Tullahoma Vision Associates, P.C.

J. Shawn McBride, O.D.

Dr. McBride is the owner of Tullahoma Vision Associates. He joined the practice after graduating summa cum laude from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where he was salutatorian of the Class of 1992. He became owner of the practice in 1996. Dr. McBride is therapeutically certified in the treatment and management of ocular disease and is a member of the American Optometric Association (Contact Lens and Cornea Section member), Tennessee Optometric Association, and the Orthokeratology Association of America. He is also a Fellow of the Tennessee Academy of Optometry and a Past-President of the South Central Tennessee Optometric Society. Dr. McBride particularly enjoys working in several specialty areas, including dry eye treatment, bifocal and other special-design contact lenses, orthokeratology/Corneal Refractive Therapy, and laser vision correction pre- and post-operative care.

A native of Tullahoma and 1983 graduate of Tullahoma High School, Dr. McBride received his Associate of Science degree from Motlow State Community College in 1986. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he majored in biology. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 after compiling a perfect 4.0 grade-point average at UT. Dr. McBride is a Past-President of the Tullahoma Sunrise Rotary Club and a Past-President of Coffee County Toastmasters.

He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Motlow College Alumni Association. In his spare time he enjoys music and playing drums, and he regularly attends drum corps shows in the summertime. In fact, Dr. McBride was a member of the World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps of Rockford, Illinois in 1984 and 1986, and he was an instructor for the corps in 1987. Dr. McBride is a member of First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma where he plays percussion in the instrumental ensemble and is in charge of sound for the 10:55 am worship service.

Edward R. Hoge, Jr., O.D.

Dr. Hoge, Jr. began private practice in 1967 as an associate with Dr. Kenneth S. Lewis in Dyersburg, Tennessee. In 1970 he moved to Tullahoma to establish his own practice at 317 North Jackson Street. In 1978, he relocated to 504 North Jackson Street in the Professional Arts Building. His practice later became known at Tullahoma Family Eye Care. In 1997, Dr. Hoge closed his practice and joined Tullahoma Vision Associates on April 1 - no foolin!

Dr. Hoge is a 1967 graduate of Southern College of Optometry where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees. He has been certified in the treatment and management of ocular disease and is a member of the American and Tennessee Optometric Associations. He is also a fellow in the Tennessee Academy of Optometry. Dr. Hoge received his certification in laser vision correction pre- and post-operative care in 1996.

A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Dr. Hoge grew up in Nashville where he graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1960. He later attended Middle Tennessee State University and Peabody College. Dr. Hoge is a member and Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Tullahoma. In the past he has served on the Board of Directors of the Coffee County Vocational Training Center, the Tullahoma Community Development and Housing Commission, the Coffee County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and the Tullahoma Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Tullahoma Hands-On-Science Center.

In his spare time, Dr. Hoge enjoys personal computing and listening to a variety of music and was once a professional musician while working his way through college.

Susan Amelang, D.P.O.

Susan Amelang began her employment with Tullahoma Vision Associates in August 1977. She received her Tennessee Dispensing Optician's license in May 1980, and is a member of the Tennessee Dispensing Opticians Association. She enjoys her time spent in all facets of her job which include frame styling, repairs and adjustments, patient relations, frame board management and various other office duties when needed.

Susan is married and has two children. She is an avid reader and enjoys cross-stitching, following her favotite baseball team, and travelling. She and her husband are active members of the First Christian Church of Tullahoma.

Melissa Porter, A.B.O.

A native of Alabama, Melissa and her family moved to Tennessee in 1983. She began working for Tullahoma Vision Associates in June 1988 as the contact lens assistant. After several years Melissa became a member of the Tennessee Dispensing Opticians Association and began the apprenticeship program for both contact lens fitting and dispensing opticians.

In January 1999 she received her Tennessee State license and national certification. Melissa's main responsibility is in the contact lens room where she assists the doctors with new and established contact lens patients. Patient education is a top priority. Much time is spent on product information, orthokeratology treatment, and corrective procedures such as LASIK surgery.

