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Amelia Esquer
Amelia is truly dedicated to the Orange County region where she lives with her three sons and husband, explores the outdoors, and volunteers at Casa Teresa for homeless expectant mothers. She is a student working toward a degree in business administration, but has over seven years of experience in the eye care industry, and even became a certified optician. She loves working at La Paz Optometric because the team is wonderful, and she gets to see patients’ faces light up daily when they discover a world with clear sight.
Rene Escareno
A California native through and through, Rene now lives in Long Beach with his wife and son, Jessica and Ayden, while their daughter is away at school in Oregon. They have a few pet parakeets, two German shepherds, and a bearded dragon. When not helping his patients see clearly, Rene loves going on walks in nature, biking on the beach, and coaching his son in baseball and football. He is also bilingual in English and Spanish, which helps him better serve a wider range of patients in need.
Rene pivoted to working in optical from being a surgical technician at UCLA, and has never looked back! He likes being a constant resource for his patients by answering all their questions, forming bonds, and easing their concerns about everything from eyewear to surgery. Every day at our practice is fun for Rene because he’s happy to work in a collaborative environment alongside knowledgeable, friendly doctors and staff.
Jody Kamifuji
Jody happened on working in eye care by chance but has embraced the fulfillment it brings ever since. She especially loves when patients return to our office excited for their eye exam, and get the perfect glasses and contacts to help them see clearly. Jody is proud to be part of the North Tustin Optometric center team because she works with others who are just as committed to patient satisfaction and happiness as she is.
Born and Jody was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, now lives in Anaheim with husband, daughter, and their pet dog, Kona. She has always loved helping others and in the past has volunteered as a hospital candy striper, and a parent helper with her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop. In her time away from the office, Jody enjoys listening to country and Hawaiian music, and taking long walks.
Yoon Sanders
Yoon was born in South Korea, (she speaks fluent Korean!) grew up in Orange County, and settled in Irvine with her husband and two Bengal cats. Some of her hobbies are dancing, singing, crafting, graphic designing, cooking, photography, and more. She also dedicates her time to noble causes like the environment and feeding the hungry through local foodbanks. Yoon served in the U.S. Military, which is where she first got experience in eye care, and loves being able to help people through her work. She’s happy to be in an office unique for its teamwork and state-of-the-art equipment that allows for great patient experiences.
Jessica Yerington
While working in the optometric field fell into Jessica’s lap, the more she learned about it, the more it became her passion! Jessica enjoys being on our diverse team because she’s surrounded by others who truly care about their patients as she does, and we offer the newest technology to provide the best service around. A Southern California native and fluent Spanish speaker, Jessica lives with her husband Blake, their son Dylan, and her son’s bearded dragon, Rex. When not assisting patients with their eyewear needs, she likes traveling, binge-streaming movies and television, and spending time with family and friends.
Melody Flood
Currently living in Costa Mesa with her husband Patrick and their baby, Melody has lived in Orange County her whole life. She’s proud to be part of our practice because, like her, there’s always someone willing to go the extra mile for patients using the latest technology and optical solutions. Her priority is to give patients their best vision through fashionable glasses, and her fluency in Spanish allows her to help even more people. When not doing that, she likes traveling, watching sports, crafting, and streaming television shows. She’s also an animal lover, shown through her veganism and donations of food and supplies to area cat rescues!
Esmery Ramirez
Esmery decided to pursue a path in eye care because she appreciates bringing a smile to her patients’ faces (especially the little ones!) when they can see clearly with fun, tasteful glasses that fit their personality. She was born in Central America, raised in the City of Angels, and now lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband and two sons. Outside of work, you can find her outdoors hiking local trails, spending time at the beach, or visiting National Parks. Esmery enjoys volunteering with youth programs that engage kids in protecting our environment and giving back to the community. She’s also fluent in Spanish!
Lilian Galvan
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, Lilian was recruited by an optical center and has stuck with the profession she loves ever since. She has years in the industry under her belt, along with her dispensing license, and is in her element when educating her patients on the best lenses for their vision needs and frames for their look. Lilian can connect to her Spanish speaking patients on a personal level because she is fluent in the language. She resides in Fullerton with her husband and their young daughter, who keeps her happily busy playing tag, cooking, and crafting after work! Loved ones are at the heart of everything Lilian does, including her weekend get-togethers with her husband’s family.
Guadalupe “Lupe” Madsen
Lupe was born and raised in San Juan Capistrano in Orange County and lives in Lake Elsinore with her husband, their daughter, and newborn son. Theirs is a military family: her being in the U.S. Army Reserve and her husband in the U.S. Marine Corps. In Lupe’s spare time, her hobbies are running and working out, crafting, and spending cherished time with her family. Lupe has been drawn to eye care since completing an internship at an optometry office at age 17. She especially loves working at our practice with great technology, a wide selection of lenses and frames, and supportive staff that provide an amazing patient experience.
Erin Gandara
Erin lives with her fiancé, Jonathan, their new baby boy, and their dog, Ladybug. When not in the La Paz Optometric Center office, she enjoys being outside, running, watching Lakers games, and being with family. Being able to help patients of all ages find creative, stylish frames to suit their needs is the main reason Erin became an optician. Her favorite part about our practice is the family feel and supportive staff who are always ready to jump in to take care of our patients.
Meggie Castro
Originally from Southern California, Meggie resides in Orange County with her family and five cats. Her interests include spending time with loved ones, camping, and exploring outdoors. Since middle school, Meggie has wanted to be an optometrist, and is proud to gain expertise at La Paz Optometric Center as part of her training. She loves going the extra mile for those in need and seeing the emotional impact clear, comfortable sight can have. Meggie is thrilled to have joined our team, and notes the positive, collaborative efforts help provide the highest quality care to patients.
Nina Rivas
Nina is currently applying to optometry school, and loves being a part of the La Paz Optometric team because of the encouraging doctors who share their knowledge and the appreciative patients she helps along the way. She is skilled in connecting with patients in a positive way to better explain their care and improve their quality of life. Nina is from Whittier, and lives with her boxer/pitbull mix named Roxie. Outside our office, she likes traveling, reading, working out, listening to podcasts, solo beach trips, and camping!
Erika Perez
Born and raised in Southern California, Erika likes to read and lives an active lifestyle as a self-described “gym rat,” who also goes on early morning hikes in Orange County with her dog, Canelo. Erika also helps others look and feel great as a freelance makeup artist and by donating clothes to her community. She loves coming to work because she has a team of professionals alongside her who look after patients’ every need, from pre-exam screenings to eyewear. What warms her heart most is helping young kids apply contact lenses and making them feel comfortable, confident, and accomplished. Spanish is also Erika’s first language, so being able to aid patients of all different backgrounds is another one of her strengths.
