OPTOMETRIST

DR. JIM ASUCHAK

Jim was born and raised in Fort Macleod where his parents still operate a small farm. He later attended the University of Lethbridge and then onto the University of Waterloo to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree. Jim returned to Lethbridge in 1999 and has been pleased with his decision ever since. He has enjoyed the friendships he has made with patients in the office and considers the staff at Optical Studio family. In his spare time, Jim enjoys hanging out with his son Tyler. He can also be found in his garage working on his old cars or mountain biking in the coulees.

OPTOMETRIST

DR. GEORGE DAY

George grew up on a small farm west of Fort Macleod. He enjoyed playing multiple sports for FP Walshe High School. George attended the University of Lethbridge, earning a B.Sc. in Biochemistry. He then went on to attend the Doctor of Optometry program at the University of Waterloo. In 2008, he moved back to Lethbridge and joined the team at Optical Studio and is very happy with his decision. He loves coming to work in such a friendly and up-to-date office, and really appreciates having a great mentor in Dr. Jim Asuchak. When not at work, George enjoys training for sprint triathlons with his wife Jen, and snowboarding in the mountains.

OPTOMETRIST

DR. MELISSA GROENEWEG

Melissa was born and raised in Fort Macleod, Alberta. She grew up on her parents’ farm just north of Fort Macleod and enjoyed being very involved in local and regional 4-H programs throughout her school years. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Lethbridge, and later went on to continue her education at Western University of Health Sciences in Southern California where she earned her Doctor of Optometry. Dr. Groeneweg completed four outstanding externships in her 4th year as an optometry student. She was able to experience a vision therapy practice at Focus Vision Therapy in Meridian, Idaho, was exposed to a wide range of ocular disease and surgeries at The Eye Institute of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, experienced a highly medically-based private practice at the Cheyenne Vision Clinic in Cheyenne, Wyoming and at Image Optometry in Vancouver, BC. When she is not in the office, Dr. Groeneweg enjoys spending time on the farm, volunteering with local organizations, and enjoying the outdoors.

OPTOMETRIST

DR. ASHLEY OLFORD

Ashley was born and raised in Mount Pearl, NL where she completed her undergraduate degree in Behavioural Neuroscience at Memorial University. She later went on to attend graduate school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS where she received a diploma in Clinical Vision Science. Ashley then worked as an Orthoptist, providing testing and management of eye movement disorders, at pediatric and adult ophthalmology clinics in Winnipeg, Toronto, and Vancouver. She later received her Doctor of Optometry degree with honours from the University of Waterloo. During her training she did externships in Canada, the US, and Hong Kong, as well as a volunteer eye care mission in Ecuador. When she is not in the office, Ashley can be found travelling, staying active, or volunteering at a local or international organization.

OPTOMETRIST

DR. STEVEN HA

He/Him

Steven was born and raised in Ottawa where he completed his Bachelor of Science with honours in Ophthalmic Medical Technology in 2014. He was involved with the University of Ottawa Eye Institute and later worked as a Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist for 2 years in the laser and refractive surgery field. Steven received his Doctor of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. Throughout optometry school, he developed special interests in dry eye, specialty contact lenses, and myopia control. He had the opportunity to be involved with a mission trip to Camana, Peru and hopes to continue humanitarian endeavors throughout his career. Dr. Ha was introduced to Western Canada by his wife (Dr. Unick!) who grew up between Regina and Calgary. Steven and his wife now call Lethbridge home with the introduction of their new little one! Steven is a board member of Economic Development Lethbridge representing the Health and Wellness sector.

OPTOMETRIST

DR. ANYSIA UNICK

She/Her

Anysia was raised between Regina and Calgary. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology, Microbiology, and Cellular Biology while attending the University of Georgia on an athletic gymnastics scholarship. She returned to Canada to attend the University of Waterloo and earned her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2020. We are proud to say Anysia graduated with the highest academic standing in her class, receiving the College of Optometrists of Ontario General Proficiency Award. Anysia has developed a passion for children’s vision and holds a special interest in pediatric eye exams and myopia management. She is a guest lecturer with Dr. Ha at Lethbridge College and presents “Pediatric Eye Health” to the second year nursing students twice a year. Anysia and her husband (Dr. Steven Ha) have chosen Lethbridge as their home to serve the needs of Southern Alberta. They enjoy the outdoors and look forward to exploring the mountains.

