FYidoctors - Nanaimo - Waddington

Dr. Johnathan Lam, a life-long resident of Nanaimo, has been with our office since September of 2001. He attended Dufferin Crescent Elementary and Woodlands Senior Secondary before studying Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. While obtaining his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Lam completed an Ocular Disease Internship at Omni Eye Services in Denver, Colorado. After seven years of university training, Dr. Lam decided to begin his optometric career in 100 Mile House and Williams Lake, B.C. These more rural practices gave him the opportunity to gain greater experience diagnosing, treating, and managing ocular diseases, often working closely with family physicians and ophthalmologists. In addition, Dr. Lam is also particularly skilled at fitting specialty contact lenses which include: bifocals, 30 day continuous wear soft contacts, rigid gas permeable contacts for keratoconus and corneal grafts, and orthokeratology. Dr. Lam also has a keen interest in volunteer eyecare missions, having participated in six trips to various parts of Mexico and Nicaragua. Outside of the office, Dr. Lam enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids cycling, swimming, surfing and skiing.

Dr. Yunie Kim was born in Seoul, Korea and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia at a young age. She received her undergraduate degree in biology and psychology from Western University before heading to optometry school at Pacific University in Oregon. During her optometry studies, Dr. Kim completed internships in the areas of refractive surgery co-management, vision therapy, and ocular disease. She even learned to provide comprehensive eye exams in Spanish. Prior to joining the team, she practiced in the Cowichan Valley. Outside of work, Dr. Kim enjoys volunteering to help stray cats get adopted into loving homes or enjoy quiet evenings of reading or playing video games.

Dr. Joshua Fleegel was born and raised in Minnesota and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Creighton University in 2020 and his Doctor of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2024. During Dr. Fleegel’s 4th year practicum he practiced in a variety of different settings, including postoperative care in Denver, Colorado, ocular disease in Salt Lake City, Utah and dry eye management in Bandon, Oregon. He has also provided care to underserved communities in Guatemala and Ecuador with AMIGOS Eye Care. He is passionate about providing full scope optometric care and has special interests in dry eye and ocular disease management. Before joining FYidoctors, Dr. Fleegel began his career at Arlington Vision Center in Arlington, Washington before moving to beautiful British Columbia with his Canadian partner. In his free time, Dr. Fleegel enjoys traveling, golfing, and enjoying all the outdoor activities Vancouver Island has to offer.

Originally from New Jersey, Joelle completed her BSc in biochemistry at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2008. After completing clinical rotations in various hospitals and clinics in North Carolina, she received her Doctorate of Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Salus University with a concentration in Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy in May of 2012. Less than a month later she and Michael married, moved to Nanaimo, and joined Vision Arts Eye Care Centre. Joelle is currently an active member of the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra (violin), Young Professionals of Nanaimo, and the Nanaimo Lions Club. She enjoys the beauty around her new home by kayaking, running, biking and hiking various areas of the island.

Dr. Sheila Pratt joins us from the prairies, originally being from Alberta. She obtained her undergraduate education from the University of Alberta, with an honours degree in molecular genetics, prior to attending the University of Waterloo for her optometry education. Dr. Pratt was fortunate to complete an internship in ocular disease management through Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. She then practiced in rural Saskatchewan for three years, and is very excited to have now relocated to Vancouver Island. Dr. Pratt is passionate about providing comprehensive optometry services, with a focus on eye disease and management of eye emergencies. She is skilled in the removal of corneal foreign bodies (for example, metal shards or plant clippings after yard work), and offers skillful triage and management of sudden vision changes. Do not hesitate to contact our offices for an urgent assessment, should you be experiencing an ocular emergency! When not seeing patients, Dr. Pratt enjoys keeping active. She is regularly found swimming or out kayaking, and enjoys exploring all the natural wonders and activities that Vancouver Island has to offer. Never one to turn down an adventure, Dr. Pratt has backpacked through Europe, Africa, and South America, and looks forward to her future trave(more...)

Dr. Kellam has been with Vision Arts since January 1988. He graduated with honours from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 1986 and worked in Creston and Osoyoos prior to moving to Nanaimo. He completed his internship in pediatrics and vision therapy at the State University of New York, and the therapeutics program through Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. He was granted the honour of being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 1994. Dr. Kellam has been active in the B.C. Optometric Association, working as a councillor, ethics chair, chair of the vision therapy committee, AGM chair, PR chair, past treasurer, and chair of the continuing education committee which successfully put together the first 100 hour TPA course for Canadian optometrists. When asked which areas of practice appeal to him the most, Dr. Kellam shrugs and replies, "All areas are interesting! But I particularly enjoy working with children, especially those with reading and learning problems. Many children with problems in school have an undiagnosed vision problem. The right glasses or eye exercises can often make a big difference." Dr. Kellam is married and has two sons. He says he enjoys mountain biking, skiing and having fun with his family.

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