Marisa Corral
Marisa has been a Southern California resident all her life, and currently lives with her parents in the suburban home she grew up in. She has been at la Paz Optometric Center for five years and counting because of its family atmosphere, literally and figuratively: everyone cares deeply about one another, and she has a fellow family member on staff! What makes her happiest is being able to connect patients with the care they need and answer their questions. When not at the office, she loves to read, snack on popcorn while watching Korean dramas, and indulge her sweet tooth for Chunky Monkey ice cream!
Michele Corral
Originally from Los Angeles, Michele lives in South Orange County with her husband in the same home where she raised her two adult daughters. Her pastimes include cooking, collecting recipes and cookbooks, being with family, and exploring different parts of California. Though she began working in eye care by accident, she fell in love with it, and after 19 years on our team remains dedicated to every patient who walks through the door. She’s thrilled to represent a practice that not only fills patients’ optical and medical needs, but also takes the time to get to know them on a deeper level to provide the best care.
Dr. James Cooperman
Dear Patients,
After long and careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the practice of optometry, effective May 2022. Partly influenced by the COVID pandemic as well as other events in my life, my priorities have shifted, and it is time to start the next chapter of my life.
It has been a joy and privilege to be your eye doctor. The gift of sight is precious, and I enjoyed the responsibility of teaming with you all to protect and maximize it. I was fortunate to assemble a caring team of staff and doctors who were (and still are) dedicated to providing top notch quality of care. They are quality people, and I will always be grateful to them. Special thanks to Dr. Barbara Fineberg, who started the practice in 1987.
I am happy to report that you will continue to be in good hands with your eye care. Dr. Aaron Chi has taken over as the lead optometrist in the practice. I have worked side by side with him for the last 7 months. He is an excellent clinician, and a friendly and caring person. I’ve received excellent feedback from my patients who have seen him at their recent visits. I am confident that you will enjoy Dr. Chi as your new eye doctor.
House remodel projects, sleeping in, reading more, enjoying more time with my amazing wife Miok, getting into better shape, upping my back yard grilling and smoking game, travelling, attending to some neglected relationships, increasing wine exploration, hanging out with our doggies more, clearing decades of junk from the house, organizing decades of treasures in the house, moving a little more slowly and smelling the roses. That’s the retirement plan.
It was a great run. Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cooperman
Nancy Le
Nancy has been committed to the eye care field since an after-school job at age 15. Her favorite role is “playing Cupid” to match the perfect pair of glasses to her patients, who she cares for as an extension of her family. She’s passionate about our practice because of the advanced technology and solutions used to help patients, in addition to having one of the largest selection of frames. Nancy is settled in Irvine with her husband and their son and daughter. She likes to travel, hike, take in sunsets, shop at farmers markets, try out local restaurants, and devoting time to her son’s baseball team and her local church.
Daniel Cabanas
Originally from Orange, Daniel still lives in his hometown and spends his free time immersed in music, and even plays five different instruments. He chose to work in optical because he loves helping people get the eyewear they deserve. Daniel is fluent in Spanish, which allows him to provide invaluable support and guidance to Spanish-only speaking patients, as well as his team so they can deliver the best care. A bonus for him is working alongside people from various backgrounds who care deeply about their patients and make every day interesting.
Jakub Awadallah
A California native, Jakub lives in coastal Orange County, and is a self-professed “foodie” who loves trying new local restaurants, as well as spending time outdoors. He finds it most fulfilling to fit children with their first pair of glasses, adding to his love of helping patients find the perfect eyewear. Jakub is patient and compassionate in his approach, and enjoys seeing new and familiar faces walking through our doors, and being there for all their eye care needs. Another feather in his cap is that he is bilingual, speaking English and Polish.
Lina Pham
Lina began her eye care journey 12-plus years ago, and has stuck with it ever since. As someone who profoundly values her patients’ comfort, she takes her time to put them at ease while tailoring their eyewear to suit their needs. The talents and dedication of the staff here are a few of the reasons she’s proud to be part of our team. Lina lives in Stanton with husband, their two daughters, and dog named Theo. She leads an active, adventurous lifestyle through hiking, exploring, snowboarding, and goes to the gym five days a week to powerlift.
Nancy Jansen
Nancy has over 30 years of experience in providing patients with stunningly clear vision and personalized care. She treats every patient like a treasured family member, and devotes herself to their satisfaction. Raised in Orange County — where she currently lives with her granddaughter, dog, cat, and hamster — Nancy is well-traveled, previously living in Colorado, Wyoming, and Virginia. When not making sure her patients get quality service and the best glasses or contacts for their unique eyes, she finds joy in gardening and soccer.
Samantha “Sammy” Shores
Samantha, or as we like to call her — Sammy — is from Seattle, and moved to California after living in Maryland for a bit of time. She resides in Huntington Beach with her boyfriend and two (really cute) cats. After working for an optometrist in her home city, Samantha was drawn to work in eye care and has continued to develop her passion, particularly for helping patients with specialty contact lenses. She is grateful for her coworkers’ constant support and teamwork, and adds that they make each day fun and enjoyable. In her time away from the office, she likes baking, watching cooking shows, and watching dance videos.
Dr. Justine Hsieh
Dr. Hsieh is a born and raised Orange County native. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology before traveling to the Bay Area to earn her Doctor of Optometry degree from the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Her extensive training includes clinical externships at San Francisco VA Medical Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, CA, Alameda Health System in Oakland, CA, Meredith Morgan Eye Center in Berkeley, CA, and OMNI Eye Services in New Jersey.
Dr. Hsieh is a glaucoma certified optometrist, licensed by the State Board of Optometry in California. She is experienced in the detection, treatment, and management of eye diseases including glaucoma, cataracts, allergies, and dry eyes. In addition to prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, Dr. Hsieh provides high-quality care for patients with a wide variety of eye conditions, as well as patients who have undergone LASIK and cataract surgery. Dr. Hsieh is a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, and Orange County Optometric Society.
Dr. Hsieh is dedicated to providing quality care and education to patients of their vision and eye health. When not caring for her patients, she enjoys traveling, trying out new restaurants, drinking coffee, and spending quality time with her fiancé, friends, and family.
Dr. Amanda Walsh
Dr. Amanda Walsh is a graduate of Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, where she earned her Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. She served as the Class President, President of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and Vice President of the Gold Key Honor Society. A Southern California native, Dr. Walsh received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University San Marcos.
She has completed several advanced internships specializing in primary care, pediatrics, contact lenses, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, low vision, binocular vision disorders and pre- and post-operative care for LASIK and cataract surgery patients. She interned at the Phoenix Veterans Hospital, Midwestern Eye Institute and Accent Eyecare and Sports Vision Therapy Clinic.
As part of her training, Dr. Walsh conducted research with a focus on the effect of blue light exposure on human retinal cells. Her special interests include myopia management, dry eye treatment and specialty contact lenses. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and California Optometric Association. Additionally, she enjoys volunteering with the Illumination Foundation, Neighborhood Christian Clinic and Girl Scouts of America.
