Our Doctors
Rick E. Peterson
Dr. Rick Peterson was born in Park Ridge, Illinois and he grew up in Arlington Heights. He decided to become an Optometrist while participating in mission work in the Dominican Republic with Dr. Oswald. Dr. Peterson reveals, "This experience taught me how important vision is, and the fulfillment I could achieve in helping others."
Dr. Peterson attended the University of Iowa, and continued his education at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he received his BS in Visual Science and Doctor of Optometry degree. He also received awards for his work in pediatric/binocular vision and advanced ophthalmic care.
Dr. Peterson is the president of The Laser Network, executive board member of United Eye Care Providers, and a former clinical instructor for the Illinois College of Optometry. He is a graduate of the Disney Institute/Essilor MBA program. He is actively testing new ophthalmic designs for glasses and contact lenses. He frequently lectures on binocular vision to teachers, parents, and students. Dr. Peterson also presents seminars on the benefits and newest technology of lasik refractive surgery. He is TPA certified and is a specialist in binocular vision and focusing disorders along with advanced diagnostic techniques of ocular, orbital, and neurological disorders.
Dr. Peterson lives in Lemont with his wife Julie, and their 3 children. They are active in St. Alphonsus parish and support local organizations for children with special needs.
James B. Sowinski
Dr. James Sowinski was born and raised in Tinley Park, Illinois. He completed his undergraduate studies at Valparaiso University in Indiana and graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in 2001. He went on to complete a one year residency at Newington VA Medical Center in Connecticut where he performed eye exams with heavy emphasis on ocular disease. He was also involved in supervising and teaching students in areas of primary care and ocular disease at that residency. He has been in private optometric and ophthalmologic practices in California, where he specialized in ocular disease, co-managing ophthalmologic surgical cases, and fitting contact lenses. He also restarted and performed low vision care services at the ophthalmology department in Woodland, California.
He has spoken publicly several times, including a medical review he presented at the New England College of Optometry. He is the recipient of the 2001 Lighthouse Macular Degeneration Award and VSP Award of Excellence in 2005.
Dr. Sowinski is therapeutically certified to prescribe medications for the eyes. His areas of specialty include medical diagnosis and treatment of the eyes, treating traumas and emergencies, and contact lens fittings.
Dr. Sowinski is excited to be back in the Chicagoland area and living in Manhattan with his wife, Danielle and their son. He enjoys backpacking, hiking, sports, and spending time with family and friends
Justin Kucsera
Dr. Justin Kucsera was born and raised in Northwest Indiana, attending Lake Central High School in St John, IN. Afterwards, he went on to do his undergraduate work at Ball State University in Muncie, IN, where he majored in Biology and graduated Sum Cum Laude. He continued his education at Indiana University School of Optometry and received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2010. During his training, he completed multiple externships across the Midwest including: Indianapolis Eye Care Center, Bowersox Vision Center in Shelbyville, KY, and Huntington VA Medical Center in Huntington, WV. He has volunteered for local school vision screenings, as well as sports vision screenings.
Dr. Kucsera has previously practiced in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. He is therapeutically certified to prescribe medications for the eyes and has experience in primary care, pediatrics, cataract and LASIK co-management, contact lens fitting, as well as ocular traumas and emergencies.
He currently resides in Crown Point, IN, along with his fiancé, Stephanie. He enjoys working out, playing and watching sports (particularly the Chicago Bears and White Sox), traveling, boating, and spending time with his family and friends.
Jennifer Johnson
Dr. Jennifer Johnson grew up in Northwest Indiana, attending Lake Central High School in St. John. She continued her undergraduate education at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana on an academic scholarship. After three years of undergraduate school, Dr. Johnson was accepted into the Indiana University School of Optometry where she completed her bachelor degree in Vision Science. During her training, she completed multiple externships across the country including: Bowersox Vision Center in Shelbyville, KY, Indianapolis Eye Care Center, and Hudson Valley V.A. in Montrose, NY. She also participated in many volunteer programs including local school vision screenings, sports vision screenings, as well as screenings at the Junior and Special Olympics.
Dr. Johnson graduated in 2010 as a doctor of optometry and is licensed to prescribe therapeutic medications and to treat ocular conditions. While she has experience in most areas of optometry, Dr. Johnson has extensive training in the areas of pediatrics/binocular vision and anterior segment disease.
Currently residing in Crete, Illinois, Dr. Johnson recently married her husband, Ryan. She enjoys going to professional sporting events, traveling, SCUBA diving, and spending time with family and friends.
Samra Hashmi
Dr. Samra Hashmi specializes in intraocular lens implant surgery, corneal transplant surgery and refractive or laser vision corrective surgery for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Board certified ophthalmologist and member of the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Hashmi earned her medical degree at the premier medical institute in Pakistan, The Aga Khan University, in 1994.
Her Postgraduate training included a research fellowship in the Hypertension section, Department of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York and a Research fellowship in Cornea and External Diseases at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City. Dr. Hashmi completed her residency in Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia and a Fellowship in Refractive Surgery at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dr. Hashmi performs cataract surgery with multi-focal implants using the current no-stich, no-patch technique.
Samra Hashmi, MD is affiliated with the following professional organizations:
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
- American Society for Hypertension
In her free time Dr. Hashmi enjoys spending time with her husband Nashib, a nephrologist and their three children. She is active in the community and her hobbies include traveling and reading books.
Majid Rassouli
Dr. Majid Rassouli attended Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine from 1994 -1998. He received his Bachelor of Science (microbiology) in 1991, from the University of Washington. His postgraduate training included an internship at Henry Ford Hospital/Bi-County Hospital in Michigan. Dr. Rassouli completed his residency at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine/Midwestern University from 1999-2002. He completed his Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellowship in 2003 at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
Dr. Rassouli is Board certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is also affiliated with the following professional organizations: American Academy of Ophalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgeons.
Eli Lelis
Dr. Eli Lelis has been in practice for over 12 years and is well recognized in the southwest suburbs and Joliet. He is board certified and has performed thousands of surgeries, and lectured on numerous surgical methods. He went to school at Wayne State University and attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. His residency was performed at Loyola University and he is a member of the American Academy of Opthalmology.
Kevin J. Kovach
Dr. Kevin Kovach received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with honors from the University of Illinois. He was accepted at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine where he completed his graduate work. He graduated Doctor of Medicine Cum Laude and continued his transitional residency work at MacNeal Hospital. He completed his residency at Loyola UMC and then joined Hayden Regional Eye Center.
He is a certified eye surgeon of the American Board of Ophthalmology, and a member of the American Association of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the International Society of Refractive Surgeons. He is currently on staff at Elmhurst Hospital, Gottlieb Hospital, Oak Park Hospital and is the head of Ophthalmology at Elmhurst Outpatient Surgery Center. Dr. Kovach has been performing laser procedures with The Laser Network since it was first opened. He believes that a strong network of optometrists and ophthalmolgists is necessary to offer patients the most comprehensive eye care possible.
Calvin Grant
Dr. Calvin Grant has received extensive training to become one of the most heralded ophthalmologists in the greater Chicago area. His résumé includes schooling at the following esteemed academic institutions: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, and a surgical fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Vitreoretinal Department.
Dr. Grant has received industry-wide recognition for his pioneering work in a variety of eye-related disabilities and disorders. Dr. Grant has been called upon to lecture ophthalmologists across the globe for innovative treatments for retinal vein occlusions and macular degeneration. In addition to his dedication to his work, Dr. Grant is devoted to establishing an intimate patient/doctor relationship in order to provide you with the highest level of comfort.
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