Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Mitchell and Krys Gwizdak.
Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Gwizdak, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Dr. Mitchell: I began wearing glasses in first grade. My eye doctor as a child took an interest and she asked me what subjects I was interested in when I was about 12 years old, honestly, I had no idea what interested me. She kind of took me under her wing and let me shadow her. My interest in eye care developed and going into college I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
I was a born and raised a So Cal kid. Born and raised in Whittier, did my undergrad at CSULB, and went to optometry school in Fullerton.
While doing my undergrad at CSULB I interned at Sea View Optometric Center with Drs. Bisson and Gwizdak. When Dr. Bisson retired in 2016 and Dr. Gwizdak took over the practice he asked me to return to Sea View Optometric Center, only this time it was as an optometrist.
In a way, it was kind of like making a full circle and returning home.
I now live in Lakewood and enjoy spending time with my wife and our 6-year-old twins.
Dr. Gwizdak: I have lived most of my life in Long Beach and the surrounding areas. My family came here from London, England, my birthplace, when I was just two years old. I received my Doctorate degree from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1993 after having graduated from CSULB and Millikan High School in Long Beach.
In my almost 25 years as an optometrist, I have worked in various settings, from private optometric practices to ophthalmology surgery/research offices to lasik surgery centers, giving me a wide range of experiences in the eye care field.
I came to Sea View Optometric in Long Beach, CA in the summer of 2002 to help Dr. Bisson with a rapidly growing practice. Dr. Bisson and I worked together in the year before his retirement to make a smooth transition to me being the new practice owner for our patients and bringing Dr. Mitchell into the practice.
2017 has been a year of remodeling the office. This has been exciting and a lot of work! The reaction we’ve been getting from longtime patients has been one of delight to see the office so bright and inviting, and rejuvenated.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Many people don’t understand the hard work required to become an optometrist. You have to have a bachelor’s degree, completing many of the science and math pre-requisites required for optometry school. You have to take an admissions test called the OAT. Then you have to apply and be accepted to an optometry college. After that optometry school is 4 intense years of lectures, labs, patient care and clinical rotations. You also have to pass 3 national board exams and a state law exam. After all of that-you find a job!
Dr. Mitchell: Right out of optometry school my wife and I were trying to get pregnant. With a family on the way, the pressure was on. I definitely worked at some places that wouldn’t be my first choice for one reason or another, but you do what you have to do. Let’s just say I’m happy to be where I am now!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sea View Optometric Center – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We truly are a small business specializing in providing the best in eye care and eyewear! You will receive exceptional care from Drs. Gwizdak and Mitchell. You will receive personalized attention from our opticians when they fit you with your eyewear. We do not contract with one lab or lens manufacturer (like big box stores do), so you will receive the lens that is customized for you and your needs. The thing that sets us apart is the individualized care you will receive from our staff.
We keep up with the latest technologies at Sea View Optometric Center. We offer retinal imaging, which often eliminates the need for your eyes to be dilated. We also treat the newest concern in ocular health, blue light. Blue light comes from multiple sources such as computers, smartphones, LED lights, even the sun and affects the very young to the aged. We will provide you with the education and products to help protect your eyes from this damaging light.
We are also involved in our local community, participating in events such as Long Beach Pride and health fairs at The LGBTQ Center in Long Beach.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The near future will see an expansion of our schedule to allow for more appointment availability. We are still completing our remodel and look forward to it being done by the very busy holiday season. We plan to have a grand re-opening event, so look for more details to come!
Contact Info:
- Address: 328 Redondo Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90814 - Website: www.SeaViewOptometry.com
- Phone: 562-439-0486
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeaViewOptometry/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sea-view-optometric-center-long-beach-2#query:seaview
- Other: https://www.healthgrades.com/group-directory/ca-california/long-beach/sea-view-optometric-center-oo8g3sc
Image Credit:
Ellen Brown
Susan Kallok
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