Dr. Walsh is excited to be a primary eye care provider in her home state and serve the communities of south Orange County. She treats every patient like family and provides them with the highest quality of care using the latest technology. When not seeing patients, Dr. Walsh enjoys spending time with her husband trying new food places, exploring the parks at Disneyland and traveling.
April Reyes Padilla
Born and raised in the Bay Area, April moved to Southern California in 2015 to attend college, and now lives in Orange County with her boyfriend and 15-year-old dog, Luna. When not assisting patients at Mission Viejo Optometric Center, she loves listening to medical and true crime podcasts, as well as exploring the arts through ceramics and painting classes. April can also help a wider variety of patients because she’s bilingual in Spanish!
Michael Navas
Michael was born in Queens, NY, and has lived in in Foothill Ranch for 23 years with his wife and daughter. In his free time, he stays active on the trails in Orange County near his home, and is an avid mountain biker. In Michael’s 25-plus years as a licensed optician, one of his favorite things is helping a child with a high prescription put on their first pair of glasses to see the world clearly for the first time. He and his coworkers pride themselves on taking time to get to know their patients and making them feel like they are part of the Mission Viejo Optometric Center family.
Jennifer Orozco
Originally from Santa Ana, Jennifer lives in Tustin now with her son. Ever since being presented with an opportunity at age 21 to start a career in eye care, she has loved it and never looked back. Jennifer enjoys connecting with patients of all ages on a deeper level to help them achieve amazing vision with the right eyewear. She is grateful to work with her with her fellow staff members — who she calls family — and getting to have their morning coffee together to prep for the day.
Sao Mai Nguyen
A California native, Sao Mai was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Mission Viejo, and now lives in Santa Ana with her longtime partner and their two “cat children,” Ramona and Juno. She attended the University of California, Riverside, and then began an internship at an optometry practice, where she fell in love with eye care. Since then, she’s enjoyed being an integral part of each patients’ ability to see clearly, and sharing in the joy and confidence a custom-fitted pair of glasses brings.
Sao Mai speaks elementary Vietnamese and Spanish, and in her spare time likes staying up on the latest fashion, playing video games, and watching television shows.
Travis Yu
Travis chose the optometric space for his career so he could help others improve their vision, and especially cherishes being an important part of a child’s clear sight journey. His first language is Cantonese, and he’s proud to spend his days in a diverse office among friendly people who put their patients needs above all else. Though he’s from the Bay Area, Travis now resides in Irvine with his best friend, and someday hopes to add a golden retriever to his chosen family. His hobbies include gaming, cooking, playing sports, and traveling.
Dr. Aaron Chi
Dr. Chi completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at UC San Diego and received his doctorate degree from Western University of Health Sciences. He graduated with Honors and was on the Dean’s List. He has clinical experience in a variety of settings such as the WJB Dorn Veterans Hospital (South Carolina) and Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (Twentynine Palms). He has also worked directly with a LASIK specialist and a glaucoma specialist. He provides a variety of services such glasses/contact lens prescriptions, specialty scleral lenses, and myopia management. He also manages a variety of eye conditions such as infections, dry eyes, glaucoma, and post-operative LASIK/cataract.
Dr. Chi has lived in Orange County since he emigrated from Taiwan over 20 years ago. He loves the diversity and food Orange County has to offer. Through the ups and downs, he remains a loyal Lakers fan and tries to watch most games. He also enjoys photography and keeping his car in tip-top shape. With all that, he cherishes the times he spends with his daughter and wife the most
Dr. Justine Hsieh
Dr. Hsieh is a born and raised Orange County native. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology before traveling to the Bay Area to earn her Doctor of Optometry degree from the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Her extensive training includes clinical externships at San Francisco VA Medical Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, CA, Alameda Health System in Oakland, CA, Meredith Morgan Eye Center in Berkeley, CA, and OMNI Eye Services in New Jersey.
Dr. Hsieh is a glaucoma certified optometrist, licensed by the State Board of Optometry in California. She is experienced in the detection, treatment, and management of eye diseases including glaucoma, cataracts, allergies, and dry eyes. In addition to prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, Dr. Hsieh provides high-quality care for patients with a wide variety of eye conditions, as well as patients who have undergone LASIK and cataract surgery. Dr. Hsieh is a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, and Orange County Optometric Society.
Dr. Hsieh is dedicated to providing quality care and education to patients of their vision and eye health. When not caring for her patients, she enjoys traveling, trying out new restaurants, drinking coffee, and spending quality time with her fiancé, friends, and family.
Dr. Emerick Nakasone
Dr. Nakasone was born and raised in Maui, Hawaii, but currently resides in Santa Ana (North Tustin), California. He has been an optometrist for more than 20 years, and an Orange County resident even longer, so he understands the wants and needs of the eclectic lifestyles here in the OC.
He graduated from Orange County’s very own Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, CA, is an Eagle Scout, and was enlisted in the United States Army for three years.
Dr. Nakasone is married and has three successful children and five grandchildren (and counting).
In his spare time, Dr. Nakasone loves track racing, even getting the fastest time at 1st Performance Driving School at Willow Springs Raceway.
Dr. Aaron Sako
Dr. Sako, who was born in Santa Monica and raised in Cerritos, first joined the La Paz Optometric family in 2001. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences in 1995 from the University of California Irvine, before earning his Doctor of Optometry, graduating with honors in 2000 from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida.
Dr. Sako’s current areas of focus are primary care, surgical consultations, surgical co-management, and specialty contact lenses. He is also glaucoma certified and is licensed in the use of therapeutic and diagnostic pharmaceutical agents. Dr. Sako has extensive clinical experience and training, and spent time at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida and the Aker Kasten Cataract and Laser Eye Institute in Boca Raton, Florida, before joining the La Paz Optometric team.
Dr. Sako is an affiliate member of a prominent Orange County laser center, allowing his patients to benefit from his unique understanding of LASIK, which he, himself, has undergone. He has also co-managed thousands of refractive procedures. A proponent of lifelong learning, Dr. Sako is also certified in Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT), which is a non-surgical option for correcting nearsightedness, which involves patients wearing specialty contact lenses during sleep.
Dr. Sako is a member of the American Optometric Association, the California Optometric Association, the Orange County Optometric Association, the Orange County Optometrist Club, and the Asian American Optometric Society. He is currently a member of the executive board for the Asian American Optometric Society and has been since 2004. He is also a member of the prestigious Advisory Board to Vision Laser Eye Centers in Newport Beach, California.
Dr. Sako believes in the importance of community service and always striving for excellence. This former Eagle Scout is currently an active member of the Mission Viejo Rotary Club and provides charitable annual eye exams and care through this organization to children in Baja, Mexico.
