EPIC VISION EYE CENTERS - Key Persons
Dr. Andrea Baker grew up in Garden City, KS. She attended Fort Hays State University, studying biology and chemistry, and completed her pre-requisite classes in three years to attend optometry school. Dr. Baker received her doctorate degree in optometry from the University of Missouri in St. Louis in 1998, where she graduated with honors and was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa. After 18 years of practice in Wichita, KS, her family moved to the Kansas City area in 2016. Throughout her career, Dr. Baker has diagnosed and treated children with vision related learning problems and patients with traumatic brain injuries. She also has training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, such as diabetes and glaucoma, as well as fitting contacts for all ages and prescriptions. Dr. Baker is a member of the American Optometric Association, Kansas Optometric Association, and College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She is also a Kansas clinical director for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes vision screenings. Dr. Baker and her husband, Dr. Tad Baker, have two boys, Brock and Camden, who are competitive soccer players. Her interests include running, creating artwork, traveling, and following her boys' soccer.
Dr. Curtis Myers was born and raised on a farm in rural Ohio, where he attended The Ohio State University. He was one of only six students in a class of 60 to enter The Ohio State College of Optometry after compressing the undergraduate requirements into 2 years. He was also the College of Optometry's first student to have transferred from University College directly into Optometry and received the SUMA award for his GPA. Dr. Myers was involved in the American Optometric Student Association, Fellowship of Christian Optometry Bible study, played extensive intra-mural sports and worked 2 part time jobs until graduating in 1986 with his Doctor of Optometry degree. His wife Jodi, received her BSN, RN from the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University in the same year. The couple moved to KC North where they still reside. They have 4 children. Dr. Myers started a solo private optometric practice until joining Epic Vision Eye Centers in 2013. They have 4 children. They have been members of Hope Fellowship Church since 1987 and serve in various roles at the church. Dr. Myers still hobby farms and enjoys hunting, fishing and teaching his children basic life skills in the rural tradition. He currently volunteers for the USA Swimming Team as a Nationally Certified Referee while his 2 younger daughters swim competitively year round.
Dr. Stigge is a lifelong resident of Manhattan, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University and then transferred to The University of Houston where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Kansas Optometric Association. He is a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. A second generation optometrist, Dr. Stigge has practiced primary care optometry including contact lens services in Manhattan and Waterville Kansas. He has a developing interest in learning related vision problems in children. Dr. Stigge lives in Manhattan with his wife, Kayla, who teaches in the Manhattan USD 383 schools. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. In addition to following his children and grandchildren's sports activities, he enjoys following K-state athletics. He is a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Manhattan. He also is a member of the Manhattan Optimist Club, the Aggieville Business Association and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Douglas Stigge is a local Kansas City resident and has lived in the area his whole life and is a member of the American Optometric Association. These two friendly and caring eye care specialists are just two of the doctors who can provide you with the treatment specialization you need to see better.
Dr. Karli Hubka grew up in Oberlin, Kansas. She earned her Bachelors of Science from Kansas State University. She received her Doctorate of Optometry from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Dr Hubka was chosen by the professors at NSUOCO to be the recipient of the clinical excellence award for outstanding patient care and clinical skills, due to her extensive training in dry eye. She was also chosen as top clinician in pediatrics and awarded the Lynn Cyert Award for Excellence in Pediatric Optometry. Her research on InfantSEE was presented at the 45th Annual College of Vision Development Meeting. Dr. Hubka completed her externship in Tulsa, Oklahoma at a private practice with an emphasis on dry eye management and vision therapy. Dr. Hubka and her husband live in Clay Center with their daughter. She is a member of the Clay Center Rotary Club. Dr. Hubka enjoys spending time with her family and friends and cheering on the Kansas State Wildcats.
Dr. Minh Nguyen originally grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he attended Assumption University, studying Biotechnology and Microbiology. He pursued his optometric training at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. During his time there, Dr. Nguyen was inducted into the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society and was awarded The William Feinbloom Low Vision Award. He also participated in research that was presented at the American Academy of Optometry 2018 Meeting and published in the medical journal Eye. With his clinical experience from Texas and from his time at the Veteran's Administration in Wichita, Dr. Nguyen is now practicing at our Dodge City office. He enjoys spending time outdoors and playing tennis, but spending time with his family takes the gold.
