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Dr. Lynn A. Herndon
Dr. Lynn Herndon has called Springfield his home all of his life. He graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Science in 1978. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree (with honors) from the University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Optometry in 1984.
He is a past Board member of the Heart of America Contact Lens Society, as well as a past board member of the Missouri Optometric Foundation. He is a past president of the Greater Ozarks Optometric Society. Dr. Herndon currently holds membership in the American Optometric Association, the Missouri Optometric Association, the Greater Ozarks Optometric Society, and the Heart of America Contact Lens Society. Community involvement includes past work with Visually Impaired Children's Service, as a board member, United Way, as the optometric chair of the professional division, and Springfield Sunrise Rotary Club where he served as a board member as well as a member of the club.
In his spare time he enjoys weekends at the lake with his family and golf with friends.
Dr. Herndon's family includes his wife, Cindy, and two daughters, Dr. Mitzi Lewis and Kari Herndon. Mitzi followed in her father's footsteps to become an optometrist and is also with the Vision Clinic. Kari resides in Springfield and is a realtor with Fitzgerald First Realty.
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Dr. Stephen R. Rice
Dr. Steve Rice received his Bachelor of Science degree (with honors) from SIU-E in 1983 and his Doctor of Optometry degree (with honors) from the University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Optometry in 1987.
Steve is very involved in his chosen profession as he has previously served as the President of the Greater Ozarks Optometric Society, Trustee of the Missouri Optometric Association, and Chair of the Clinical/Educational Affairs Committee. He currently chairs the MOA Political Action Committee and he sits on the Board of the Missouri Optometric Foundation.
His community involvement includes: Springfield Catholic Schools Development Board (member 1996-2000); Junior League Community Advisory Board (member 2001-present); United Way (past Optometry Chair, Professional Division); Easter Seals (former Telethon VIP Chair); Cub Scout Den Leader and Assistant Scoutmaster; Youth Baseball and Basketball Coach; and Leadership Springfield Graduate-Class VIII. Steve holds membership in the American Optometric Association, Missouri Optometric Association, Greater Ozarks Optometric Society, Heart of America Contact Lens Society, and Volunteer Optometric Servises to Humanity (VOSH). VOSH is a volunteer group that travels to third world countries to deliver free eye care (exams, eyeglasses, and medicines). Dr. Rice has provided free eye care for patients in Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Bolivia, Honduras, and Panama.
His most proud accomplishment was being honored with Rotary International's 'Service Above Self' Award. This award is Rotary's most esteemed award as it is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts on a continuing basis. There are over one million Rotarians worldwide.
His family includes his wife, Karen; his son, Kevin; and his daughter, Stephanie. The family enjoys bike riding, snow skiing, sports, travel, and time spent together.
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Dr. Darren A. Plank
Dr. Darren Plank received his Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Missouri State University and his Doctor of Optometry degree (with honors) from the University of Missouri- St. Louis School of Optometry.
Dr. Plank has served as President of the Greater Ozarks Optometric Society and as a Board member of the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce. He has previously been honored as the Young Optometrist of the Year by the Missouri Optometric Association, and is a longstanding member of the American Optometric Association. Volunteer work includes time assisting the United Way and Lion's Club International, as well as supporting crippled children as a Shriner.
Dr. Plank is an avid, and excellent, fisherman as evidenced by his many tournament victories.
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Dr. Brad C. Lewis
Dr. Lewis is a 2002 graduate (with honors) of the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry. He is a member of the MOA, AOA, and AOA PAC. While attending Optometry School, Dr. Lewis received numerous accolades including the National AOA Student Leadership Award and the Missouri Optometric Foundation Leadership Award. He is married to Mitzi Lewis, also an optometrist, who is the daughter of Dr. Lynn Herndon. Mitzi and Brad have two kids named Gaige and Gannon who keep them quite busy while at home. In his free time, Dr. Lewis enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, scuba diving, and spending time with family and friends.
Community activities include: Leadership Springfield, Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Committee chairmain for the Education division of the Missouri Optometric Association, and Chairman of the Optometric Division of the United Way.
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Dr. Mitzi H. Lewis
Dr. Mitzi Lewis received her Bachelor of Science degree (with honors) from Southwest Missouri State University in 1998 and her doctor of optometry degree (with honors) from the University of Missouri - Saint Louis College of Optometry in 2002. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Missouri Optometric Association, AOA-Political Action Committee, and Greater Ozarks Optometric Society. She currently serves on the Missouri Optometric Association Clinical Education committee.
Mitzi is the wife of Dr. Brad Lewis and daughter of Dr. Lynn Herndon, both of which work with her at the Vision Clinic. Dr. Lewis spends most of her free time taking care of her two sons, Gaige and Gannon. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and Cardinals baseball.
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Dr. Emily S. Thomas
Dr. Thomas is a 2008 graduate (with honors) from the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. She also attended UMSL for her undergraduate studies, majoring in Biology. Currently, Dr. Thomas is a member of the American Optometric Association (specifically, the Contact Lens and Cornea Section), the Missouri Optometric Association, Greater Ozarks Optometric Society, and the Heart of America Contact Lens Society. She is also a provider for InfantSee, a national program which allows optometrists to give free eye examinations to babies less than one year old to detect and prevent future vision problems.
In 2007, Dr. Thomas had the opportunity to travel to northern Thailand where optometric volunteers provided over 26,000 Thai people with eye examinations and prescription glasses. She plans on participating in more of these humanitarian trips throughout the rest of her career.
Dr. Thomas enjoys living in Springfield, and likes to golf, spend time with family and friends, and travel (especially to a beach). Additionally, she is a member of the Springfield Rotaract service organization and is part of Leadership Springfield Class XXV.
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