OPTOMETRIST

DR. SHAE MORRISON

Shae is originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta, where she started working in an optometry office at a young age.  It was there that she sparked the interest, and the drive, to become an Optometrist herself. 

She went on to complete her undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta, followed by her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo, where she earned honors throughout.  Upon graduation, she received awards for excellence in clinical care, as well as contact lens care.  She practiced for six years in Airdrie, Alberta, and then moved to Lethbridge, to be closer to family.  Shae has a special interest in pediatric vision, dry eye, and enjoys providing continuing care to patients of all ages. 

Shae is thrilled to join the Optical Studio team, and looks forward to building lasting connections with the people of Lethbridge.  She loves helping people find solutions for their concerns, and genuinely looks forward to meeting you.  Away from the office, you can find her at the park with her husband and two young daughters, cooking up a new recipe, or curled up with a good book. 

CORPORATE SERVICES

SHARI

She/Her

Shari joined the team at Optical Studio after many years of providing Practice Management and Human Resources in the dental/medical industry. Her favorite activities during her off time include being with family, traveling, renovating her home, working in the yard, boating at the lake, and engaging in anything that involves being around good food and good company. Shari is an active member of the Board of Directors with the Rotary Club of Lethbridge. She has also participated in humanitarian initiatives in the Dominican Republic and contributed to post-Hurricane Harvey cleanup in Houston, Texas. Shari has dedicated her time to various local community volunteer opportunities. 

CONTACT LENS MANAGER

MIRANDA

Miranda grew up in Cardston, Alberta, and enjoyed her summer after high school working as a server in Waterton. Even though she probably spilt more drinks than she served, she loved it! Miranda has been working at Optical Studio since she was 19 years old (so for 6 years)! Her favorite aspect of Optical Studio is the amazing team she works with. Miranda’s goal is to ensure that everyone else at Optical Studio loves coming to work as much as she does. When she is not at work, Miranda can usually be found at the gym or at home with her Frenchton, Boone.  

OPTICAL MANAGER

VICTORIA

She/Her

Victoria recently completed her Certified Optometric Assistant program. When she is not at work, it is highly likely to find her spending time with her family. More often than not, they can be found away at a hotel, exploring different cities over the weekend. Victoria lives by the following words: “Dream big, work hard, stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.” 

MANAGING OPTICIAN & LICENSED OPTICIAN

TAMMI

She/Her

Tammi has been a licensed optician since 2002. She thoroughly enjoys working at Optical Studio, primarily due to the incredible team she gets to surround herself with on a daily basis. Tammi possesses a genuine passion for eyewear and helping patients look and see their best. During her spare time, she can often be found in the company of her husband, two daughters, and their two crazy dogs. 

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN

BRYANNE

She/Her

Bryanne has been with Optical Studio since September of 2020, with a minor break, to have her fourth child. She loves to bring some joy to the people she meets and surrounds herself with, and usually in the form of food. Bryanne is excited to be expanding her knowledge in the optical field this coming year, by enrolling in the CCOA course. In her spare time, she is farming with her family at their growing homestead.

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN

MIKAYLA

She/Her

Mikayla grew up primarily in Edmonton and has since bounced between the major cities in Alberta. Prior to joining Optical Studio, she worked in the coffee industry for several years while pursuing her studies in psychology. Mikayla has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the incredible team at Optical Studio, as well as building relationships with their exceptional patients. The best piece of advice she’s received is “the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.” and she looks forward to learning more at Optical Studio. In her spare time, Mikayla alters/mends/sells and collects vintage clothing. She is also staunch horror movie enthusiast. 

