Cassandra Dawson – Integrator
Cassandra AKA Cassy AKA Batman started working at Cary Family Eye Care in 2016 and has since become our amazing Office Manager. Prior to working at CFEC, she had experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She has 2 adorable sons and many fur babies. In her free time, you can usually find her hiking or baking delicious treats. She is a great listener, knows how to get things done, and always maintains a positive office atmosphere. If you ask us, she is pretty impressive.
Kristen McGarvey – Clinical Manager
Kristen started working for CFEC in 2019. She is now our Clinic Manager and coordinates our Myopia Control Clinic. She has a Bachelors degree in Health & Exercise Science from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and has received her certification as a Paraoptometric Technician. She loves fashion, reading, baking, and rock concerts. Kristen says the most inspiring part of her job is how much our doctors and staff genuinely care about our patients and each other- in and outside of the office!
Julie Neumann – Contact Lens Specialist
Julie joined our Team in December of 2020. She has been working in eyecare since 2014 and has a degree in Education and Medical Office Administration. Julie’s favorite part about her job is helping people learn how to wear contacts. She loves the excitement on her patient’s face when they finally get the contacts in and out on their own for the first time! Julie loves cooking, spending time with her kids, and getting outdoors.
Ciara Robertson – Clinic Administrator
Ciara joined our Front Desk Team in 2021 and has since joined our clinic team as a technician and Clinic Admin. She is kind, smart, funny, and always keeps a positive attitude in the office. She loves working with children and being able to help and communicate with our patients. She has a Bachelors degree in Science and Business Management from Fayetteville State University. She has a real talent for cooking a delicious breakfast and loves traveling and relaxing on the beach.
Jerome (JJ) Jones – Optometric Technician
JJ has been a member of our team since January of 2022. He has been in the healthcare field for many years. His positive attitude and honesty has made him a fan-favorite amongst our patients. He loves that he gets to help others continue to enjoy the beauty of the world with his direct actions at work. In his free time, he is a professional guitarist and cosplayer. He also loves spending time with friends and family, playing video games, and has recently gotten into fitness.
Caroline Coats – Optometric Technician & Dry Eye Clinic Coordinator
Caroline joined our clinic team in 2023. She is an excellent technician- always ready to give our patients the best care. Before joining Cary Family Eye Care, Caroline completed some culinary school. Her infectious laugh and cooking skills are only some of the qualities that we love about her. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Bryce Poole – Clinic Assistant
Bryce has made a significant impact since joining our team in 2024, excelling in her role managing our Myopia Control Clinic. Her dedication shines through in her work with children, where she finds immense joy in improving their vision and boosting their confidence. Bryce is an Appalachian State University grad with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science. She has ambitions to become an Optometrist herself one day. Outside of the clinic, Bryce finds creative outlets through her love for art and enjoys staying active with activities like running and rock climbing. Known for her culinary skills, she frequently treats us to delicious homemade creations. Bryce shares her home with her boyfriend, Sam, and their two cherished cats, Ramsey and Millie.
Kyella Puerto – Scribe
Kyella joined our team in 2024. She is one of our remote virtual scribes. Kyella currently lives in the Philippines and is a registered Pharmacist. She has a passion for art, particularly drawing. She finds joy in dancing, attending concerts, and indulging in anime and K-pop, with ENHYPEN being her favorite band. Kyella deeply values learning and connecting with patients, believing that even small improvements in vision can significantly enhance quality of life. Her commitment to understanding and improving vision care makes her a valuable asset at Cary Family Eye Care, where her diverse interests and caring approach positively impact both colleagues and patients.
Eden Irwin – Vision Therapy Coordinator
Eden joined our team in 2023. Originally from the Chicago area, she graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelors in Forensic Chemistry. She takes on any challenge with grace and has become a fantastic medical assistant. She is also now coordinating the Cary Vision Therapy clinic. She is multi-talented with many trades in music. She is a singer and can also play the piano, violin, and viola. Her favorite musicians are Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. She enjoys spending quality time with her boyfriend, Aldo, running, reading, and playing board games. When asked what she loves most about optometry she said that she loves “learning about how our eyes can actually affect many things in the body and brain.
