OOPA Leadership

Emilee Nehring, OD - President

Woodburn, Oregon

Dr. Emilee Nehring received her Doctorate of Optometry from MCPHS University, College of Optometry in 2017. Dr. Emilee will be specializing in pediatric care, however she has completed training in post and pre operative care of refractive surgery and cataract surgery, ocular disease and contact lenses.

Dr. Nehring grew up in Woodburn, Oregon. She graduated from Canby High School in 2007, and then went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Pre Med from Oregon Institute of Technology, where she was a collegiate long jumper.

Dr. Nehring has traveled to Bolivia, Nicaragua and Mexico on vision mission trips and is continually improving her Spanish speaking skills.

Dr. Nehring currently serves on the board for the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH). She is also a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA).

Shaina Sullivan, OD - President-Elect

Bandon, Oregon

Beginning as Dr. McBride’s assistant, Shaina’s kindness, intelligence and easy-going nature have always been appreciated by our patients. Shaina grew up in Tigard and graduated from Tualatin High School. Like Dr. McBride, she went to Oregon State University and later Pacific University where she earned her doctorate.

Dr. Sullivan enjoys bowling, camping and supporting the Trail Blazers, Timbers and Thorns. In September 2019, Dr. Sullivan and her husband welcomed their first child, John Joseph.

Craig Bowen, OD - Past-President

Tualatin, Oregon

Dr. Bowen earned his Bachelor of Science from Alma College in Alma, Michigan. He attended Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon where he earned his doctorate.

Dr. Bowen is a past board member of the Oregon Optometric Physician Association and currently serves as its president. He has earned numerous awards and recognitions including Rotary Club's Service Above Self in 2018, Amigos Doctor of the Year in 2018 and the Oregon Optometrist of the Year in 2019. He received specialty training in the management of myopia and is certified to use treatments which can slow the rate of nearsightedness/myopia in children. Dr. Bowen also has a particular interest in the treatment and management of dry eye and macular degeneration.

In his free time, he enjoys exercising, gourmet cooking and grilling, spending time with friends, and he studies French every day. Dr. Bowen resides nearby the practice with his Shetland Sheepdog, Taza.

Yelena Galuza, OD - Secretary/Treasurer

Woodburn, Oregon

Dr. Yelena Galuza received her Doctorate of Optometry from Pacific University in 2015. She completed training in refractive surgery, pediatrics, and ocular disease.

Dr. Galuza emigrated from Ukraine when she was 6 years old. Her family settled in south east Portland. She graduated from David Douglas High School in 2007, and then went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Bio-chemistry from the University of Portland. She speaks fluent Russian, Ukrainian, and some Spanish.

Dr. Galuza is a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA), and Portland Metropolitan Optometric Society (PMOS).

Ashley McFerron, O.D.- Senior Past President

Canby, Oregon

Dr. Ashley McFerron, OD is an optometrist, business leader, and advocate for the profession of optometry. A graduate of Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry, she spent more than 15 years serving patients and leading a thriving practice in Canby, Oregon. Dr. McFerron has held numerous leadership roles at the state and national levels, including President of the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association, and has served on committees and boards for the American Optometric Association, Great Western Council of Optometry, and the Canby Area Chamber of Commerce. She is passionate about advocacy, mentorship, and advancing the future of eye care.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Ashley enjoys golf, fitness, and spending time with her husband, Leonard, and their son, cheering him on from the sidelines as he plays basketball.

Mila Ioussifova, O.D.- Senior Director

Portland, Oregon

It is my privilege to be your eye care provider at South Waterfront Eye Care. My goal is to take care of your eye care needs today, but also help you keep good vision and healthy eyes for life.

I am a strong proponent of preventative care and believe that nutrition and a natural lifestyle can help you be healthy and happy for life. I received my Doctor of Optometry degree in 2007 from New England College of Optometry and completed a community health-based residency program in Boston, MA. My training was extensive and diverse, including pediatric, geriatric, and primary care optometry, as well as contact lens and ocular disease management.

In 2009, I returned to Portland and re-discovered how lovely and one of a kind it is. Portlandians appreciate individuality and uniqueness. At South Waterfront Eye Care, I want my patients to feel the personal service from the moment they walk in.

