly educate his patients about their conditions and treatment options and involve them in the process, empowering them to make informed decisions about their eye care.

He is passionate about giving patients back their youthful eyesight and walking through their eye health journey with them every step of the way from consultation to surgery to aftercare. He is committed to the health of his patients in his community and wanted to move back to East Tennessee to help provide better eye care to people in his own hometown.

Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Nave enjoys hanging out with his black lab Hank. Their favorite activity is going hiking and on runs by the river in Downtown Knoxville! He is thrilled to be back in Sevierville, spending time with family and friends.

When Dr. Nave is not with Hank or his family, he enjoys supporting his alma mater and cheering on the University of Tennessee. But the Vols aren’t the only thing he loves. You may experience Dr. Nave referencing or quoting his favorite movies: Star Wars.

Dr. Christopher P. O’Brien MD, MBA practices both pediatric and comprehensive ophthalmology in East Tennessee. He is a graduate of the Washington University in St. Louis Economics program and is the only graduate to ever concurrently receive MD, MBA, and MPH degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. O’Brien served as chief resident during residency in ophthalmology at New York Medical College and pursued additional specialized training in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at both the University of California San Diego’s Shiley Eye Center and the Naval Medical Center San Diego.

In his spare time, Dr. O’Brien enjoys crossfit, music, photography, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Perkins joined Southeastern Retina Associates in 2002. His educational and professional credentials are outstanding.

He began his career training at North Carolina State University, Raleigh where he earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry. Four years later, in 1995, he finished his medical degree at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Then it was on to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville to serve a one-year internal medicine internship, and back to Duke for a three-year residency in ophthalmology.

After holding a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Dr. Perkins joined Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat in North Carolina for a year before moving his practice to Knoxville.

In 2009 he spent time in South America performing ophthalmic laser surgery for poverty- stricken citizens of Milagro, Ecuador. His work was sponsored by Medical Ministry International.

Dr. Perkins’ other interests are as engaging and vigorous as his professional focus. He enjoys trail biking, whitewater kayaking, snow skiing, and Jack Russell terriers.

Dr. Robert (Gene) Price is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. He received his Bachelors of Science in 1981 from Christian Brothers College in Memphis, Tennessee graduating summa cum laude. He then received his M.D. degree from ETSU in Johnson City, Tennessee in 1985. Dr. Price completed his internship and residency in ophthalmology in Memphis, Tennessee, and his fellowship in glaucoma at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Dr. Price is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in glaucoma and cataract surgery.

Dr. Price opened his Knoxville practice in 1991, and he has performed thousands of cataract and glaucoma surgeries. He is able to offer standard lens implants as well as premium lens implants that correct astigmatism and reading vision.

Joining University Eye Specialists in January of 2022, Dr. Price’s meticulous attention to detail and compassionate patient care has added a tremendous value to the group.

Dr. Pruett attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he majored in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology. Following his undergraduate degree, he attended medical school at Emory University where he graduated magna cum laude. Dr. Pruett completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at Emory University. He was privileged to serve as Chief Resident during his final year of residency. Dr. Pruett also completed a year of fellowship in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma at Emory. 

Dr. Pruett served as Assistant Professor at Emory University for 5 years. During that time, he also served as Residency Program Director, where he was responsible for training the next generation of ophthalmologists, as well as Chief of Service at Grady Memorial Hospital. He was honored to receive the Thomas Aaberg, Sr., M.D. Clinical Teaching Award three of his five years at Emory.

Dr. Pruett currently provides comprehensive eye care including care of cataracts, dry eyes, and diabetic eye disease. He also specializes in the medical, laser, and surgical treatment of glaucoma.

In his free time, Dr. Pruett enjoys hiking, camping, and barbecue.

Dr. Matthew Rouse specializes in glaucoma, treatment of diseases and surgery of the eye. The East Tennessee native joined University Eye Specialists in 2011.

Dr. Rouse started medical school with the intention of entering pediatrics or family medicine but became captivated by eye care and surgery while on rotations. A trip with an ophthalmologist to El Salvador in his fourth year of medical school as part of Lions Clubs International’s sight services sealed Dr. Rouse’s decision. He witnessed the profound effect that an ophthalmologist could have in restoring quality of life.