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN & CCOA

CHASE

He/Him

Chase grew up in Strathmore and relocated to Lethbridge for school. He eventually decided to make Lethbridge his permanent home after purchasing a house. Chase joined Optical Studio in February 2022. His passion for collecting sneakers is evident as he proudly showcases them while working in the gallery. With his keen sense of fashion, Chase aspires to assist everyone in finding the ideal pair of glasses that perfectly complements their style. 

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN & CCOA

ANITA

She/Her

Anita started working at Optical Studio in March 2022 where it instantly became a passion of hers. Her goal is to learn something new every year and she decided to learn how to roller skate! Among her other hobbies, Anita enjoys taking polaroid photographs, going to the gym, and doing anything with her cats! 

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN & CCOA

BRITTANY

She/Her

Brittany was drawn to Optical Studio after being a patient for a few years because she always felt very welcomed and informed while here. Her goal is to make every patient she helps feel the same way. During her free time, Brittany finds enjoyment in engaging in home and yard projects, as well as riding her horses. Photography is another passion of hers. Currently, Brittany is actively pursuing a bucket list item: learning how to golf, so she can plan fun holidays with her husband! 

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN

SHERRY

She/Her

Sherry is a DEN certified Optical Dispensing Technician with 14 years of experience. Born and raised in Fernie, BC, she has always embraced outdoor activities as a part of her lifestyle. Sherry finds joy in spending her spare time with her wonderful husband, two children, and five grandchildren. The passion exhibited by the entire team for providing great patient care is what Sherry loves about working at Optical Studio. She really likes to connect with patients and work with them to find the best possibvle eyewear solution. 

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN

KIM

She/Her

Kim was born in Edmonton and later spent several years in Red Deer, where she raised her two daughters and accumulated over 15 years of experience in the optical field. Currently residing in Lethbridge, Kim finds great pleasure in her work at Optical Studio, where she loves working with the amazing team in both the lab and the beautiful gallery. During her free time, she delights in exploring southern Alberta and the mountains. 

OPTICIAN

LEANNE

She/Her

Leanne has been a licensed optician for nine years. She finds great enjoyment in working at Optical Studio, where the team’s warmth, welcoming nature, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer service are highly valued. Outside of work, Leanne is usually walking, hiking, baking, and doing crafts. Her goal is to learn something new every day (big or small). The most unusual place she has been was doing circles in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean while she worked on a cruise ship. Leanne finds inspiration in a quote by Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” 

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN

SHELBY

She/Her

Shelby grew up with a love for glasses even though she never needed them! Her goal is to become a licensed optician and continue to help patients love their eyewear! When she is not in the office you can find her reading a good thriller or crocheting snuggled up with her pitbull, Salem.

LAB TECHNICIAN

LEDEAN

Ledean began working at Optical Studio after meeting Dr. Asuchak while mountain biking. Her favorite thing about working here is the atmosphere. Ledean finds the people there to be amazing. Her personal goal is to discover something positive in each day she experiences. Ledean’s most unusual visit took place at the staff cafeteria in the Johnson Space Center located in Houston, Texas. She had the opportunity to take a tour with scientists and astronauts, and she felt like she had absorbed some IQ points from the air. 

PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR

MACLAYNE

She/Her

Maclayne, a recent university graduate with a degree in Neuroscience, possesses a profound passion for acquiring new skills and knowledge. This enthusiasm for learning is precisely why she finds great fulfillment in her work at Optical Studio. Residing in Lethbridge, Maclayne shares her home with her twin sister. If she could eat one thing for the rest of her life, it would be grilled cheese sandwiches – nothing compares. 

PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR

CALEIGH

She/Her

Caleigh started working at Optical Studio in October 2022 and has loved learning about the optical industry in a friendly environment. Something about Caleigh that not a lot of people know about her is that the majority of her childhood she lived in Bolivia, South America, and learnt Spanish as a second language. If you don’t see her at the front desk, Caleigh is either nannying or camping and ATV riding with her family. 

PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR

KAELA

She/Her

Kaela grew up in Regina and moved to Lethbridge to study Studio Art at the University of Lethbridge. She started at Optical Studio in February 2023 as she loves learning new things and working with people in the community. When she’s not in the office, Kaela can be found axe throwing or snuggling with her cat. 