Patient instruction on insertion and removal of contacts and lens care products also make up a big part of Melissa's day. Proper training is essential for successful contact lens wear and continued good health of the eye.

Melissa is also involved in working in the spectacle dispensary. Patient frame styling and product information are time consuming, but always much appreciated by the patient. Taking part in patient work-ups and histories is another interesting aspect of Melissa's job. Working one on one with patients is rewarding and makes the day pass quickly.

Penny Owens

Penny Owens has been with Tullahoma vision Associates since 1991. She was orginally hired to work 2 days per week and is now a full time employee. Penny handles patients billing and insurance inquiries as well as filing and billing insurance.

She is married to Joe Owens and has two sons. They live in Moore County with their two dogs, cat, and horse. She enjoys horseback riding, reading and spending time with her family. Penny is involved with her children's school and outside activities, and is an active member of her church.

Ann Whittington

Ann Whittington joined Tullahoma Vision Associates on April 1, 1997 as part of Dr. Hoge's merger with the practice. She is employed part-time and her duties inculdes providing continuity of patient care in all areas of the office wherever needed.

Her skills include adjusting and dispensing eyewear, contact lens dispensing, pre-exam testing, and various front office responsibilities.

Ann and her husband Rich reside in Tullahoma with their daughters Ashley and Lindsay. In her leisure time she enjoys spending time with her family, motorcycling, scuba diving, cross-stitching and reading.

Allison Arnold

Allison Arnold is the newest member of our staff, joining us in December 2002 as an optician. However, she worked in the practice in the early '80s before leaving to raise her children. We are excited to have Allison back with us! Her duties include frame styling and helping parients with various lens options, as well as assisting contact lens patients. Allison resides in Estill Springs with her husband Mike and sons Derek and Matthew.

Christie Faulkner
Christie Faulkner began her employment with Tullahoma Vision Associates in December, 2006. Christie is Director of First Impressions. Her responsibilities include greeting patients, updating patient records, and scheduling and confirming appointments. She also handles insurance inquiries and confirmation of benefits. She trained as an optician for about a year, which included frame styling, dispensing glasses, and making repairs and adjustments. In addition, she has assisted the doctors with contact lens patients. Christie graduated from Franklin County High School in 1994 and then earned her Associates Degree from Motlow State Community College in 2000. She lives in Winchester, TN, and shares her residence with two wonderful boys, Blake and Grant and their dog, Gretta. Christie loves the outdoors along with cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Robin M. Brady, O.D.

Dr. Robin Brady completed his undergraduate work at Central Michigan University in 1991. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1995 from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. While at the Southern College of Optometry, Dr. Brady was elected Outstanding Clinician by faculty and fellow students. Dr. Brady completed a residency in ocular disease and pathology at Omega Eye Services in Jackson, Tennessee in 1996.

Following his residency, Dr. Brady served as Director of South Central Tennessee Operations of VisionAmerica. Dr. Brady joined SouthEast Eye Specialists in 2001 where he currently serves as Director of Clinics and Refractive Services.

Dr. Brady is an active member of the Tennessee Optometric Association and American Optometric Association and currently serves as Trustee of the Southeast Tennessee Optometric Society.

Edward A. Peterson, M.D.

Dr. Edward Peterson received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1998 from the University of Utah. While there, he received the Howard Hughes Biology Research Scholarship. Folloing his Doctor of Medicine degree, Dr. Peterson completed a medical and surgical internship at Ball Memorial Hospital in Indiana. He completed an Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Kentucky while serving as a Clinical Instructor. During his fellowship, he also received special training in neuro-ophthalmology, strabismus, and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Peterson is Board Certified in Ophthalmology with a pediatric ophthalmology subspecialty. He also specializes in cataract and lens implantation in both children and adults. Dr. Peterson has presented research at the American Pediatric Ophthalmology Association as well as the North American Neuro-ophthalmology Association. He is a member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Dr. Peterson joined SouthEast Eye Specialists PLLC in 2003 where he currently serves as Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus.