Meet the Doctors

Dr. Weber graduated with honors from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2009. She has lived and practiced in Fort Wayne for the past 13 years. She enjoys taking care of patients of all ages and really enjoys building relationships with patients. She is a member of the Indiana Optometric Association and is serving as Treasurer of the local Northeast Indiana Optometric Society. She has extensive experience in treating and managing ocular disease as well as treating routine eye conditions. Dr. Weber has a special interest in Myopia Control, Glaucoma, Dry eye disease and surgical co-management. She has worked in private practice optometry and also has worked in a Glaucoma and Cataract specialty office.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and staying active.

Dr. Megan Schlipf, a born and raised Hoosier, received her Doctor of Optometry Degree from Indiana University where she completed external internships focusing on dry eye disease, ocular disease, pre-operative and post-operative care, and primary care. She was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa, an optometric honor society, member of the pediatric optometry club, and worked in an optometric research lab. She was also an associate instructor of Geometric and Visual Optics and Ocular Motility classes. Dr. Schlipf graduated from Purdue University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pre-Professional Health Sciences with a Pre-Optometry concentration and a Statistics minor. She is from Kouts, Indiana where she graduated Valedictorian from Kouts High School in 2015. Dr. Schlipf married her husband, Kevin, in 2018. In her free time, Dr. Schlipf enjoys gardening, being with family, and spending time on the lakes. She also enjoys playing sports of many varieties, most recently spikeball and disc golf.

Dr. Kaufman is an Optometrist in Syracuse providing complete eye care services for the surrounding communities. Dr. Kaufman graduated from Goshen College in 1983 and from Indiana University's School of Optometry in 1986. He has been in practice for more than 25 years.Dr. Kaufman has passed the treatment and management of ocular disease exam and is licensed to treat ocular disease; however, he specializes in contact lenses, specifically hard-to-fit contact lenses. In fact, he is certified to prescribe the SynergEyes'™ hybrid contact lenses, as well as CRT (corneal refractive therapy-a type of orthokeratology) lenses. Outside of the office, Dr. Kaufman enjoys biking and drumming. In addition to caring for everyday patients and families, Dr. Kaufman has been to Haiti several times to provide eye care to those in need. He also works with local low-income clinics for more than 10 years, where he offers top-quality eye care services to correct vision problems.

Dr. Darren Minnich has been in private practice since 1996. He received his Doctorate of Optometry from The Ohio State University College. Preceding that, Dr. Minnich attended Anderson University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology & Business Administration. He received his certification from the National Board of Examiners for the Treatment & Management of Ocular Disease in 1996. Dr. Minnich established Nappanee Family Eyecare in 1999 as a result of buying Dr. Tom Tarman’s (Wakarusa) and Dr. Russell Bolyard’s (Nappanee) Optometry offices and merging them with a new beginning. Dr. Minnich states “I was privileged to have the opportunity to take over two well-esteemed doctors in their respective communities. I often think about Dr. Tarman and Dr. Bolyard and believe they would be astonished to see where education & technology has advanced optometry and proud of how we provide the many services in our office.”

Dr. Minnich is a 29-year member of the American Optometric Association and a 26-year member of the Indiana Optometric Association. He served in every officer position & President for Indiana Optometric Association and the North Central Optometric Society. Dr. Minnich is only the third president from Elkhart County in the 124-year history of the IOA. In addition, he has served as President of the board for the Nappanee Boys & Girls Club and has served on the Board of Trustees for The Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County. He is a member of Rotary International and has served as chairman of community service for the Nappanee club. Dr. Minnich has been on mission trips to Haiti, Indian reservations in Arizona with Cross Eye Missions, and to Mexico several times with Global Impact teams from Nappanee Missionary Church. He has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 30 years and they have three adult children. Tyler is completing his training in Optometry, Drew is a Chemistry & Physics HS Teacher & Coach, and Alea is pursuing a masters degree in Social Work. He has enjoyed most sports and loves being at the lake with family & friends.

Dr. Jillian Geiger is a graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry, where she received her Doctorate of Optometry. While at IU, she was a member and president of Beta Sigma Kappa, an optometric honor society, an associate instructor for the Geometric and Ophthalmic Optics courses, as well as a chairperson for the philanthropic group Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity. She completed four external internships, specializing in ocular disease, pediatric care, contact lenses, low vision, and primary care. Dr. Geiger is also a 2009 Cum Laude graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. She graduated as Valedictorian of Central Noble High School in Albion, In. Dr. Geiger married her husband, Casey, in 2010. Together with their children Wilson, Mickey, Maris and Junah & Golden Retriever, Yogi, they love being back in Northern Indiana. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Dr. Camp is a 1978 graduate of Indiana School of Optometry. He spend his first year practicing optometry in Muncie, Indiana and then purchased the optometric practice of Dr. Geoffrey LeGrande in North Manchester in 1980. In 1987 he purchased the practice of Dr. Roger Sawyer and merged the two practices. He has surrounded himself with a talented and caring staff throughout the years and built his practice on the principles of honesty, trust and genuinely caring for his patients. Dr. Camp has also served the spiritual and visual needs of the people of Honduras on 20 trips to Central America. Dr. Camp has been married to his wife, Terri, for 38 years and they have two wonderful sons, Ryan and Steven.

Dr. Jonathan VanGessel graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry in 2019. While in school, he served as president of the Indiana University Optometry Student Association, and was a member of the Gold Key optometric leadership and service honor society, the Beta Sigma Kappa academic optometric honor society, and Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity. He had four external rotations specializing in primary care, ocular disease, dry eye, and post-op cataract surgical care while training at the Quantico Naval Health Clinic, the Hershel “Woody” Williams VA Medical Center, Eye Surgeons of Indiana, and the Indianapolis Eyecare Center. He then spent 3 years at a general ophthalmology and surgery center before returning to private practice. Originally from Avilla, IN, Dr. VanGessel enjoys soccer, ice hockey, golf, and spending time with his wife Grace.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Haylee Bourlier to our Manchester Eyecare! Originally from Southwest Michigan, she moved to this area to complete her ocular disease residency at the Northern Indiana Health Care System (VA). She graduated from Ferris State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Vision Science, she went on to earn high honors at the Michigan College of Optometry, graduating class 2022. Dr. Bourlier states she greatly enjoyed her experience at the Fort Wayne VA Hospital and is excited to expand her expertise the following her year working with the veterans. She and her husband, Cameron reside in the Fort Wayne area.

Dr. Heidi Park is a new addition to our team of doctors. She loves getting to know her patients while providing comprehensive eye care to the whole family. Dr. Park enjoys the variety of primary care Optometry, ranging from the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases to fitting specialty contact lenses and finding personalized solutions to all her patients’ vision needs.

Dr. Park was born and raised in Shelby Township, Michigan. After finishing her undergraduate degree at Ferris State University, she attended the Michigan College of Optometry and received her Doctor of Optometry in 2006. She is a current member of the Indiana Optometric Association as well as the American Optometric Association. Dr. Park is an active member of Tri Kappa, a women’s philanthropic organization dedicated to serving the community by providing funds for scholarships and local non-profit organizations. She has been married to her husband, Kyle, for 20 years and they have three children. Outside of work, Dr. Park enjoys all things sports, DIY wood and craft projects, and discussing the latest read with friends at book club.

Dr. Bangert started serving the Fort Wayne community over 40 years ago. After graduating from Indiana University School of Optometry Doctor Bangert opened his practice dedicated to providing excellent patient vision care.