Dr. Sako lives in Ladera Ranch with his wife, Mako, and their three children Skylar, Payton, and Colby. When he is not helping patients, Dr. Sako enjoys exercising, skiing, playing golf, and spending time with friends and family. He also has a keen interest in music, and enjoys playing the Tahitian drums and strumming on his ukulele.
Dr. Shawn Yamamoto
Dr. Yamamoto earned his Bachelor of Arts in psych-biological sciences from the University of California, Riverside before traveling across the country to attend SUNY College of Optometry in New York City to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree. While earning his doctorate, Dr. Yamamoto actively participated in charity programs that provided vision care for children at local elementary schools. Life in New York opened his eyes to the world around him, allowing him to learn about the latest innovations in the optometric field and granting him the skills that he uses to this day.
Dr. Yamamoto is also a partner in an optometry practice in Long Beach, California. His has experience working with a multitude of optometric practices including hospitals in India and at army bases. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the California Optometric Association, and his local optometric society. He also serves on the board of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as their treasurer.
Dr. Yamamoto lives in Fullerton, California with his wife, who works as an attorney for the City of Los Angeles. In his spare time he “tries” to play basketball with a variety of organized leagues and plays golf. One of his ambitions is to one day make the senior PGA tour, but for now, optometry remains his main passion.
Dr. Mimi Truong
Dr. Truong was born and raised in Orange County. She knew early on that she wanted to become an optometrist so after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of California, Irvine, she went on to the Southern California College of Optometry for her Doctor of Optometry degree. While earning her doctorate, she volunteered at the Braille Institute of Orange County and spent time at local schools to teach students about the optometry profession as a National Optometric Student Association liaison. Her training includes professional internships at New Eyes Ophthalmology in Las Vegas, Castle Family Health Center for the underserved population, San Diego Naval Medical Center and Ketchum Health Eye Center. She is licensed by the California State Board of Optometry in the diagnosis of glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. She is also certified in Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT).
Dr. Truong believes in preventative eyecare. She is passionate in learning about each of her patients and connecting their lifestyle to her findings to provide individualized suggestions that promote better eye health. She enjoys interacting with both her children and adult patients, and the stories that they share with her.
When Dr. Truong is not seeing patients, she enjoys going to Disneyland, re-watching all of the Marvel movies and shows, and spending time with her niece. A fun fact about Dr. Truong is that she memorized the entire script to the 1998 Mulan movie. Go ahead and quiz her on it when you see her!
Dr. Michael Lum
Dr. Lum discovered his passion for optometry while visiting his family optometrist in the 9th grade. His optometrist offered him a shadowing opportunity which turned into a part-time tech position that lasted through highschool and college. Dr. Lum was born in Orange County and raised in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Dr. Lum received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Vanguard University of Southern California and his Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. His professional experiences includes externships at Naval Health Clinic at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu Hawaii, Coastal Vision, OC Retina, University Eye Center Los Angeles, and Ketchum Health.
Dr. Lum is a California State Board Certified Optometrist and is certified to treat and manage Glaucoma. He is also certified to fit Paragon CRT lenses and Zenlens scleral lenses. Dr. Lum has experience diagnosing and managing a large variety of ocular diseases including dry eye, cataracts, and macular degeneration. When time permits, Dr. Lum volunteers at vision screenings hosted by Rotary, Special Olympics, and Care Harbor. Dr. Lum’s goal is always to provide the highest quality eye care as well as educate the patient about their eyes.
When he is not at the office, You’ll most likely find Dr. Lum at Disneyland with his family or in an online battlefield with his gaming crew. He also enjoys searching for new restaurants in Orange County (especially boba), experimenting with different types of wood to cook smoked meats in his family’s smoker, learning how to program games, creating pixel art, and building arcade machines.
Dr. Aaron Chi
Dr. Chi completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at UC San Diego and received his doctorate degree from Western University of Health Sciences. He graduated with Honors and was on the Dean’s List. He has clinical experience in a variety of settings such as the WJB Dorn Veterans Hospital (South Carolina) and Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital (Twentynine Palms). He has also worked directly with a LASIK specialist and a glaucoma specialist. He provides a variety of services such glasses/contact lens prescriptions, specialty scleral lenses, and myopia management. He also manages a variety of eye conditions such as infections, dry eyes, glaucoma, and post-operative LASIK/cataract.
Dr. Chi has lived in Orange County since he emigrated from Taiwan over 20 years ago. He loves the diversity and food Orange County has to offer. Through the ups and downs, he remains a loyal Lakers fan and tries to watch most games. He also enjoys photography and keeping his car in tip-top shape. With all that, he cherishes the times he spends with his daughter and wife the most
Dr. Justine Hsieh
Dr. Hsieh is a born and raised Orange County native. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology before traveling to the Bay Area to earn her Doctor of Optometry degree from the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Her extensive training includes clinical externships at San Francisco VA Medical Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, CA, Alameda Health System in Oakland, CA, Meredith Morgan Eye Center in Berkeley, CA, and OMNI Eye Services in New Jersey.
Dr. Hsieh is a glaucoma certified optometrist, licensed by the State Board of Optometry in California. She is experienced in the detection, treatment, and management of eye diseases including glaucoma, cataracts, allergies, and dry eyes. In addition to prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, Dr. Hsieh provides high-quality care for patients with a wide variety of eye conditions, as well as patients who have undergone LASIK and cataract surgery. Dr. Hsieh is a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, and Orange County Optometric Society.
Dr. Hsieh is dedicated to providing quality care and education to patients of their vision and eye health. When not caring for her patients, she enjoys traveling, trying out new restaurants, drinking coffee, and spending quality time with her fiancé, friends, and family.
Dr. James Cooperman
Dear Patients,
After long and careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the practice of optometry, effective May 2022. Partly influenced by the COVID pandemic as well as other events in my life, my priorities have shifted, and it is time to start the next chapter of my life.
It has been a joy and privilege to be your eye doctor. The gift of sight is precious, and I enjoyed the responsibility of teaming with you all to protect and maximize it. I was fortunate to assemble a caring team of staff and doctors who were (and still are) dedicated to providing top notch quality of care. They are quality people, and I will always be grateful to them. Special thanks to Dr. Barbara Fineberg, who started the practice in 1987.
I am happy to report that you will continue to be in good hands with your eye care. Dr. Aaron Chi has taken over as the lead optometrist in the practice. I have worked side by side with him for the last 7 months. He is an excellent clinician, and a friendly and caring person. I’ve received excellent feedback from my patients who have seen him at their recent visits. I am confident that you will enjoy Dr. Chi as your new eye doctor.
House remodel projects, sleeping in, reading more, enjoying more time with my amazing wife Miok, getting into better shape, upping my back yard grilling and smoking game, travelling, attending to some neglected relationships, increasing wine exploration, hanging out with our doggies more, clearing decades of junk from the house, organizing decades of treasures in the house, moving a little more slowly and smelling the roses. That’s the retirement plan.
