ALICE COBIAN HERNANDEZ

MANAGER, EYEWEAR BOUTIQUE
OPTICIAN
    

     It is my job to keep our optical boutique up-to-date. I meet with frame representatives and choose frames that are stylish and well-made. We have found if we limit our inventory to high quality frames, everyone saves in the long run. We save because the frames stay in adjustment and rarely need repair. You save because your frame stays in good repair and lasts a long time. I also work with our laboratory representatives to insure that our jobs are being fabricated to our exacting specifications, that the quality is uncompromised and the jobs are completed on a
timely basis. The labs tell us we are the "pickiest" office in town. We are proud of that reputation.
       Like all the other staff, I am an optician. As such, I am delighted to help you select a fabulous pair of glasses or adjust your current pair. 
       I had LASIK in 2007 and can give you lots of information from my perspective.  Finally, I also assist the doctors in performing patient medical tests such as corneal mapping, corneal thickness assessment, glaucoma testing and retinal imaging.

Sara Claxton

FRONT OFFICE COORDINATOR,

OPTICIAN

OFFICE CONCIERGE
  

     I am responsible for running the front office including the very important phone system. I schedule your appointments, take phone orders, answer your questions, and triage emergencies. I am responsible for creating excellent patient flow and insuring your comfort. I can also assist you in obtaining insurance authorization, and an explanation of your benefits. Think of me as the office "concierge".

     Like the other Family I Care staff, I am an optician trained to fit, adjust and repair your glasses as well as help you select a frame the compliments your face and is appropriate for your prescription.

     I am a second generation San Diegan, raised in Clairemont and  I attended Madison High School.  I am married to a wonderful man, Steve and we live in La Mesa.   I am a real “soft-touch” for abandoned animals.  We have several rescued kitties and a turtle... our home is a regular zoo.

Raymond Alvarado

  CONTACT LENS TECHNICIAN

  ORTHO-K COORDINATOR

  OPTICIAN

  SURGERY CO-MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR

     As the Contact Lens Technician, my duties include inspecting and verifying your contact lenses, resurfacing them when needed and training new lens candidates.  I am always there to answer your lens-related questions.  I insure that the office inventory of diagnostic contact lenses is always complete.  I also meet with the contact lens manufacturers to learn about new lenses, materials and solutions.   This is a big job because the industry is changing so rapidly.  Research brings us several new products each month. 

     I coordinate our OrthoK corneal reshaping program.  I spend time with interested patients describing this exciting process and answering questions.  When the patient is I handle scheduling their fitting and follow up appointments, training and education.

      Due to the doctor's increased ability to treat disease I meet with pharmaceutical representatives and have gone through training to learn all about the different drugs we can prescribe.  I am the doctor's liaison with the local pharmacies.

      As Surgical CoManagement Coordinator, I help you schedule cataract or refractive surgery with the surgeon and the follow up visits with our doctors at this office.  I make sure you have all the written information needed to educate you regarding your procedure and ehlp you follow the proper medication protocol before and after surgery. 

      Of course, like the other staff, I am an optician.  As such, I am delighted to help you select a fabulour pair of glasses or adjust your current pair.     

      On a personal note, I am a native of  Calexico.  In my spare time I try to be very involved in sports.  My favorites are volleyball and softball.  When I am not on any type of playing field, I am at home using my artistic side, oil painting. 

 Phoung Ho

Optician

 Optical Lab Co-Manager

      My responsibility is as liaison with the optical laboratories that make our spectacle lenses.  It is my job to insure that our patient’s glasses pass our strict quality assurance standards and that they receive the latest technology in lenses.  I meet with the labs to make sure they understand that we require a superior product in our office.  Periodically I tour these labs to inspect their procedures and evaluate their quality control.  

       I am also responsible for researching all new lens products.  This is a huge task as new ultra thin lenses, improved progressives and many types of high-tech coatings are being invented each month.  I study the written material on these products and also order a sample so we can do our own testing and evaluation.  

       Like the other staff, I am an optician.  As such, I am delighted to help you select  a fabulous pair of glasses from our eyewear boutique or adjust your current pair to perfection.   

       I also help our doctors with any preliminary testing such as ocular pressure measurement, peripheral vision documentation, retinal imaging, corneal thickness measurement and many more.  Ask about our Optos laser scanning ophthalmoscope, it is the latest and greatest. I enjoy helping others and will try my best  to make your doctor’s visit more pleasurable.

      In my spare time I love to bake for others.  Yummy!  I hope to learn how to make better cakes and decorate them.  I also like trying different types of food.  I always say, “try it once and if you don’t like it, at least you know”.  The spicier the better!

      Currently, I am going to school at Grossmont community college and working towards a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 

Erin Dollar

Optometric Assistant
  

     Like Dr. Arabo I have been a patient of Dr. Cauchi for years.  In fact, I have been coming to the office even before I was born.  So I was delighted when they suggested that I come to work with them part time during my college years.

      I answer the phones and can help you schedule appointments, check on your orders, answer questions and keep the office clean and sterile.  In addition, I am the opticians’ assistant keeping track of the frames in the optical boutique.  We have lots of frames, so that’s a big job.

     When I am not working at Family I Care, I attend Grossmont Community College where I am studying biology and psychology. 

     My family has become involved in a wonderful civic project.  We foster infants who cannot be with their birth parents.  We give them lots of love and attention until they can be reunited with their parents or adopted. 

IRENE MORTON

OPTICIAN
  

In years past I worked full time with Family I Care. However, with the birth of my first grandson, I have decided to work part time. I am a fully trained optician, and can repair, adjust and fit your glasses, triage emergencies and assist Sara in running the front office.