SOUTH TULSA VISION DEVELOPMENT CENTER - Key Persons
Alicin Vanni is a Vision Therapist at South Tulsa Vision Development Center. Alicin came to us with experience of working in an afterschool program for underprivileged children and serving in children's ministries where she became passionate about helping others reach their full potential. Alicin has been a valued member of the STVDC family since October of 2021. Alicin says, "Vision Therapy has such a big impact on so many lives of both children and adults". She is excited to continue her education and help improve the quality of life for others through Vision Therapy.
Alicin is from Arkansas and moved to Tulsa to attend Victory College. She loves spending time with friends and family, being active, serving others, attending concerts, and traveling. Alicin says, "I love being a Vision Therapist for many reasons, but one of my favorites is when you see a patient become more confident in themselves as their eyes start working better. They start to see the world differently and it changes their whole perspective on life. I also love that Vision Therapy doesn't just benefit our patients; it also benefits the people around them. There is nothing like a mom coming to you and saying how much you have impacted their child's whole life, but also how it has impacted their family".
Job Titles:
- Developmental Optometrist
Dr. Megan N Ford is a Developmental Optometrist, Board Certified in Pediatrics/Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, as well as with the American Board of Optometry.
Dr. Ford is a Tulsa, OK native. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. Dr. Ford received her Doctor of Optometry from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry in Tahlequah, and completed a post-graduate residency in pediatrics/vision therapy and rehabilitation vision through Southern College of Optometry at Child and Family Eye Care in Wichita, KS where she successfully treated a wide range of binocular vision problems, including: patients with vision problems that effect reading and learning to vision difficulties caused by acquired brain injury/concussions.
At South Tulsa Vision Development Center, Dr. Ford diagnoses and treats binocular vision difficulties such as vision problems that effect reading and learning, double vision, eye tracking problems, headaches, lazy (or turned) eyes, and post-concussion/TBI vision problems. Since starting South Tulsa Vison Development Center, Dr. Ford has treated hundreds of patients through Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation. Dr. Ford is also trained and actively treating patients in Syntoincs (optometric light therapy).
Dr. Ford is active in the American Optometric Association, Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians, College of Optometry in Vision Development, and the College of Syntonic Optometry.
Like many of the children Dr. Ford sees, she struggled in school starting at a young age and all the way through college. Learning and reading was always much more challenging for her then her other classmates. It wasn't until she started her education in optometry school that she determined she had a vision problem that was affecting her schooling. Through the help of her professors and classmates, she was able to be successfully be treated through therapeutic lenses and was amazed at how much easier and enjoyable schoolwork and reading was for her. Because of these drastic changes, Dr. Ford decided to further her optometric education and seek special training in vision therapy so she can help the many students like her, but at a much earlier age!
Jada McGoldrick is a vision therapist at South Tulsa Vision Development Center. She is studying psychology through Oklahoma Wesleyan University with the hopes of pursuing a career in child psychology, eager to help parents navigate their children's emotional and mental development as well as equipping the next generation with the tools to take on the world. Because of this, she recognized the value of hands-on work alongside patients wanting to see the world around them in a clearer way through vision therapy, and thus joined the team in the spring of 2024.
Originally from the East Coast, Jada moved to Oklahoma to attend Victory College, spending two years in the media program while helping with large-scale holiday productions and Sunday services. When not serving at Believers Church Celebrate Recovery or doing homework, Jada spends her time writing, reading, spending time with her husband of six years, and making friends laugh. When asked why she's eager to work as a vision therapist, Jada says, "I've always enjoyed teaching and encouraging others to see what they're capable of and being someone that can pull out their potential. The opportunity to help patients literally see what the world has to offer them is a privilege."
Jared is new to Vision Therapy, but has quickly been able to realize the difference it makes in patient's lives. "There's nothing more rewarding than being able to see the growth in a patient's vision, when comparing their abilities as they first enter our office, to their vision abilities on the final day of therapy."
Jared is originally from Utah, but has lived in Oklahoma his entire life. He's married and has a daughter. He attends First Baptist Jenks, and enjoys playing soccer as well as attending FC Tulsa games, playing disc golf, and spending time with his family.