It was a great run. Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cooperman
Nancy Le
Nancy has been committed to the eye care field since an after-school job at age 15. Her favorite role is “playing Cupid” to match the perfect pair of glasses to her patients, who she cares for as an extension of her family. She’s passionate about our practice because of the advanced technology and solutions used to help patients, in addition to having one of the largest selection of frames. Nancy is settled in Irvine with her husband and their son and daughter. She likes to travel, hike, take in sunsets, shop at farmers markets, try out local restaurants, and devoting time to her son’s baseball team and her local church.
Lina Pham
Lina began her eye care journey 12-plus years ago, and has stuck with it ever since. As someone who profoundly values her patients’ comfort, she takes her time to put them at ease while tailoring their eyewear to suit their needs. The talents and dedication of the staff here are a few of the reasons she’s proud to be part of our team. Lina lives in Stanton with husband, their two daughters, and dog named Theo. She leads an active, adventurous lifestyle through hiking, exploring, snowboarding, and goes to the gym five days a week to powerlift.
Jakub Awadallah
A California native, Jakub lives in coastal Orange County, and is a self-professed “foodie” who loves trying new local restaurants, as well as spending time outdoors. He finds it most fulfilling to fit children with their first pair of glasses, adding to his love of helping patients find the perfect eyewear. Jakub is patient and compassionate in his approach, and enjoys seeing new and familiar faces walking through our doors, and being there for all their eye care needs. Another feather in his cap is that he is bilingual, speaking English and Polish.
Nancy Jansen
Nancy has over 30 years of experience in providing patients with stunningly clear vision and personalized care. She treats every patient like a treasured family member, and devotes herself to their satisfaction. Raised in Orange County — where she currently lives with her granddaughter, dog, cat, and hamster — Nancy is well-traveled, previously living in Colorado, Wyoming, and Virginia. When not making sure her patients get quality service and the best glasses or contacts for their unique eyes, she finds joy in gardening and soccer.
Daniel Cabanas
Originally from Orange, Daniel still lives in his hometown and spends his free time immersed in music, and even plays five different instruments. He chose to work in optical because he loves helping people get the eyewear they deserve. Daniel is fluent in Spanish, which allows him to provide invaluable support and guidance to Spanish-only speaking patients, as well as his team so they can deliver the best care. A bonus for him is working alongside people from various backgrounds who care deeply about their patients and make every day interesting.
Samantha “Sammy” Shores
Samantha, or as we like to call her — Sammy — is from Seattle, and moved to California after living in Maryland for a bit of time. She resides in Huntington Beach with her boyfriend and two (really cute) cats. After working for an optometrist in her home city, Samantha was drawn to work in eye care and has continued to develop her passion, particularly for helping patients with specialty contact lenses. She is grateful for her coworkers’ constant support and teamwork, and adds that they make each day fun and enjoyable. In her time away from the office, she likes baking, watching cooking shows, and watching dance videos.
Travis Yu
Travis chose the optometric space for his career so he could help others improve their vision, and especially cherishes being an important part of a child’s clear sight journey. His first language is Cantonese, and he’s proud to spend his days in a diverse office among friendly people who put their patients needs above all else. Though he’s from the Bay Area, Travis now resides in Irvine with his best friend, and someday hopes to add a golden retriever to his chosen family. His hobbies include gaming, cooking, playing sports, and traveling.
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Dr. Amanda Walsh
Dr. Amanda Walsh is a graduate of Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, where she earned her Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. She served as the Class President, President of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and Vice President of the Gold Key Honor Society. A Southern California native, Dr. Walsh received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University San Marcos.
She has completed several advanced internships specializing in primary care, pediatrics, contact lenses, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, low vision, binocular vision disorders and pre- and post-operative care for LASIK and cataract surgery patients. She interned at the Phoenix Veterans Hospital, Midwestern Eye Institute and Accent Eyecare and Sports Vision Therapy Clinic.
As part of her training, Dr. Walsh conducted research with a focus on the effect of blue light exposure on human retinal cells. Her special interests include myopia management, dry eye treatment and specialty contact lenses. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and California Optometric Association. Additionally, she enjoys volunteering with the Illumination Foundation, Neighborhood Christian Clinic and Girl Scouts of America.
Dr. Walsh is excited to be a primary eye care provider in her home state and serve the communities of south Orange County. She treats every patient like family and provides them with the highest quality of care using the latest technology. When not seeing patients, Dr. Walsh enjoys spending time with her husband trying new food places, exploring the parks at Disneyland and traveling.
Michael Navas
Michael was born in Queens, NY, and has lived in in Foothill Ranch for 23 years with his wife and daughter. In his free time, he stays active on the trails in Orange County near his home, and is an avid mountain biker. In Michael’s 25-plus years as a licensed optician, one of his favorite things is helping a child with a high prescription put on their first pair of glasses to see the world clearly for the first time. He and his coworkers pride themselves on taking time to get to know their patients and making them feel like they are part of the Mission Viejo Optometric Center family.
Sao Mai Nguyen
A California native, Sao Mai was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Mission Viejo, and now lives in Santa Ana with her longtime partner and their two “cat children,” Ramona and Juno. She attended the University of California, Riverside, and then began an internship at an optometry practice, where she fell in love with eye care. Since then, she’s enjoyed being an integral part of each patients’ ability to see clearly, and sharing in the joy and confidence a custom-fitted pair of glasses brings.
Sao Mai speaks elementary Vietnamese and Spanish, and in her spare time likes staying up on the latest fashion, playing video games, and watching television shows.
Jennifer Orozco
Originally from Santa Ana, Jennifer lives in Tustin now with her son. Ever since being presented with an opportunity at age 21 to start a career in eye care, she has loved it and never looked back. Jennifer enjoys connecting with patients of all ages on a deeper level to help them achieve amazing vision with the right eyewear. She is grateful to work with her with her fellow staff members — who she calls family — and getting to have their morning coffee together to prep for the day.
April Reyes Padilla
Born and raised in the Bay Area, April moved to Southern California in 2015 to attend college, and now lives in Orange County with her boyfriend and 15-year-old dog, Luna. When not assisting patients at Mission Viejo Optometric Center, she loves listening to medical and true crime podcasts, as well as exploring the arts through ceramics and painting classes. April can also help a wider variety of patients because she’s bilingual in Spanish!
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Jody Kamifuji
Jody happened on working in eye care by chance but has embraced the fulfillment it brings ever since. She especially loves when patients return to our office excited for their eye exam, and get the perfect glasses and contacts to help them see clearly. Jody is proud to be part of the North Tustin Optometric center team because she works with others who are just as committed to patient satisfaction and happiness as she is.
Born and Jody was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, now lives in Anaheim with husband, daughter, and their pet dog, Kona. She has always loved helping others and in the past has volunteered as a hospital candy striper, and a parent helper with her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop. In her time away from the office, Jody enjoys listening to country and Hawaiian music, and taking long walks.
