Dr. Shad L. Wheatley, OD
I attended public school in Fayetteville, NC, graduating from Pine Forest Senior High as valedictorian. Shortly thereafter, I served for two years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. Everything that I had been raised to believe in and do, such as loving and serving others, became an integral part of who I am. Some of my experiences there influenced my decision to become an Optometrist as I recognized that as an Optometrist I could serve others, provide for my family, and still have time to be with my family and serve in my Church. I returned home and soon finished my studies at Brigham Young University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in Zoology. Immediately after graduation I began Optometry School at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. While there I became the President of Students in Optometric Service to Humanity, and I helped organize and lead various mission trips to Central America to provide eye exams and glasses to those in need. My final year of training included a six month externship at Duke University Eye Center, where I worked alongside the very best ophthalmologists in the nation and was trained as the Duke ophthalmology residents were trained. At graduation I was awarded the Deans Award of Excellence for the class of 2002 and graduated Cum Laude.
My wife, Ollie, and I felt that we found the perfect little place in the mountains to raise our family when we moved to Carroll County, and our love for this area and the people here has just grown stronger and stronger over the years. We now have six children who have been described as "free range children" as they love to be outdoors and enjoy all this beautiful countryside has to offer. My wife and I enjoy serving in the Church as part of its completely lay ministry, and find great satisfaction in serving others in this capacity. We enjoy sports and the outdoors. We hope to be able to start mission trips within the next several years to Central and South America similar to what we participated in while in school.
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Dr. Warren A. Gwynn, OD, MS
After a series of moves in my childhood that included several regions of the Unites States and abroad to England, I was fortunate enough to land in Huntersville, NC. This is where I spent my high school years, met my future wife and where I claim my hometown.
Before completing my undergraduate education at Brigham Young University, I volunteered as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where I learned Cambodian to serve the Cambodian people in Long Beach, CA.
I have always wanted to be in a position where I could improve the lives of others; this, and a series of eye related injuries in my family, led me to optometry. I completed my education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where I was accepted into the combined Doctor of Optometry (OD) and Master of Vision Science (MS) program. During my training I have developed strong interests in color vision perception, managing ocular diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and glaucoma, and pediatric optometry.
My wife, Erin, and I are very excited to be back in this region of the U.S. We have three young children, two sons and one daughter and are eager to raise our family here. We love how beautiful this area is and look forward to the outdoor activities it has to offer.
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Dr. Adam C. English, OD
I grew up as one of eleven children in an Illinois suburb of St. Louis. After graduating high school, I served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago Chile. It was during that time that I truly gained an appreciation for helping others.
Upon returning from mission service, I was undecided as to which career path I wanted to follow. I attended multiple universities and got highly involved in sales and real estate before I finally decided that Optometry would be the best career for me.
I completed my undergraduate degree at Missouri State University before attending Optometry School in Puerto Rico. It was there that I re-affirmed my love of the Hispanic people. I quickly became involved in Optometric service to the underprivileged and developed an interest in Pediatric Optometry and Ocular Disease.
I first visited this area of the country as a young kid on a rafting trip and have fond memories floating the New River with my friends. While re-visiting this beautiful green countryside, I knew I could not pass up the opportunity to raise my family here. I have a wife, Gloria, and four children, three boys and a girl, who motivate me to be the best husband, father and Optometrist I can be.
I have an interest in a breadth of topics, including music, literature and the outdoors. Of course, if you really want to get my attention, bring up sports. I am humbled and honored to serve my patients and make it my mission to inform and treat them while upholding the highest ethical standards within my profession.
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Dr. Emily Sikes Petanovich, OD
I have had the privilege of calling these beautiful mountains of southwest Virginia “home” my entire life. I was born and raised in Galax, as were my parents and their parents. From childhood, I was a patient of Dr. Shad Wheatley’s. Dr. Wheatley was the first person to introduce me to the field of optometry as a career. From an early age, a passion was incited in me to help others achieve, not only optimal eye health, but overall wellness. I graduated from Galax High School and completed my bachelor’s degree in Biology at Emory & Henry College with advanced studies in Optics. After working as an ophthalmic technician in Abingdon, Virginia, I headed up to Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry to begin my optometric education. In those four years, I met my husband, Eric. I completed my clinical rotations with Honors at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia where I specialized in pediatrics, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina, private practices in Charleston and Charlotte, North Carolina, and a disease rotation with several ophthalmologists in Miami, Florida. These experiences sparked my interest in treating diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration as well as managing diabetes in the eyes.
After graduating optometry school, I was in private practice outside of Atlanta, Georgia for a few years before moving to Fort Mill, South Carolina. When our son, Brooks, was born, we made the decision to move back home to the mountains. It is an honor to serve this community - my community - of honest, hard-working, and kind people and a dream of mine to work alongside the wonderful team at Eye Care on the Ridge.
My family and I enjoy all this area has to offer outdoors biking, hiking, and kayaking. When I’m not chasing my toddler, I also enjoy reading, puzzles, traveling to places I’ve never been, and eating my husband’s cooking.
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Dr. Colin S. Hunsaker, OD
Growing up on a farm in Tremonton, UT, I love the small-town feel and way of life. Coming to Southwestern Virginia has felt like coming home, despite being on the other side of the country. Healthcare has always been where my interests have been, and after an experience showing me how precious vision truly is to everyday life, I decided to pursue a career as an optometrist.
After graduating high school, I served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Upon arriving home, I completed my undergraduate work at Brigham Young University, majoring in neuroscience. My family and I then moved to Southaven, Mississippi, where I attended optometry school at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. While there, I was involved in various clubs and leadership positions that enhanced my experiences and made me learn more than I could have imagined about the art and science of optometry. I completed various externships giving me unique experience in vision therapy, pediatric optometry, and ocular disease.
When not working, I love to work with wood, read, write, watch movies, and be with my family. My wife, Alisha, and I are the parents of three daughters and one son. We look forward to being able to raise our family in this wonderful area with people we have already come to love.