While practicing optometry for the past 6 years, I have developed a special interest in ocular nutrition. Preventative care has become an important part of my practice.

As a current adjunct clinical faculty at Pacific University College of Optometry, I have the honor of working with optometric interns. I am involved in clinical education, didactics, and training of future optometrists.

I am originally from Azerbaijan; I speak Azerbaijani and Russian. Мы говорим по-русский!

Erin Dalton, OD - Director

Portland, Oregon

Dr. Dalton is originally from Rhode Island and received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York, College of Optometry in 2005. Dr. Dalton then moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where she completed a residency program in Primary Care Optometry and Low Vision Optometry. She spent the next few years treating patients in a bustling group practice in the New Haven area and also worked as a Clinical Instructor for Yale University. Dr. Dalton relocated to Oregon in the fall of 2010.

Dr. Dalton enjoys working with patients of all ages. Her attentive and friendly manner puts people at ease. Patients appreciate her attention to detail and her lively personality. In her spare time, Dr. Dalton enjoys hiking, biking and skiing, and recreating New Haven pizzas in her oven at home.

Morgan Grove - OOPA Director

Coquille, Oregon

Dr. Morgan Grove graduated with distinction from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2016. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Oregon in 2012. She is an active member of the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association, having served on the Young OD Membership Committee, the Advocacy Committee as Legislative Co-Chair, and is currently an at-large board member. Dr. Grove grew up in Myrtle Point and returned to the south coast to practice after finishing school. She currently sees patients at the Eye Center of Gold Beach

She resides in Gold Beach, where she is a member of Rotary and a board member for the Curry Public Library Foundation. She enjoys yoga, reading, and hiking. She lives with her husband, Nick, and daughter, Talula, as well as their two cats and one dog. Together, they enjoy being outdoors, traveling, cooking, and music

William Hefner, O.D. - Executive Director

Forest Grove, Oregon

Dr. Hefner is a Professor of Optometry and Associate Dean of Clinical Programs. A native Kansan, Dr. Hefner spent 20 years in private practice in Topeka, KS specializing in pediatrics and family practice optometry before re-joining the faculty at Pacific University College of Optometry in 2017. Additionally, he continues to serve in the United States Air Force as the Medical Group Commander for the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka, KS.

In his 20 years of service, Dr. Hefner has provided humanitarian health care in El Salvador, Armenia and Trindad and Tobago.

Dr. Hefner is a past president of the Kansas Optometric Association, Heart of America Contact Lens Society, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He is also the recipient of numerous awards including the 2016 Armed Forces Optometrist of the Year for the Reserve Forces, the 2006 Air National Guard Optometrist of the Year, the 2002 Kansas Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year and the 2001 Kansas Optometric Association’s Vision Service Award. Dr. Hefner and his wife Dawn live in Forest Grove, OR with their three children.

Lynne Geier-Olson - Director of Operations

Milwaukie, Oregon

Lynne Geier-Olson was born in Tacoma Washington and grew up in Gladstone Oregon where she attended all 12 years of primary education. She then attended Clackamas Community College studying business administration courses.

She has been employed by the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association [OOPA] since November 1995, starting as Administrative Assistant, advancing to Executive Assistant and is now their Director of Operations. Her primary responsibilities are overseeing operations, consulting, and full charge bookkeeping for OOPA. Lynne also manages the bookkeeping for Oregon Optometric Public Affairs Council [OOPAC] and the Oregon Foundation for Vision Awareness [OFVA]. In addition, she is the property manager for the OOPA Milwaukie facility.

Lynne also owns her own bookkeeping business where she is a small business bookkeeper for several clients. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, wine tasting, antique shopping, entertaining and visiting with family and friends. She is married to Darrel Olson and they have two children, Erin Hoskins and Eric Olson and grandson Kye Hoskins. Now that she has transferred to part time employment, she is looking forward to traveling and getting a dog.

Vanessa Rush - Membership and Outreach Coordinator

Milwaukie, Oregon

Vanessa Rush joined OOPA staff in October of 2023. She brings a diverse background and abundant energy to her position. She began her career in music education, teaching middle and high school choirs in Seaside, Oregon.

She then transitioned into real estate, thriving in the industry for the past five years. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, crafting with her 7-year-old, singing in her community choir, and exploring Portland's finest ramen spots.