Our Team

Our exceptional, friendly staff is our greatest asset. They are excited about what they do and they care personally about getting the best results for our patients.

Our receptionists will try to accommodate your busy schedule by finding appointments that suit your needs.

Patient Representatives

Ali, Melissa, Lori, and Taylor

Lori Temp is a people person and a greeter extraordinaire! She enjoys her daily interactions with people at the clinic in many different capacities throughout the day. She was a teacher and Children’s Ministry Director before joining our staff. Outside of work, Lori is a wife, mother, and grandma to four beautiful grandchildren.

Taylor LaFave has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has worked in the optical field for two years. What she enjoys about her job is the people! She says both her co-workers and the patients are amazing and kind. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys using and sharing Young Living products and hanging out with her dog Titan.

Melissa has worked as a patient representative in the medical field for many years, though this is her first job in the optical business. She enjoys meeting and greeting patients and contributing to team by making sure patients are checked in efficiently. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, shopping and music, and she loves spending time with her daughter.

Ali Nila is working in the optical field for the first time in our clinic. Prior to this job, she worked as a therapist. She enjoys getting to know new people each day. Outside of work, Ali enjoys kayaking and exploring Minnesota’s lakes. She also speaks Spanish.

Billing Specialist

Tina

Tina John has been working in the optical field for 19 years. She is currently our billing specialist, but also serves as an optometric assistant, patient representative, and optician when needed. She loves helping people and the challenge of tracking claims as a billing specialist. Tina has also recently completed her Nutritional Therapy Practitioner certification.

Opticians

Alena, Kimberly, Eugene, Kate, and Jim

Alena Baranova has been working in the optical world for 14 years. She is an ABO certified optician and also works as an optometric assistant. What she loves about her job is “putting a smile on a kid’s face!” She enjoys helping all patients, but when a child has eyes wide open and says, “Mom, I can see!” that makes Alena’s day. Kimberly Banker has been an optician for over 20 years. She is an ABO certified optician, and what she loves most about her job are the patients and her co-workers. A fun fact about Kimberly is that her favorite color is pink, maybe you can tell that from her picture! Eugene Kharam is Crystal Vision Clinic’s optical manager. He is an ABO certified optician who has been working in the optical world for 16 years. He has also had a career as a teacher and vice principal. When asked what he loves about his job, Eugene said, “Everything!” In particular, he enjoys the combination of technical skills and fashion the job requires. Kate Kantowski has been an optician for 12 years. She is an ABO certified optician who is passionate about helping people see. She especially likes helping children find their first pair of glasses; the look on their faces when they see the world clearly for the first time is priceless. Jim Lundstrom has worked in optical for 33 years and is a certified ABO optician. He enjoys helping people find the right frame, especially when it’s something they may not have tried themselves. He loves to ride his bike and play golf, but preferably not at the same time!

Optometric Assistants

Mohammad, Lisa, Tim, and Jessica

Tim Yang is a recent graduate from Bemidji State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and has a goal of becoming an optometrist. He is trained as both an optician and optometric assistant. He enjoys meeting patients and assisting them to better their ocular health and knowledge. Jessica Norris Jessica Norris has worked in the optical field for four years. Jessica keeps our Optometric Assistant department running smoothly. Patients and staff love her warm smile and bubbly, enthusiastic personality. She is dedicated to her patients and is a great support to co-workers and the doctors. Her favorite part of her job is making patients feel welcomed and trusted. When she's not busy with her 2 boys, she enjoys wakeboaring, knee-boarding, tubing, and cooking/baking. Lisa Frick has worked in the optical field for one year. She works as an optometric assistant and helps out in the optical department too. She loves interacting with patients. During her free time, Lisa enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to movies, playing video games, reading books and having game nights with friends. Mohammad is a recent graduate from the University of Minnesota. He plans to attend dental school in the fall of 2019. He enjoys meeting patients and providing patient care. He loves to be outdoors and enjoys hanging out with friends and family.

Clinic Administrator

Rita

Rita Endres has been working at Crystal Vision Clinic for two years. She formerly had a 30-year career as an English teacher, instructional coach, and staff development facilitator. In her new role at Crystal Vision Clinic, she enjoys meeting the many wonderful patients and working with an excellent team of professionals.

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