Priscilla Rodriguez – Optical Manager
Priscilla became part of our team in 2021 and has since become a great addition to our Optical Team. She is sweet, silly, and has exquisite taste. When she’s not working, she enjoys riding across our beautiful state of NC on her Harley and snuggling up with her pups and a good movie. Her favorite part of her job is helping patients find their own custom, unique style. She also loves being able to see patients light up when they try on their first pair of glasses and realize how much better they can see.
Joseph Fucci – Optician
Joe moved to North Carolina from New Jersey and joined our team in 2021. He has worked in optical for 35 years. He loves being able to help patients achieve a better quality of life and helping make their day-to-day activities easier. He has made a great addition to our team with his handiness and innovation. He enjoys spending time outside hiking or gardening, tinkering with his truck, building computers, and playing with his cat, Pierre.
Margaret McNeil – Optician
Maggie has been an essential part of our team since 2018. She started at our front desk and now works on our optical team. Her patience and calming energy make her an absolute joy to work with! She has 3 children and is dedicated to her family. She has experience in medical billing and coding. She is a proud Virgo and a talented hairstylist. Whenever you come to the office, don’t be surprised if she is rocking another new hairstyle! Maggie also loves helping others, cooking, and relaxing on the beach.
Alyssa Colombi – Optician
Alyssa became a valued member of our Optical team in 2024, bringing a warm spirit and a passion for helping others discover new styles. She finds inspiration in encouraging clients to explore frames they might not consider, delighting in their excitement and confidence. Alyssa is driven by her son, whom she credits as her greatest motivation to continually strive towards her best self. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and immersing herself in the tranquility of nature during leisurely walks. Alyssa shares her home with her boyfriend, son, and two beloved cats, cherishing time spent with her loved ones.
Olivia Lewis – Operations Specialist
Olivia joined our team in Spring of 2023. Olivia is a joyful, familiar face when you walk into Cary Family Eye Care, she is one half of the dynamic duo that is our front desk operations. If there is ever a Harry Potter trivia night, you’ll want her on your team. She loves the Harry Potter series and The Vampire Diaries. When Olivia isn’t at work she enjoys going to concerts, riding roller coasters, and watching the latest movies. When asked what inspires you about your job, she says “Seeing how the ONS program can allow adults and kids to see without glasses or contact lenses.”
Sarah Genest – Operations Manager
Sarah joined our team in 2023 and makes up the other half of the dynamic duo that is our front desk operations. Her kind, welcoming, and warm smile is the first thing you see when you walk through the door. Sarah enjoys hiking, reading, and country music concerts. She loves spending quality time with her friends, family, and her sweet dog, Timmy. One day she hopes to own lots of land and animals. Traveling is definitely at the top of her ‘bucket list’. She wants to explore as much as possible!
Christian Hevia – Finance Team Lead
Christian Thaddeus Gemini Extraordinaire AKA Joker started working at CFEC in 2016. He has worked in the Optometry field for 10 years and has an Associates in Arts from Broward College in Florida. He is your go-to guy when it comes to billing and insurance. If you have a question, Chris will answer it ASAP! When he is not helping patients and coworkers, he most enjoys sleeping, music, writing novels, and talking to his daughter. When you think of CHRIS, think Charisma, Hilarity, Reliability, Intelligence, and Suspenders.
Arianne Dolotina – Operations Specialist
Arianne joined our team in 2023. She is our first remote virtual assistant. Arianne currently lives in the Philippines, but that doesn’t hold her back from being an integral part of our practice. Her sweet demeanor and can-do attitude make her the perfect person to help our patients. Arianne is a registered nurse and loves helping people. In her free time, Arianne loves spending time with family, hanging out in cafes and at beaches, and vlogging.
