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ABOUT THE TEAM

THE BEST EYE DOCTORS IN OMAHA!

We’ve been located in West Omaha for almost 40 years and are proudly serving generations of satisfied families. We have a team of experienced and personable eye doctors and staff to assist you with all of your eye care needs. When you come to Eye Care West, P.C., you can always find a familiar face.

Our goal is to form a lifelong relationship between our staff and our patients and we do that by combining our experience with the latest technology. We know you have many choices when it comes to eye care in Omaha, we are grateful you’ve chosen to be part of the Eye Care West family.

OFFICIAL EYE CARE PROFESSIONALS

We are proud to be the official eye care professionals for Creighton University Athletics and the College World Series held every year in Omaha!

OUR MISSION

Our Mission at EyeCare West is simple. Our eye doctors are committed to providing comprehensive, personalized eye care of the highest quality to you, your family, and our community. We believe preventative care is key to an enhanced quality of life and we thoroughly explain your ocular health status and vision needs with that in mind.

Our entire staff is dedicated to providing this care in an atmosphere that helps you to feel like family, not just a patient. We look forward to partnering with you for excellent eye health!

MEET OUR EYE DOCTORS AND STAFF

Dr. Katie Schmidt at EyeCare West

DR. SCHMIDT

Dr. Schmidt grew up in Lincoln, NE, and graduated with honors in her hometown at UNL with an undergraduate degree in biology. She went on to the New England College of Optometry to earn her Doctorate of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts, and stayed in the area for a residency in Ocular Disease and Primary Eye Care at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Dr. Schmidt and her husband then moved to Denver, Colorado where she practiced at a family and pediatric clinic for three years before moving back to Nebraska to be closer to family in 2020.
Dr. Schmidt is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and strives to uphold the highest standards of care. Additionally, she is a member of the American and Nebraska Optometric Associations. She is a graduate of the NOA Leadership Institute and is currently serving on the NOA Board. Dr. Schmidt loves exploring new places, spending time with her friends and family, and soaking up time with her 2-year-old daughter and baby boy.

DR. RICHERT

Dr. Tammy Richert grew up on a farm near Gresham, Nebraska. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, earning a degree in biology. She then earned her doctorate from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a member of the Nebraska Optometric Association.
 
Upon graduation, she returned to Nebraska where she married her husband Kelly, who was serving in the US Air Force. Dr. Richert has practiced optometry in Hawaii, Missouri, Illinois, Georgia, and Belgium. When her husband retired from active duty they moved the family back to Omaha. Dr. Richert and her husband have been married 25 years and have two boys. In her spare time, Dr. Richert enjoys watching her kids’ ball games, listening to music, and watching cooking shows. She is an avid Husker fan and Royals fan.
Dr. Heidi J. Lichtenberg of Eye Care West in Omaha NE

DR. LICHTENBERG

Dr. Lichtenberg grew up in Norfolk, NE and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in biology. While she was at UNO, she also worked at our practice as optical manager. She went on to earn her doctorate from the Indiana University School of Optometry, graduating with Highest Honors, and has since been practicing at Eye Care West.
 
She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Nebraska Optometric Association. She was selected for the Young Optometrist of the Year award by the Nebraska Optometric Association in 2016 and is currently serving on the NOA-PAC Board. She is on the Creighton Medical Staff for Creighton Bluejay Athletics and The College World Series and is also a Clinical Instructor at the Creighton University School of Medicine.
 
Most of all, Dr. Lichtenberg enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 kids; whether it be traveling, spending time outdoors, or going to a Nebraska football game, Creighton athletic event, or KC Royals baseball game!

Dr. GRADOWSKI

Dr. Gradowski has been in practice for over 40 years in Omaha. Born and raised in the metro, Dr. Gradowski attended Creighton Prep High School & Creighton University, before moving to Memphis, TN to complete his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in 1979. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and has been a member of Creighton’s Athletic Medicine Staff and Clinical Instructor at Creighton University School of Medicine for nearly 30 years, as well as clinical staff at CUMC – Bergan Mercy Hospital.
 
A Past President of the Nebraska Optometric Association & Heart of America Contact Lens Society, Dr. Gradowski continues to be involved in the latest treatments and procedures in eye care, including serving on advisory panels & conducting clinical trials on innovative, cutting edge technology. He enjoys family, friends, and spending time on the golf course whenever possible!

Lisa W.

Optometric Assistant

Lisa has been a member of our team since April 1991.

Bridget N.

Insurance Coder

Bridget has been a member of our team since September 1990.

Avril Blume

Avril B.

Optometric Technician

Avril has been a member of our team since June 2021.

Cassi Matthews at Eye Care West in Omaha NE

Cassi M.

Practice Manager

Cassi has been a member of our team since June 2009.

TAYLOR S.

Optometric Technician

Taylor has been a member of our team since June 2021.

VICKI M.

Optometric Technician

Vicki has been a member of our team since April 2020.

CRYSTAL H.

Optician

Crystal has been a member of our team since November 2018.

KATHRYN C.

Receptionist

Kathryn has been a member of our team since June 2020.

CANDI P.

Receptionist

Candi has been a member of our team since August 2021.

SUSIE E.

Optician

Susie has been a member of our team since February 2022.

Kelsey P.

Optometric Technician

Kelsey has been a member of our team since February 2022.

Serena F.

Optometric Technician

Serena has been a member of our team since September 2022.

Kylie K.

Optometric Technician

eyecare west submark

Carmen

Optometric Technician

“Dr. Heidi and the entire staff are top notch! So patient with questions and taking the time to thoroughly explain procedures and tests. Not to mention the patience involved when trying on a gazillion kinds of glasses to find the perfect pair. Thank you to everyone there for making it an enjoyable visit from start to finish!”

Kathleen K.

Gretna, NE

“Glad I decided on seeing Dr. Gradowski for my exam andglasses, EVERYONE was so nice, friendly and professional! Dr. Gradowski is awesome, so professional, knowledgeable and so easy to communicate with! I’ll recommended him to all my family and friends.”

Mary D.

Gretna, NE