Dr. Rouse earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees from UT-Knoxville and UT-Memphis, respectively. While completing some of his medical studies in Chattanooga, Dr. Rouse would meet his future wife; he also did a rotation in Knoxville with UES’ Dr. David J. Harris Jr.

After completing his internship at the University of Kentucky – Dr. Rouse, a Vol fan, would attend Kentucky basketball games wearing orange – and residency in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he joined University Eye Specialists, which knew of his specialty in glaucoma and recruited Dr. Rouse to come home.

Treating glaucoma patients means trying to save vision, while also helping patients through a difficult time with a serious eye disease. Dr. Rouse gets to know his patients during this time and considers their trust in him to be a privilege to earn.

He joined UES because he believes the practice has ethical professionals who make the right decisions for patients and have the technical and medical skills to provide the best eye care.

Born and raised in Oak Ridge, Dr. Rouse enjoys living in East Tennessee because of the easy access to the mountains and opportunities to hike and fish. Dr. Rouse also is a lifelong Tennessee fan, so he likes being able to attend UT sporting events.

He and his wife, Gina Rouse, are both avid runners, including marathons. He is a member of the Knoxville Track Club and Knoxville Endurance. The Rouses are members of Sevier Heights Baptist Church. They have three daughters, Carlie, Lydia and Michaela.

Dr. Allyson D. Schmitt is an ophthalmologist in Knoxville, Tennessee and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including East Tennessee Children's Hospital and University of Tennessee Medical Center. She received her medical degree from Memphis Hospital Medical College.

Dr. Shuler attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he graduated with Highest Distinction and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1994. He received his M.D. from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He then completed two years as an intern and a categorical General Surgery Resident at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.

Dr. Shuler returned to Emory University for a National Institute of Health funded, two-year post-doctoral research fellowship in molecular biology and genetics of the eye. He stayed at Emory University for his Ophthalmology Residency where he received a Residents’ Day Research Award two years in a row

Dr. Shuler was selected as one of four residents and/or fellows in the country to present his research at the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Meeting in 2005. He was awarded the prestigious Heed Fellowship as he began his two-year clinical fellowship in vitreoretinal disease and surgery at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. During his last year, he was honored with the Hornaday Award, given to the most outstanding fellow at Duke University.

Before joining Southeastern Retina Associates, P.C. in June 2012, Dr. Shuler practiced with Carolina Eye Associates for five years in Pinehurst, NC.

Outside of clinical practice, Dr. Shuler enjoys fly fishing, golf, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Darin S. Smith, M.D. attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, where he earned a B.A. double major in Biology and Chemistry(1986-1990) and ranked 7th out of 1538 graduates. Following his undergraduate degree, he moved to Durham, NC, to attend Duke University where he received his M.D. (1990-1994). He completed his internship at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke VA (1994-1995) and his residency in Dallas, TX at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center – Parkland Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Smith received his board certification and licensure from the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

In his free time, Dr. Smith’s interests are physical fitness, Christian-related activities, Cataract Surgery mission trips, and family activities.

Dr. Steven L. Sterling is board certified and member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology, Tennessee Medical Association, and the Knoxville Academy of Medicine.

After receiving his bachelors degree at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Dr. Sterling earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis and graduated in the top 3rd of his class.

Since 1989, Dr. Sterling has been faithfully involved with the World Cataract Foundation. By participating on nearly 15 medical mission trips to Ometepec, Mexico, Dr. Sterling has been able to assist with approximately 1000 eye screenings and nearly 200 surgeries on each visit.

Dr. Sweet obtained his degree in medicine from William Beaumont School of Medicine at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. He spent a transition year as Chief Resident at Beaumont Hospital in Taylor, MI. He then completed his residency in Comprehensive Ophthalmology at the Kellogg Eye Center at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI before joining Baptist Eye Surgeons in July 2020.

Dr. Sweet is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Sweet enjoys spending time with his wife and their four children. This includes being outdoors every chance they get. They love hiking, swimming, and kayaking, and the kids love learning the fundamentals of outdoor life. Dr. Sweet also enjoys traveling with his best friend to scuba dive, volcano board, and more, all while capturing their adventures with his drone.