Jared is currently working towards being eligible to take the first steps in becoming a Certified Therapist through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
Job Titles:
- Certified Vision Therapist & Referral Liaison
Julie Anderson is an optometric vision therapist at South Tulsa Vision Development Center. Julie came to our clinic in 2017 with over 10 years of experience in the optometry field, as well as numerous hours of academic training through Lansing Community College. Julie is a Certified Optometric Vision Therapist through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Julie had to complete 9 essay questions, a written exam, and an oral interview to be one of few certified vision therapists in Oklahoma, and one of two certified vision therapist in Tulsa!
Julie grew up in Michigan and enjoys traveling, cooking, photography but most of all spending time with her husband and twin daughters. Julie's passion for vision therapy comes from her own vision struggles. Julie says "I love vision therapy because I know personally what it's like to struggle in school and the frustration that it can cause. The feeling of no matter how hard I tried it wasn't good enough. So seeing benefits that result from vision therapy the most impactful is knowing our patients' lives will be forever changed. There's nothing more rewarding."
Job Titles:
- Certified Optometric Vision Therapist
Kaitie Brown is a Vision Therapist at South Tulsa Vision Development Center. Kaitie came with a background of early childhood education working in an elementary school specifically with children on IEP's and having trouble in class. Kaitie says, "I saw firsthand in the school system, that many children struggle with their reading and focusing. I know vision therapy makes a big impact and will change so many lives."
Kaitie is from Iowa and moved to Tulsa to attend Victory College. She graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in organizational management and is certified as a vision therapist through College of Optometry in Vision Development. She loves being outdoors, spending time with her friends, and traveling. Her favorite part about vision therapy is when the patient starts to see and do things they never could before!
Lindsey Prince is a vision therapist at South Tulsa Vision Development Center. Lindsey first came to our clinic in 2018. Before joining our team, Lindsey was a patient herself completing a full therapy program. Lindsey brings a unique perspective to the therapy room having been through therapy and now being tasked with guiding others through the process. She has received her AS of Business Administration from Tulsa Community College and is completing her Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in pre-health at Northeastern State University's Broken Arrow campus. Lindsey has been accepted to the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry and will begin her training to become an optometrist in the Fall of 2024.
Lindsey is very passionate about vision therapy and the impact it can have on a patient's life. In 2017, Lindsey suffered a stroke. After the stroke she had diminished feeling and control of the right side of her body, and peripheral vision loss. Lindsey went through a month of speech therapy, six months of physical therapy, and nine months of occupational therapy. The help she received in these months made her aware she wanted her career to help others going through similar situations. But it wasn't until after completing all of these, Lindsey began having severe visual discomfort that greatly impacted her schooling. Lindsey's optometrist referred her to South Tulsa Vision Development Center. Before this, she couldn't read more than a page of a book at a time, or even look from her desk to the board without severe headaches/eye discomfort. Lindsey says, "Out of all of the therapy I've done, vision therapy is the only one that I left feeling 100% better than when I came." After seeing her results, she knew vision therapy was how she wanted to be to help others.
Lindsey is from Sand Springs and enjoys reading when she isn't too busy with school or wedding planning. She has said "My favorite part is seeing patients faces light up when they see improvement, and I celebrate with them, because I know just how amazing that feeling is."
Job Titles:
- Certified Optometric Vision Therapist
Sylvia Ewing is an optometric vision therapist at South Tulsa Vision Development Center. Sylvia came to our clinic in 2015 with six years of vision therapy training, as well as numerous hours of academic training through Tulsa Community College, College of Optometrists in Vision Development and College of Syntonics Optometry. Sylvia is always continuing her education and knowledge in vision therapy. She has attended syntonics courses in order to incorporate syntonics (light therapy) as another tool for vision therapy. She has also completed her certification through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Sylvia had to complete 9 essay questions, a written exam, and an oral interview to be one of the few certified vision therapists in Oklahoma, and one of three certified vision therapist in Tulsa!
Sylvia grew up in Mannford, OK and loves spending time with her husband, two daughters, and attending Friendship Baptist church in Owasso. Sylvia says, "I love being a vision therapist, knowing you're changing someone's point of view of the world around them and/or making them successful in something they normally would struggle with, is like no other feeling!"
We are extremely grateful to have Sylvia on our team. We value the experiences she has obtained in her years of training, her passion for helping and educating others, and her desire to continue growing in the Optometric Vision Therapy Field.