OPTOMETRIC SCRIBE & CCOA

KENNADI

She/Her

Kennadi has been working at Optical Studio since February 2018 and loves the atmosphere. Holding her Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant certification, her goal is to use it to move up in the office and do more on top of assisting Dr. Day. Originally from Taber, Alberta, Kennadi’s roots are deeply embedded in her hometown. When she’s not at work, she loves to spend time with her friends, family, fiancé Brant and her dog, Groot! 

OPTOMETRIC SCRIBE & CCOA

KENNEDY

She/Her

Kennedy has worked at Optical Studio since September 2020, and her commitment to growth is evident through her completion of the Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant program in May 2022. As an Optometric Scribe working alongside Dr. Asuchak, Kennedy effectively applies her knowledge gained from her Kinesiology degree while continually expanding her knowledge. In addition to her role as an Optometric Scribe, she also serves as a Content and Brand specialist in marketing, allowing her to unleash her creativity in new and exciting ways. Kennedy’s passion for travel has taken her to remarkable destinations such as South Africa, Japan, and France. During her free time, she finds joy in playing games, spending quality time with her beloved cats, and engaging in the art of crocheting. 

DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIAN & CCOA

DES

They/Them

Des has a university background in neuroscience and loves to learn. They have set a personal goal to continuously acquire new knowledge in all aspects of their life. A lesser-known fact about Des is a closely guarded secret because if they told you then a lot of people would know. 

DIAGNOSTIC/DRY EYE TECHNICIAN & CCOA

DALLAS

She/Her

Dallas successfully completed her Medical Office Assistant program in 2018. She wasn’t sure what type of medical office she wanted to work in, but she knew it wasn’t a general clinic or hospital. She explored different avenues and gained valuable experience in the food and beverage service industry. During this time, she also prioritized her love for travel, embracing every opportunity to explore new destinations. Dallas joined the team at Optical Studio, venturing into the optical industry where she loves getting the chance to learn something new each day. Dallas’s goal is to continue to improve her knowledge and understanding of all of the advanced technology while connecting with patients and fellow team members. During her free time, she enjoys staying active, playing board games with friends, and going on road trips. One noteworthy item on Dallas’s bucket list is to embark on an unforgettable African safari adventure. 

DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIAN

BROOKLYN

She/Her

DRY EYE TECHNICIAN

TEYAH

She/Her

Teyah grew up in Raymond, Alberta where she spent her childhood playing every sport. Continuing her passion for both academics and athletics, she pursued Kinesiology studies and played rugby at the University of Alberta. Unfortunately, a few too many knee injuries required her to take a break from sports. Teyah returned home and worked alongside her uncle at his new business, True North Axe Throwing, which helped her figure out what she wanted to do. She discovered the Medical Esthetician program and fell in love with it. In February 2022, Teyah relocated to Calgary to complete the program and subsequently worked in the skincare industry until joining the Optical Studio team. Though relatively new to optometry, she is incredibly excited about continuously expanding her knowledge to provide exceptional services. During her leisure time, Teyah enjoys working out, baking, spoiling her dog Reggie, or being around her family! 

DRY EYE TECHNICIAN

SAM

She/Her

After growing up in Pincher Creek, Sam moved to Lethbridge in 2010 to pursue a career in the hair industry. Thirteen years later and she still loves doing hair. Over the years, Sam’s interest in what the beauty industry has to offer has grown and she’s fallen in love with clinical skin work. While she may be new to optical work, she is very excited to learn and grow. When Sam’s not behind the chair or treatment table you can usually find her keeping busy around home on her acreage east of the city, and spending time with family. 

THIS COULD BE YOU

Join The Team

Looking to join the Optical Studio team, start your journey here.

OPTICAL DISPENSING TECHNICIAN

KELLY

She/Her

Kelly moved to Canada from the UK in 2013. This is when she started working in Optical. Kelly started off working Reception and Pretesting patients. After several year’s she then started to learn optical dispensing which she has now been doing for about 6 Years.  When Kelly is not working, she likes to enjoy the outdoors with her pooches and spending time with her family.