Rene Escareno
A California native through and through, Rene now lives in Long Beach with his wife and son, Jessica and Ayden, while their daughter is away at school in Oregon. They have a few pet parakeets, two German shepherds, and a bearded dragon. When not helping his patients see clearly, Rene loves going on walks in nature, biking on the beach, and coaching his son in baseball and football. He is also bilingual in English and Spanish, which helps him better serve a wider range of patients in need.
Rene pivoted to working in optical from being a surgical technician at UCLA, and has never looked back! He likes being a constant resource for his patients by answering all their questions, forming bonds, and easing their concerns about everything from eyewear to surgery. Every day at our practice is fun for Rene because he’s happy to work in a collaborative environment alongside knowledgeable, friendly doctors and staff.
Dr. Justine Hsieh
Dr. Hsieh is a born and raised Orange County native. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology before traveling to the Bay Area to earn her Doctor of Optometry degree from the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Her extensive training includes clinical externships at San Francisco VA Medical Center, Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, CA, Alameda Health System in Oakland, CA, Meredith Morgan Eye Center in Berkeley, CA, and OMNI Eye Services in New Jersey.
Dr. Hsieh is a glaucoma certified optometrist, licensed by the State Board of Optometry in California. She is experienced in the detection, treatment, and management of eye diseases including glaucoma, cataracts, allergies, and dry eyes. In addition to prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, Dr. Hsieh provides high-quality care for patients with a wide variety of eye conditions, as well as patients who have undergone LASIK and cataract surgery. Dr. Hsieh is a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, and Orange County Optometric Society.
Dr. Hsieh is dedicated to providing quality care and education to patients of their vision and eye health. When not caring for her patients, she enjoys traveling, trying out new restaurants, drinking coffee, and spending quality time with her fiancé, friends, and family.
Dr. Emerick Nakasone
Dr. Nakasone was born and raised in Maui, Hawaii, but currently resides in Santa Ana (North Tustin), California. He has been an optometrist for more than 20 years, and an Orange County resident even longer, so he understands the wants and needs of the eclectic lifestyles here in the OC.
He graduated from Orange County’s very own Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, CA, is an Eagle Scout, and was enlisted in the United States Army for three years.
Dr. Nakasone is married and has three successful children and five grandchildren (and counting).
In his spare time, Dr. Nakasone loves track racing, even getting the fastest time at 1st Performance Driving School at Willow Springs Raceway.
Amelia Esquer
Amelia is truly dedicated to the Orange County region where she lives with her three sons and husband, explores the outdoors, and volunteers at Casa Teresa for homeless expectant mothers. She is a student working toward a degree in business administration, but has over seven years of experience in the eye care industry, and even became a certified optician. She loves working at La Paz Optometric because the team is wonderful, and she gets to see patients’ faces light up daily when they discover a world with clear sight.
Michele Corral
Originally from Los Angeles, Michele lives in South Orange County with her husband in the same home where she raised her two adult daughters. Her pastimes include cooking, collecting recipes and cookbooks, being with family, and exploring different parts of California. Though she began working in eye care by accident, she fell in love with it, and after 19 years on our team remains dedicated to every patient who walks through the door. She’s thrilled to represent a practice that not only fills patients’ optical and medical needs, but also takes the time to get to know them on a deeper level to provide the best care.
Yoon Sanders
Yoon was born in South Korea, (she speaks fluent Korean!) grew up in Orange County, and settled in Irvine with her husband and two Bengal cats. Some of her hobbies are dancing, singing, crafting, graphic designing, cooking, photography, and more. She also dedicates her time to noble causes like the environment and feeding the hungry through local foodbanks. Yoon served in the U.S. Military, which is where she first got experience in eye care, and loves being able to help people through her work. She’s happy to be in an office unique for its teamwork and state-of-the-art equipment that allows for great patient experiences.
Jessica Yerington
While working in the optometric field fell into Jessica’s lap, the more she learned about it, the more it became her passion! Jessica enjoys being on our diverse team because she’s surrounded by others who truly care about their patients as she does, and we offer the newest technology to provide the best service around. A Southern California native and fluent Spanish speaker, Jessica lives with her husband Blake, their son Dylan, and her son’s bearded dragon, Rex. When not assisting patients with their eyewear needs, she likes traveling, binge-streaming movies and television, and spending time with family and friends.
Melody Flood
Currently living in Costa Mesa with her husband Patrick and their baby, Melody has lived in Orange County her whole life. She’s proud to be part of our practice because, like her, there’s always someone willing to go the extra mile for patients using the latest technology and optical solutions. Her priority is to give patients their best vision through fashionable glasses, and her fluency in Spanish allows her to help even more people. When not doing that, she likes traveling, watching sports, crafting, and streaming television shows. She’s also an animal lover, shown through her veganism and donations of food and supplies to area cat rescues!
Esmery Ramirez
Esmery decided to pursue a path in eye care because she appreciates bringing a smile to her patients’ faces (especially the little ones!) when they can see clearly with fun, tasteful glasses that fit their personality. She was born in Central America, raised in the City of Angels, and now lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband and two sons. Outside of work, you can find her outdoors hiking local trails, spending time at the beach, or visiting National Parks. Esmery enjoys volunteering with youth programs that engage kids in protecting our environment and giving back to the community. She’s also fluent in Spanish!
Lilian Galvan
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, Lilian was recruited by an optical center and has stuck with the profession she loves ever since. She has years in the industry under her belt, along with her dispensing license, and is in her element when educating her patients on the best lenses for their vision needs and frames for their look. Lilian can connect to her Spanish speaking patients on a personal level because she is fluent in the language. She resides in Fullerton with her husband and their young daughter, who keeps her happily busy playing tag, cooking, and crafting after work! Loved ones are at the heart of everything Lilian does, including her weekend get-togethers with her husband’s family.
Guadalupe “Lupe” Madsen
Lupe was born and raised in San Juan Capistrano in Orange County and lives in Lake Elsinore with her husband, their daughter, and newborn son. Theirs is a military family: her being in the U.S. Army Reserve and her husband in the U.S. Marine Corps. In Lupe’s spare time, her hobbies are running and working out, crafting, and spending cherished time with her family. Lupe has been drawn to eye care since completing an internship at an optometry office at age 17. She especially loves working at our practice with great technology, a wide selection of lenses and frames, and supportive staff that provide an amazing patient experience.
Erin Gandara
Erin lives with her fiancé, Jonathan, their new baby boy, and their dog, Ladybug. When not in the La Paz Optometric Center office, she enjoys being outside, running, watching Lakers games, and being with family. Being able to help patients of all ages find creative, stylish frames to suit their needs is the main reason Erin became an optician. Her favorite part about our practice is the family feel and supportive staff who are always ready to jump in to take care of our patients.
