Anthony Van Alstine OD, MS, FAAO
Residency Supervisor
Dr. Van Alstine serves as the optometry residency supervisor at the WJB Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry as the valedictorian of the class of 2011 and completed an optometric residency at Dorn after graduation. He achieved a Master’s Degree in vision science from Indiana University in 2012 with his research focusing on the quantification of retinal ganglion cell function using the multifocal electroretinogram. He has published in several peer reviewed journals and his research has been presented at national and international meetings. Dr. Van Alstine has a passion for clinical education and holds adjunct faculty status at multiple schools of optometry. He also enjoys lecturing on a wide variety of optometry topics and mentoring residents to present clinical posters at national meetings. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and previously served as the president of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry. He is also a fellow of the Optometric Retina Society, Optometric Glaucoma Society, and the Scleral Lens Education Society. Outside of clinic he keeps busy raising four sons with his lovely wife. He enjoys many different activities in the great outdoors and serves as a deacon in his local church.
Richard Gardner, OD, FAAO
Optometry Section Supervisor
Dr. Gardner attended Oregon State University and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He has worked with the Veterans Administration since the completion of his residency training at the Dorn VA Medical Center.
Dr. Gardner holds adjunct faculty status with multiple programs. He has previously served as the student and resident program supervisor. Dr. Gardner is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, has served as an NBEO examiner and has completed the NBEO's Advanced Competency in Medical Optometry exam. He has had publications accepted in three peer reviewed ophthalmic journals and has presented multiple clinical case posters in conjunction with students and residents.
JulieAnne M. Roper, OD, MS
Chief, Low Vision/Contact Lens Specialty Clinic
Dr. Roper serves as the Director of the Low Vision and Specialty Contact Lens clinics at WJB Dorn VAMC. She graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry with both Doctor of Optometry and Masters in Vision Science degrees. She loves to utilize cutting edge and innovative solutions for her low vision patients and she enjoys taking on difficult specialty contact lens fits for patients with complex ocular pathology. She truly finds joy in improving the lives of the veterans she serves and educating the students and residents she works with on a daily basis.
Dr. Roper is adjunct faculty at multiple optometry schools, has published in peer reviewed journals, and has a passion for presenting scientific cases at national meetings.
Michelle E. Brown, OD
Externship Co-Supervisor
Dr. Michelle Brown, an Ohio native, graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in both biology and chemistry. Before pursuing her optometric career, she completed various research projects focusing on the physiology of the corneal endothelium.
Throughout optometry school at Indiana University, Dr. Brown received many awards including the VSP/AOF Practice Excellence Scholarship, William Feinbloom Low Vision Award, Dr. James D. Hurt Scholarship, Dr. J.O. Hormuth Award, J. Pat Cummings Scholarship, and the Stanley Pearl Scholarship highlighting her excellence in disease management, low vision, and service to the underprivileged.
Dr. Brown furthered her career by completing a residency program at the William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center where she specialized in disease management, specialty contact lenses, low vision, and binocular vision. Dr. Brown has presented multiple posters at the annual American Academy of Optometry meeting. In addition to being a member of the AAO and secretary of the state chapter, Dr. Brown is also a member of the AOA and local SCOPA chapter.
Dr. Brown and her husband Adam live in Columbia, South Carolina where she continues to serve veterans at the WJB Dorn VA hospital and is the co-supervisor of the student externship program.
Sarah R. Wilson, OD
Externship Co-Supervisor
Dr. Wilson is a Florida native and received degrees in English Literature and Vision Science from The Florida State University. Following graduation, she was accepted to Florida State’s PhD program for Literature but declined to pursue optometry.
At Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Wilson earned her Doctor of Optometry degree with honors distinction in advanced clinical competency. After completion of residency at Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Hospital, Dr. Wilson was brought on as a full-time staff physician and student externship co-supervisor.
Dr. Wilson’s experience is varied- in addition to the Veteran’s hospital, she practices several days per month at a refractive surgery center and a local private practice. She is an active member of the regional optometric society and has published at several leading optometric conferences such as AAO and SECO.
Notably, Dr. Wilson is one of four optometrists in her family.
Patricia Kranz, OD
Staff Optometrist
Dr. Kranz, a Florida native, graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Medical Humanities. She received her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry and then completed her residency at the Dorn VA Medical Center specializing in Primary Eye Care, Ocular Disease, Low Vision, and Specialty Contact Lenses.
Dr. Kranz serves as one of the full-time staff optometrists at the Dorn VAMC. She very much enjoys working with both the students and residents in clinic. She leads the weekly Grand Rounds conference, where she has lectured on a variety of topics. She has authored/co-authored posters for the annual American Academy of Optometry meeting and is working towards becoming a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Kranz is also a member of the AOA and the South Carolina Optometry Association.
As a former Gamecock athlete, Dr. Kranz is an avid sports fan. When not serving the veterans, you will find her cheering on the gamecocks with her dog Founder (named after Founder’s Park where the Gamecocks play baseball!)