Doctors and Staff

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 Association of Optometric Physicians, Orthokeratology Academy of America, Scleral Lens Education Society, and Ocular Surface Society of Optometry. 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. He has also been a clinical investigator for Bausch & Lomb and Menicon contact lens products.

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. While in optometry school, Dr. McBride was a teaching assistant in the anatomy and histology labs and a member of Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Fraternity. Among his accomplishments during his training was earning the highest score in the nation on the National Board exam.

Dr. McBride is an active member and Past-President of both the Tullahoma Sunrise Rotary Club and Coffee County Toastmasters. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Motlow College Alumni Association. A percussionist since sixth grade, 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. He very much remains a drum corps enthusiast and regularly attends competitions in the summertime. Also known as the "Drum Doctor" in marching percussion circles, he has enjoyed working with several high school band programs over the years.

Beyond his varied music interests, Dr. McBride's hobbies include audio recording, video production and home theater. He is also an avid sports fan and closely follows University of Tennessee athletics. 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 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.

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 Optometric Association and Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians. 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.  

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

Susan Amelang, L.D.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 square dancing and traveling. She and her husband are active members of the First Christian Church of Tullahoma.

Melissa Porter, L.D.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 contact lens patients. Patient instruction on insertion and removal of contacts and lens care products also make up a big part of Melissa's day. She also assists patients with frame styling and discusses lens products that best serve visual needs and lifestyle requirements.

Melissa enjoys motorcycle trips with her husband Don and spending time with her family.

Penny Owens

Penny Owens has been with Tullahoma vision Associates since 1991. Penny is the office manager and insurance coordinator. She also helps with patient "pretest," which consists of case history, measuring vision and performing specialized tests.

Penny lives in Moore County with her husband, Joe.  She enjoys motorcycling with her husband and spending time with her family.

Ann Whittington

Ann Whittington joined Tullahoma Vision Associates in 1997 as part of Dr. Hoge's merger with the practice. She performs preliminary testing with patients including case history, measuring vision, specialized measurements and digital imaging of the eye. Her organizational skills are utilized in other areas of the office as well.

Ann was born and raised in Iowa.  She moved to Tullahoma in March of 1997 with her husband Rich and daughters Lindsay and Ashley. In her time away from the office she enjoys travelling by motorcycle or airplane

Allison Arnold

Allison Arnold joined our staff in December 2002 as an optician. However, she worked in the practice in the early '80s before leaving to raise her children. In addition to operating our lens finishing lab, her duties include frame styling and helping patients with various lens options, repairs, and adjustments. She also assists with contact lens fittings and instructs patients on insertion, removal, and care of lenses.

Allison resides in Estill Springs with her husband Mike.  In her time away from the office she enjoys traveling, reading, arts and crafts, and spending time with her sons Derek and Matthew

Tia Stein

Tia has been with Tullahoma Vision Associates since February 2011. Tia is the patient relations coordinator and assists with patient appointments, insurance, and billing.

Tia is currently working on continuing education and obtaining her degree at Motlow State Community College.

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 Association of Optometric Physicians 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.