Juliet Manalastas – Operations Specialist
Juliet joined our team in 2024. She is a registered nurse and one of our remote virtual assistants. Juliet currently lives in the Philippines, but she knows all about our office! Juliet enjoys the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives and address their concerns that may be affecting their quality of life. She loves helping people and especially loves children. Juliet loves spending time with her family, playing with her son, and singing!
Veronica Guatno – Billing Specialist
Veronica joined our team in 2024 as our Billing Specialist, bringing a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of insurance processes to ensure smooth billing operations for our patients. Based in the Philippines, Veronica is a Registered Medical Technologist and Certified Healthcare Virtual Assistant. She is committed to providing accurate and efficient claims management, making her an integral part of our team. Outside of work, Veronica enjoys swimming, hiking, camping, and exploring new places, often recharging by connecting with nature. She’s a strong advocate for environmental and mental health causes and finds joy in spending time with her family and dogs. Known for her adventurous spirit and helpful demeanor, Veronica strives to continuously grow in her role and bring positivity to every interaction.
Maria Agtani- Scribe
Maria joined our team in 2024 as a remote virtual scribe, bringing a wealth of healthcare knowledge from her background as a registered pharmacist. Based in the Philippines, Maria is driven to support our patients’ journeys by ensuring precise and efficient documentation. Known for her attention to detail, she is a dedicated learner, even purchasing specialized resources like The Wills Eye Manual to deepen her understanding of patient needs and support our doctors. Outside of work, Maria enjoys Kpop and Christian music, coffee outings with her husband, time with her dog, Selfie, and Bible journaling. A strong advocate for healthcare access and environmental conservation, Maria embodies our team’s mission and values every day.
Michael Lamb – Operations Specialist
Michael joined our team as an Operations Specialist in 2024 and has quickly become known for his friendly demeanor and remarkable spreadsheet-making skills. Passionate about problem-solving, he finds fulfillment in helping the clinic run smoothly and addressing patient needs, especially for kids excited about improved vision.
Outside of work, Michael is an avid fan of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, video games, and drawing, with a special interest in jazz funk and progressive rock music. He has a cat named Misty and a dog named Alice whom he loves dearly. His goal is to be remembered as an empathetic person who makes a positive impact on others.
Victoria Okafor – Optician
Victoria joined our team as an Optician in 2024 and has already made a memorable impact with her outgoing personality and dependable nature. Passionate about helping patients find stylish eyewear that enhances their vision, she looks forward to becoming a licensed optician to guide patients even more confidently in their selections.
Outside of work, Victoria loves spending time at the beach, shopping, and relaxing with her husband, Richard. Known for her warm sense of humor, she aims to be remembered as someone who brings kindness and positivity to others’ lives.
Latasha Leal – Optometric Technician
Latasha joined our team in 2024 as an Optometric Technician, bringing with her a strong background in discipline and teamwork from her time as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. A dedicated mother to her two daughters, Alayna and Adrianna, Latasha draws inspiration from her family and strives to be a supportive presence in every role.
She loves helping patients feel understood and appreciated, finding fulfillment in making a positive impact on their lives. In her downtime, Latasha enjoys decorating her home, reading romantic comedies, and relaxing by the ocean whenever she gets the chance.
Finnick “ChiChi” the Chihuahua – “Head of HR/Client Services & Emotional Support Pup”
Introducing Finnick, affectionately known as ChiChi! At just three years old, this charming chihuahua has already stolen the hearts of everyone at the office. ChiChi was adopted from Wake County Animal Shelter in Raleigh and has since become an integral part of our team, bringing joy and comfort to all who cross his path.
ChiChi’s favorite pastime is getting scratched, and he’s always ready to offer a wagging tail and a warm snuggle. Whether you’re having a stressful day or just need a quick break, ChiChi is here to provide some much-needed support and a sprinkle of happiness.
When he’s not at the office, ChiChi enjoys the bustling life at home with his 20 animal brothers and sisters. With his playful spirit and affectionate nature, ChiChi ensures our office is always filled with smiles and laughter. Stop by and say hello to our adorable, unofficial office support animal – he’s sure to brighten your day!