Julie Steebs is a certified Optician at Marshfield Medical Center in Minocqua, where she brings warmth, experience, and a whole lot of heart to her work. She lives in the charming tourist town of Lake Tomahawk, where life is a mix of scenic lake views, small-town charm—and a flock of 12 chickens who keep her busy collecting eggs and cracking smiles.
When Julie’s not helping patients look and see their best, you might find her cruising the local roads on her E-bike, soaking in the beauty of northern Wisconsin’s lakes and trails. She’s also a proud mom of two sons and the beaming grandmother of an 11-year-old grandson and a 3-year-old granddaughter—her pride, joy, and daily dose of sunshine.
Beyond her role in the clinic, Julie has selflessly served on the board of the Wisconsin Paraoptometric Association for many years, generously giving her time and talents to support and uplift the paraoptometric community across the state. Her dedication, both professionally and personally, makes her a true gem in the world of vision care.
Lori brings many years of heartfelt dedication to the optical industry. As the Office Manager at May Vision Center, she has contributed in countless meaningful ways and supported the clinic with care and expertise. Lori has served in every position on the Wisconsin Paraoptometric Association Board and contributed on a national level through the AOA Paraoptometric Section. Her passion for giving back shines through in her volunteer work, including her involvement in Special Olympics Opening Eyes events and her impactful VOSH missions, where she’s helped bring the gift of sight to those in need around the world.
Lori is especially passionate about mentoring newcomers to the profession, always eager to share her knowledge and lift others up.
At home, Lori and her husband are surrounded by love and laughter with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether she’s camping, fishing, crafting with her grandkids, or simply enjoying the outdoors, Lori finds joy in life’s simple, meaningful moments.
She truly loves the work she does and hopes to leave the profession just a little better than when she started.
Modesta has been rocking the optical world since 2004, when she became a certified Paraoptometric Technician. As an Optician at May Vision Center, she brings a smile to every patient interaction whether she’s helping someone pick out the perfect pair of frames or making sure they leave feeling confident and cared for. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Modesta connects with patients from all walks of life and always aims to deliver top-notch service with heart.
Outside the clinic, Modesta is deeply involved in the Wisconsin Paraoptometric Association, where she’s proudly served as both a Liaison and now as Treasurer. She loves helping plan the group’s annual conventions equal parts learning, networking, and fun! For Modesta, the best part is seeing people across the optical industry come together to share stories, swap tips, and inspire one another.
With her positive energy and passion for patient care, Modesta is a true gem in the world of eye care!
With over 40 years of hands-on experience in both retail optical and private practice, Lori brings a full circle perspective to everything she does. She’s a Certified Paraoptometric Technician and a customer service rockstar whose skills range from lens manufacturing to ocular specialty testing and yes, she’s got an eye for frame styling too!
Lori wears many hats as an office manager, but her favorite might just be the Vision Therapy program at North Shore Eye Health and Wellness, there’s nothing she loves more than seeing someone’s world change through better vision. She has volunteered with the Special Olympics Opening Eyes and has been involved with the Wisconsin Paraoptometric Association board for the last 5 years.
A lifelong learner with a zest for life, Lori recently enrolled at Lakeshore Technical College to pursue a focus in Human Resources. When she’s not at work or in class, you’ll find her enjoying art, music, and travel, soaking up time with family, and true to form walking on the sunny side of the street, always with a smile and a positive outlook.
Jeanette Howard has been bringing style, expertise, and sunshine to the optical world for over 30 years. An ABO certified optician and the proud recipient of the 2018 Wisconsin Paraoptometric of the Year award, Jeanette’s passion for eye care runs deep so deep, in fact, that two of her daughters have joined her in the industry!
Jeanette truly loves what she does and can’t imagine doing anything else... well, except maybe becoming a dolphin cruise captain because who wouldn’t want to spend their days on the water making people smile? (Let’s be real though she’d probably still be out there selling polarized sunglasses on the boat.)
Whether she’s helping patients see more clearly or mentoring the next generation of optical professionals, Jeanette’s energy, humor, and heart make her a true star in the world of vision care. She’ll be the first to tell you, “This is the best career in the world!”
Beth has been a bright light in the optical industry since 1981! With experience spanning both retail settings and private practice, she’s found her true calling in the clinical side of patient care where science meets service, and every day brings something new.
Over her 40+ year journey, Beth earned her ABO, NCLE, and CPOA certifications and built a career full of heart, hustle, and lifelong learning. What’s kept her going all these years?
The ever-evolving technology, Endless continuing education opportunities, and most importantly the people.
She thrives on patient interaction and building meaningful connections. Whether it’s the joy of a patient picking up their new glasses or the success of a once-struggling contact lens wearer, Beth is there, cheering them on with knowledge and compassion. She treasures the friendships she’s made both in and out of the exam lane and those bonds are what truly make her career so special.
When she’s off the clock, you’ll likely find Beth surrounded by her family (especially the grandkids!), enjoying time at the cottage, or cheering on her beloved Brewers and Packers. With her warm heart and endless energy, Beth proves every day that loving what you do makes all the difference.
With over eight years of hands-on experience in both retail optical and private optometry practice, Nicky is currently working toward her American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certification. Originally from England, she also has several years of customer service experience, which laid the foundation for her strong commitment to patient care.
She is passionate about the latest advancements in lens technology and optical products, with a growing interest in color therapy in vision care.
In 2017, she moved with her husband and three children to Chilliwack, British Columbia, before settling in Wisconsin three years ago, where they now call home.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. She has a love for photography—especially wildlife photography—which she had the opportunity to explore deeply while living in Canada.
Her personal mission is to continue learning, growing, and embracing life’s adventures with a smile and an open mind.
Brittany is a vibrant and dedicated Lead Patient Care Coordinator at North Shore Eye Health & Wellness, where she brings heart, hustle, and a hunger for knowledge to everything she does. A proud mom of three, Brittany made the leap from veterinary medicine into the ever-evolving world of optometry and hasn’t looked back since.
Though she’s been in the field for less than a year, Brittany has already made a major impact. Her genuine love for helping others, coupled with an insatiable curiosity, has propelled her into leadership and opened new doors for growth. She’s currently training as a technician, studying for her CPO certification, and even serves as a board member for the Wisconsin Paraoptometric Association (WPA), a remarkable achievement in such a short time.
One of Brittany’s greatest passions sparked when the clinic began offering NeuroVisual Medicine. Learning about the powerful connections between the eyes and the brain lit a fire in her that continues to grow stronger every day. She finds deep joy in being part of patients’ journeys from the very first phone call to their life-changing success stories.
Around the clinic, Brittany is affectionately known for her notebooks full of meticulously organized notes and insights so much so, her team jokes that someone could learn optometry just by reading them! She sees beauty in science, excitement in technology, and meaning in every patient interaction.
What started as a nervous step into a new field has blossomed into a career full of confidence, purpose, and endless possibilities. And for Brittany, this is only the beginning.
Reach out to us if you are interested in joining our board! Opportunity to make a difference in the future of our organization await!