Dr. Ryan Hiesterman earned his Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University before graduating from Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Talequah, Oklahoma. His practice emphasis is ocular disease and primary care; providing comprehensive examinations and treatment for patients of all ages. While in school, Dr. Hiesterman became a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society, served as class President and was voted by his fellow classmates Overall Outstanding Student for the entire four year professional program. He was chosen by the faculty to be awarded the Triad Eye Medical Clinic and Cataract Institute Ocular Disease Award both in 2002 and 2003 while serving as student clinician. Ryan was also awarded the NSUCO Clinical Excellence Award for outstanding clinical skills in patient care. Upon graduating, he was selected by the Northeastern State University Alumni Association as the Jack Kaufmann Outstanding Graduate Student; the first graduate of the NSU College of Optometry to receive this award. Dr. Hiesterman is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Kansas Optometric Association. He is a founding member of Wellspring Outfitters, Inc., a ministry he formed with two family practice physicians in Clay Center. Their goal is to help men understand and live from the masculine heart they were created for by examining the life and leadership style of Jesus Christ. Dr. Hiesterman and his wife, Lindsay, have 4 children. He enjoys spending time with his family, as well as most outdoor activities, hunting and fishing being two of his favorites.
Dr. Taylor Epp grew up in Plymouth, Nebraska and received her Bachelor's degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She then graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee where she was part of Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society, Optometric Private Practice Club, and Low Vision Club. Her optometric interests include primary care and geriatrics. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, bike riding, and relaxing with her golden retriever, Max.
Dr. Tiffany Tiller earned her Doctorate of Optometry degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Elkins Park, PA in 2009. While in optometry school she served as a class officer, received high honors on multiple clinical rotations, and was a four year member of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA). Upon completion of her first year of optometry school she earned a Bachelor of Science in Visual Sciences. In June 2012, Dr. Tiller was selected to attend the Vision Care Institute in Jacksonville, FL for additional contact lens training and techniques. Dr. Tiller earned her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. While in attendance, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Dr. Tiller grew up in St. Joseph, MO and attended Bishop LeBlond High School. She practiced in Independence, MO and North Kansas City for four years before joining Epic Vision full time. Dr. Tiller and long-time boyfriend Anthony currently reside in the Northland. They enjoy spending time with their daughters, Audrey and Burke, and two cats, Sophie and Zeus. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, various outdoor activities, cheering for her favorite sports teams (Go Royals! Go Chiefs!), bowling, and playing ice hockey.
Dr. Tad Baker is a native of Topeka, Kansas where he graduated from Shawnee Heights High School. He attended Fort Hays State University where he ran track and cross country and received his Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. Dr. Baker received his Doctorate degree in Optometry from the University of Missouri in St. Louis where he graduated with honors in 1997. Dr. Baker comes to us with nearly 20 years of experience in a multi location private practice in Wichita Kansas. Dr. Baker is experienced in the treatment and management of ocular disease including the treatment of glaucoma, conjunctivitis and diseases of the eye and its related tissues. He has also completed post graduate courses from Pacific University in systemic pharmacological treatment of eye diseases, as well as post-graduate courses in diabetes, glaucoma and laser vision correction. Dr. Baker is an active member of the American Optometric Association, Kansas Eye Care Services, and Beta Sigma Kappa Honorary Academic Society. He also serves in the United States Air Force, Kansas Air National Guard. Lieutenant Colonel Baker serves with the 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field in Topeka where he assists the pilots and members of the 190th with their eye care. Lieutenant Colonel Baker was recently named the Air Force medical services National Optometrist of the year for the Air National Guard. Dr. Baker and his wife Dr. Andrea Baker have two children, Brock and Camden. Dr. Baker's interests outside of Optometry are world history, global geopolitics, soccer, travel, philanthropy, technology and inventions and trail running
Dr. Anderson is a native of Fort Scott, KS. He received his Bachelors Degree from Pittsburgh State University before earning his Doctorate of Optometry degree from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry in 2004. While in optometry school, Dr Anderson served as class president and was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. His clinical experience is broad including acute care optometry, ocular disease, contact lens fitting, vision therapy and traumatic brain injuries that result in ocular deficits. Dr. Anderson is founder of the Smithville location starting the practice in 2006. He has a long history of providing the patient with an exceptional experience by utilizing skilled exam techniques and active listening. After being away from Epic Vision for two years, we are excited to have him back! Dr. Anderson lives in Smithville and has two children. He loves to coach his kid's sports teams, hunt, fish and spend time outdoors.