New optometrist settles in at MMH

Holyoke Family Eye Care Center at Melissa Memorial Hospital recently welcomed Alexandra Gada, O.D., to its staff. The full-time optometrist began seeing patients around Labor Day.

Fitting patients with correct eye glasses and contact lenses is part of her day-to-day job, and she even has a fitting set for gas permeable and hard contacts so patients make sure they have the right fit before placing an order.

Gada has a passion and special training for vision therapy, which looks at how the eyes are connecting to the brain. For instance, she could evaluate how vision processing is affecting school performance for a student, or she could take a closer look at how a concussion or other head trauma has impacted a patient’s sight.

Gada is also ready to see patients regarding glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes.

This self-proclaimed lifelong learner always had a plan to go back to school after her kids had grown. Gada completed undergraduate work in clinic research at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Earlier this year, she graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

And she’s not done yet. She will be pursuing a fellowship in the Academy of Optometry in addition to attending conferences that further her knowledge of optometry.

Gada admits that she’s always been fascinated with eyeballs. She also loves seeing the happiness in patients when they try on new glasses or contacts and they can finally see clearly.

Gada grew up in a small town in Ukraine and came to the U.S. in 1989. She lived in Chicago for 20 years and St. Louis for 10.

Her husband, Paul, works in project management and is with two of their three young adult children at the family’s home base in St. Louis.

Gada is excited to explore Colorado. She’s also quite good at major construction projects, and her newest hobby is quilting.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 970-854-2260.