Meggie Castro
Originally from Southern California, Meggie resides in Orange County with her family and five cats. Her interests include spending time with loved ones, camping, and exploring outdoors. Since middle school, Meggie has wanted to be an optometrist, and is proud to gain expertise at La Paz Optometric Center as part of her training. She loves going the extra mile for those in need and seeing the emotional impact clear, comfortable sight can have. Meggie is thrilled to have joined our team, and notes the positive, collaborative efforts help provide the highest quality care to patients.
Nina Rivas
Nina is currently applying to optometry school, and loves being a part of the La Paz Optometric team because of the encouraging doctors who share their knowledge and the appreciative patients she helps along the way. She is skilled in connecting with patients in a positive way to better explain their care and improve their quality of life. Nina is from Whittier, and lives with her boxer/pitbull mix named Roxie. Outside our office, she likes traveling, reading, working out, listening to podcasts, solo beach trips, and camping!
Erika Perez
Born and raised in Southern California, Erika likes to read and lives an active lifestyle as a self-described “gym rat,” who also goes on early morning hikes in Orange County with her dog, Canelo. Erika also helps others look and feel great as a freelance makeup artist and by donating clothes to her community. She loves coming to work because she has a team of professionals alongside her who look after patients’ every need, from pre-exam screenings to eyewear. What warms her heart most is helping young kids apply contact lenses and making them feel comfortable, confident, and accomplished. Spanish is also Erika’s first language, so being able to aid patients of all different backgrounds is another one of her strengths.
Marisa Corral
Marisa has been a Southern California resident all her life, and currently lives with her parents in the suburban home she grew up in. She has been at la Paz Optometric Center for five years and counting because of its family atmosphere, literally and figuratively: everyone cares deeply about one another, and she has a fellow family member on staff! What makes her happiest is being able to connect patients with the care they need and answer their questions. When not at the office, she loves to read, snack on popcorn while watching Korean dramas, and indulge her sweet tooth for Chunky Monkey ice cream!
Dr. Aaron Sako
Dr. Sako, who was born in Santa Monica and raised in Cerritos, first joined the La Paz Optometric family in 2001. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences in 1995 from the University of California Irvine, before earning his Doctor of Optometry, graduating with honors in 2000 from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida.
Dr. Sako’s current areas of focus are primary care, surgical consultations, surgical co-management, and specialty contact lenses. He is also glaucoma certified and is licensed in the use of therapeutic and diagnostic pharmaceutical agents. Dr. Sako has extensive clinical experience and training, and spent time at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida and the Aker Kasten Cataract and Laser Eye Institute in Boca Raton, Florida, before joining the La Paz Optometric team.
Dr. Sako is an affiliate member of a prominent Orange County laser center, allowing his patients to benefit from his unique understanding of LASIK, which he, himself, has undergone. He has also co-managed thousands of refractive procedures. A proponent of lifelong learning, Dr. Sako is also certified in Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT), which is a non-surgical option for correcting nearsightedness, which involves patients wearing specialty contact lenses during sleep.
Dr. Sako is a member of the American Optometric Association, the California Optometric Association, the Orange County Optometric Association, the Orange County Optometrist Club, and the Asian American Optometric Society. He is currently a member of the executive board for the Asian American Optometric Society and has been since 2004. He is also a member of the prestigious Advisory Board to Vision Laser Eye Centers in Newport Beach, California.
Dr. Sako believes in the importance of community service and always striving for excellence. This former Eagle Scout is currently an active member of the Mission Viejo Rotary Club and provides charitable annual eye exams and care through this organization to children in Baja, Mexico.
Dr. Sako lives in Ladera Ranch with his wife, Mako, and their three children Skylar, Payton, and Colby. When he is not helping patients, Dr. Sako enjoys exercising, skiing, playing golf, and spending time with friends and family. He also has a keen interest in music, and enjoys playing the Tahitian drums and strumming on his ukulele.
Dr. Shawn Yamamoto
Dr. Yamamoto earned his Bachelor of Arts in psych-biological sciences from the University of California, Riverside before traveling across the country to attend SUNY College of Optometry in New York City to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree. While earning his doctorate, Dr. Yamamoto actively participated in charity programs that provided vision care for children at local elementary schools. Life in New York opened his eyes to the world around him, allowing him to learn about the latest innovations in the optometric field and granting him the skills that he uses to this day.
Dr. Yamamoto is also a partner in an optometry practice in Long Beach, California. His has experience working with a multitude of optometric practices including hospitals in India and at army bases. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the California Optometric Association, and his local optometric society. He also serves on the board of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as their treasurer.
Dr. Yamamoto lives in Fullerton, California with his wife, who works as an attorney for the City of Los Angeles. In his spare time he “tries” to play basketball with a variety of organized leagues and plays golf. One of his ambitions is to one day make the senior PGA tour, but for now, optometry remains his main passion.
Dr. Mimi Truong
Dr. Truong was born and raised in Orange County. She knew early on that she wanted to become an optometrist so after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of California, Irvine, she went on to the Southern California College of Optometry for her Doctor of Optometry degree. While earning her doctorate, she volunteered at the Braille Institute of Orange County and spent time at local schools to teach students about the optometry profession as a National Optometric Student Association liaison. Her training includes professional internships at New Eyes Ophthalmology in Las Vegas, Castle Family Health Center for the underserved population, San Diego Naval Medical Center and Ketchum Health Eye Center. She is licensed by the California State Board of Optometry in the diagnosis of glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. She is also certified in Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT).
Dr. Truong believes in preventative eyecare. She is passionate in learning about each of her patients and connecting their lifestyle to her findings to provide individualized suggestions that promote better eye health. She enjoys interacting with both her children and adult patients, and the stories that they share with her.
When Dr. Truong is not seeing patients, she enjoys going to Disneyland, re-watching all of the Marvel movies and shows, and spending time with her niece. A fun fact about Dr. Truong is that she memorized the entire script to the 1998 Mulan movie. Go ahead and quiz her on it when you see her!
Dr. Michael Lum
Dr. Lum discovered his passion for optometry while visiting his family optometrist in the 9th grade. His optometrist offered him a shadowing opportunity which turned into a part-time tech position that lasted through highschool and college. Dr. Lum was born in Orange County and raised in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Dr. Lum received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Vanguard University of Southern California and his Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. His professional experiences includes externships at Naval Health Clinic at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu Hawaii, Coastal Vision, OC Retina, University Eye Center Los Angeles, and Ketchum Health.
Dr. Lum is a California State Board Certified Optometrist and is certified to treat and manage Glaucoma. He is also certified to fit Paragon CRT lenses and Zenlens scleral lenses. Dr. Lum has experience diagnosing and managing a large variety of ocular diseases including dry eye, cataracts, and macular degeneration. When time permits, Dr. Lum volunteers at vision screenings hosted by Rotary, Special Olympics, and Care Harbor. Dr. Lum’s goal is always to provide the highest quality eye care as well as educate the patient about their eyes.
