– Centers for Disease Control
Meet Our Doctors
Our talented team of highly trained doctors are absolutely committed to providing the highest standard of eyecare available. From protecting the health of your eyes, to ensuring the best vision possible, the doctors at Shawnee Optical will deliver the care you and your eyes deserve.
Dr. John Fischer
About Dr. Fischer
Dr. John Fischer completed his undergraduate schooling at Gannon University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He furthered his education by obtaining a Doctorate of Optometry degree from University of California Berkeley. He has been practicing optometry since 2017 and has been with Shawnee Optical since day one.
Dr. Fischer became an optometrist because of his interest in health care and sciences along with his own positive experience growing up with contacts/glasses. Today, he enjoys evaluating and discussing eye health with his patients and improving their prescription for glasses/contacts. Outside of the office, Dr Fischer enjoys spending time with family, running, and the outdoors.
Dr. Chelsea Locy-Fowler
About Dr. Locy-Fowler
Dr. Chelsea Locy-Fowler completed her pre-requisites for Optometry school at Hiram College, where she majored in biology and minored in chemistry; she then continued her education by obtaining a Doctorate of Optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry.
She has been practicing Optometry since 2016 and been with Shawnee since the beginning. Dr. Locy has found the eyes to be interesting since childhood and knew very early on that she wanted to be an optometrist. Also, she enjoys interacting and learning from her patients. She was very excited to find a position in her home town and give back to the community she grew up in.
Dr. Kenneth Gortz
About Dr. Gortz
Dr. Kenneth Gortz graduated from the College of Optometry at The Ohio State University in 1968 as president of his class. “I was very fortunate to have a post graduate education, serving my country as a naval officer at the Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland, and the Naval Hospital, St. Albans, New York.” Before and after his tour of duty, Dr. Gortz was a part-time clinical instructor at the OSU College of Optometry while working a short time in a private practice in Shelby, Ohio. He went on to work in a private practice for over forty years in Bucyrus, Ohio.
Dr. Gortz recalls the excitement of walking out of his optometrist's office at 8 years of age with his first pair of glasses. “I could literally see leaves on the trees across the street. I decided right then that I wanted to be an optometrist.”
Dr. Gortz is a lifetime member of the American Optometric Association, and the Ohio Optometric Association. During his eight years on the Board of the Ohio Optometric Association, he served as president from 1982-1983. In 1984, he was selected as the Ohio Optometrist of the year.
Dr. Gortz started practicing at Shawnee Optical in Ontario, Ohio in September of 2019. “I have enjoyed working with a great staff and serving our patients. I look forward to each day I get to go into the office.”
When he is not in the office, Dr. Gortz enjoys spending time with his wife, Joyce, and their blended family of four children, their spouses, seven grandchildren, and two dogs.
Dr. Jessie Landa
About Dr. Landa
A graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Dr. Landa has over a decade of experience and specializes in glaucoma, pediatrics and contact lenses. She received her first pair of glasses at age 7 and the experience of seeing well for the first time set her on the path to help others.
Dr. Scott Penny
About Dr. Penny
Dr. Scott Penny graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He was awarded the Bausch and Lomb Outstanding Achievement Award "in recognition of his ability and effort in the pursuit and application of knowledge in the contact lens field while a senior at the Ohio State College of Optometry". Dr. Penny also graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in biology from Wright State University.
Dr. Penny has been a member of the American Optometric Association for more than forty years.
Dr. James Piersol
About Dr. Piersol
Dr Piersol earned a bachelor of science degree in Biology with a vertebrate physiology option at Penn St University. He furthered his education earning a Doctorate of Optometry degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia. He has been practicing Optometry since 1992. Dr Piersol became an optometrist because he felt the sense of vision was the most important sense humans possess.
Dr. Timothy Reineck
About Dr. Reineck
Dr. Reineck is a Buckeye born and bred. He grew up in Fremont, Ohio and received both his undergraduate and optometry degrees from The Ohio State University in Columbus. Dr. Reineck had a great interest in math, physics and biology in school and finds the profession of optometry to be a perfect blend of all three disciplines.
He enjoys the immediate positive feedback he receives when improving a patient’s vision, especially when fitting a teenager with contact lenses for the first time. Dr. Reineck and his wife, Vicki, have lived in Findlay, Ohio since 1989. They have one daughter who is a clinical nursing instructor at Ohio State and resides in Dublin. Dr. Reineck and his wife are active in their church and community and enjoy musical theater, tribute bands and Ohio State sports.
Dr. Tyler Speelman
About Dr. Speelman
Dr. Tyler Speelman grew up in Maria Stein, Ohio. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He is committed to providing quality eyecare in all areas of optometry for all ages. He is also supportive of the optometric community as a member of the American and Ohio Optometric Associations. He enjoys being a continuing education instructor.
Dr. Omar Sweidan
About Dr. Sweidan
Dr. Omar Sweidan has been practicing optometry for almost a decade. A graduate of the University of Toledo, Dr. Sweiden went on to receive his doctorate at Ohio State University. He became an optometrist because he wanted to pursue a health profession that balanced patient interaction with improving patients' lives. His favorite part of the profession is hearing the stories and life experiences of his patients!
Dr. Paul Wilken
About Dr. Wilken
Dr. Paul Wilkin pursued his undergraduate degree in Biophysics at The Ohio State University in 1973. He then completed his graduate degree at The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1977.
At 11 years of age, Dr. Wilken knew that he wanted to help others with their vision. “It is all I ever considered doing,” he said. Over his 40+ years of practice, it’s been his mission to consistently meet the needs and conscientiously exceed the expectations of all who entrust him with their eye care.
Dr. Wilken participates in the InfantSee program where he examines children from ages 6 months to 1 year old at no charge. He is also an active member of the American Optometric Association and has received the Continuing Optometric Recognition Award for the past 27 years.
In his spare time, Dr. Wilkins works on restoring his Victorian home, attends Ohio State activities and spends time with his wife, Lin, their 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
Dr. Elizabeth Hardin
About Dr. Hardin
Elizabeth Hardin, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry from The Ohio State University in 1999 and completed her undergraduate studies at Xavier University. Upon graduating from Xavier University, she was employed as an optician. Dr. Hardin has been practicing optometry since 1999, and her fields of special interest include comprehensive eye care, treatment of eye disease, and contact lens fitting.
Dr. Hardin’s experience as an optician and her strong desire to help patients achieve their best vision became the driving forces behind her decision to become an optometrist. She enjoys building strong relationships with her patients to better treat their specific visual needs.
Dr. Hardin and her husband reside in Carlisle and, in her time away from the office, she enjoys traveling and volunteering in her community.
Dr. Sarah Brook
About Dr. Brook
Dr. Brook is originally from Jefferson, Ohio, and became an Optometrist to give back to her local community. She cherishes the connections she makes with her patients and works to positively impact their lives. She enjoys that the field of Optometry is ever-changing with new and innovative information constantly being uncovered. The advances in technology and ideas allow her to better service her patients. She is passionate about helping all of her patients improve their eye health but has a special interest in improving the vision of patients with dry eye.
Brittany Nault, O.D.
About Dr. Nault
Dr. Nault always enjoyed visiting the optometrist as a child and wants to create that atmosphere for her patients. She says her favorite part of the job is getting to know each patient and developing an individualized plan for their needs.
When Dr. Nault isn’t caring for patients, she enjoys spending her time outdoors, playing the flute, and fostering rescue animals.