When he is not at the office, You’ll most likely find Dr. Lum at Disneyland with his family or in an online battlefield with his gaming crew. He also enjoys searching for new restaurants in Orange County (especially boba), experimenting with different types of wood to cook smoked meats in his family’s smoker, learning how to program games, creating pixel art, and building arcade machines.
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Jacquilin Nguyen
Jacquilin was drawn to the world of optometry because she wanted to help patients express themselves through their eyewear. Born and raised in Orange County, Jacquilin currently lives in Anaheim. She lends her time to charitable organizations like Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity and Lions Club International. Jacquilin enjoys learning from the team at La Paz Optometric Center because everyone has their own unique skillset and background. She enjoys dancing at concerts, thrift shopping, and traveling — she’s also fluent in Vietnamese!
Kevin Ingram
Kevin’s was inspired to join the optometric field when both of his brothers were born with a vision condition that affects them to this day. As Kevin gains experience in the field, he’s driven to learn all about his patients to personalize their care. A Riverside native, Kevin lives in Fountain Valley with his parents, brothers, and the family chihuahua-wiener dog named Mia. When Kevin isn’t learning from our skilled providers and helping patients see clearly, he enjoys studying, spending time with friends, and staying active at the gym!
Audria Tran
Originally from Louisiana, Audria moved to Bakersfield as a child, and now lives in Tustin with her aunt, uncle, and three cousins. She’s a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and enjoys playing the piano and violin in her spare time. Audria speaks Vietnamese and teaches kids about the Vietnamese culture and Catholic faith as a volunteer youth group leader at her church. As our intern, she’s excited to learn how to provide exceptional eye care to patients by getting hands-on experience using our array of advanced technology.
Amelia Esquer
Amelia is dedicated to serving the Orange County region, where she lives with her three sons and husband. She is a certified optician with over seven years of experience, and is currently working toward a degree in business administration. She loves working with the wonderful team at La Paz Optometric Center because she gets to see patients’ faces light up daily when they discover a world with clear sight. She enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering at Casa Teresa for homeless expectant mothers and organizing the Second Harvest Food Bank Thanksgiving fundraiser.
Carolyn Tran
A lifelong resident of Orange County, Carolyn resides with her family and boyfriend near Little Saigon, along with their furry friends — a hamster named Nimoy, and a dog named Tofu. At La Paz Optometric Center, she always goes above and beyond to make sure patients are well cared for. She sees her fellow staff as family and enjoys working with them to improve the lives of patients of all ages’ by bringing them the finest vision care. When she’s way from the office, she likes practicing yoga, reading books, and playing computer games.
Allison Lee
Allison began her professional journey in high school, working part-time at an optometric office, a role that she continued throughout her educational pursuits. Now, with nearly 20 years in the eye care sector under her belt, she still takes pride in using state-of-the-art technology to help patients see their best.
Raised in Orange County, Allison ventured to Japan for a year post-college to teach English to schoolchildren. Happily married, she has two young boys, and her weekends are filled with visits to parks and other family activities.
Lara Espinoza
Lara grew up in the ophthalmology field, often accompanying her mom to work at medical centers from a young age. She carries this familiarity into her interactions at the practice, where she enjoys getting to know patients personally while assisting them. She speaks Spanish, which helps her connect with a broader community, ensuring that everyone leaves feeling seen and heard. She enjoys the team dynamic at the office as it makes every day enjoyable for her.
Based in Tustin, California, Lara has a knack for making patients feel at ease, a trait she brings from her diverse experiences living in Boston, Las Vegas, and Mexico City. At home, she shares her life with her partner in crime Donnie, her senior poodle Lilly, and two spirited kittens, Kuromi and Naruto. When she’s not volunteering as a dog walker, Lara’s either lifting weights, boxing, dancing, or painting.
Dr. Greg Kame
Dr. Greg Kame received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Irvine in 1995. He then graduated in 1999 from the Southern California College of Optometry, where his father graduated 37 years earlier.
Dr. Kame is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Optometry. He served on the California State Board of Optometry, accepting 1 of only 6 professional positions appointed by the Governor of California. He is a past president of the Asian American Optometric Society and has served many years on its board. He currently serves as one of its trustees.
Dr. Kame is a past president of the Alumni Association Board at the Southern California College of Optometry. He served many years on its board as a director and vice-president. He was the treasurer and secretary of the nationally renowned contact lens group called the Society of Contact Lens Specialists. Dr. Kame also served as secretary of the Optometric Consultants in contact lenses.
Dr. Kame is a member of the Orange County Optometric Society, California Optometric Association, Asian American Optometric Society, and American Optometric Association. Dr. Kame has served on the National Professional Advisory Panel coordinated by Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. He is also a clinical examiner and grader for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). The NBEO is a nationwide clinical exam that graduating optometric students must pass to obtain their practicing license.
Dr. Kame is glaucoma certified and is licensed in the use of diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents. He treats eye diseases and conditions such as glaucoma, pink eye, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, keratitis, and bacterial infections. He has had extensive clinical experience at Nellis Air Force Base Veterans Hospital in Nevada, the Optometric Center of Los Angeles, the Optometric Center of Fullerton, and the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital.
Dr. Kame is an avid golf and basketball player. He is married to Anna S. Kame, also an optometrist. They have 4 children named Kaitlyn, Brooklyn, Lucas, and Avery.
October 2020
Dear Patients,
As they say in the UFC mixed martial arts (MMA) world … “It’s Time!”
However, growing up in Hawaii, we say ALOHA. After almost 40 years in this wonderful profession of optometry, I feel it’s my time to call it a career, sell the practice and retire. My “honey do list” is a long one and I have a bunch of automotive and woodworking tools that are virtually new and unused, begging for attention. It’s been a blessing to have met all of you. I treasure and will remember our encounters.
Thousands of you have enriched my life by allowing me into your family’s lives. Your trusting me with your vision has meant a lot. I gave it my best by limiting the amount of patients we scheduled per day so I could spend quality time with you and provide the best care I could.
In continuing to provide the best eye care for you and your family, I have carefully considered and screened potential doctors to continue your care for over two years. I am pleased to have chosen Dr. Justine Hsieh, Dr. Greg Kame and Dr. Aaron Sako, to take over the practice to carry on the tradition of highest quality of eye care and service to treat everyone like ohana (family). They come with great resumes and from very successful local practices. They are nice people as well!
The doctors and I have worked closely together in an effort to create a seamless transition. Over the next few months, we will be transitioning gradually which gives us an opportunity for patients to meet Dr. Hsieh, Dr. Kame and Dr. Sako.
I know you will be pleased with the doctors and team. Please extend them the same trust and loyalty that you have afforded me over the past 40 years. It gives me peace of mind to know you are in excellent hands for your continued eye care needs.
With Much ALOHA
Emerick “Rick” Nakasone, OD
