Ellen P. Crothers, O.D.
Dr. Ellen Pearman, O.D. received a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998. After that, Ellen attended the University of Houston College of Optometry where she achieved a Doctor of Optometry degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2002. While attending the University of Houston, she was inducted into the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society. Dr. Crothers completed an internship at the Montrose Clinic in Houston, where she gained valuable experience working with patients suffering from HIV and AIDS. Upon graduation, she worked as a relief doctor in the Austin area for 3 years before deciding to open her own private optometric practice. Dr. Crothers sees patients of all ages, and she provides all general eye care services. She enjoys fitting specialty contact lenses, especially for myopia control in her pediatric patients. In her free time, she is busy chasing after her 2 sons.
Michaela T. Novak, O.D.
Dr. Michaela Novak, O.D. graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Notre Dame. She then continued her education at the Illinois College of Optometry graduating magna cum laude with her Doctorate of Optometry in 2008. Dr. Novak’s training includes internships in primary care, ocular disease, contact lenses, and pediatrics. Dr. Novak is passionate about educating her patients and has special interests in myopia control and the management of dry eye disease. When not seeing patients, she enjoys hiking, running, and exploring the outdoors with her husband and twin sons.
Lucy Ton, O.D.
Dr. Lucy Ton obtained her Bachelors of Science and Arts in Biology at The University of Texas at Austin. She then pursued a Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry.
Dr. Ton’s training includes The University Eye Institute at their Ambulatory Surgery Center and Dry Eye Ocular Surface institute. In addition, she completed rotations at a private practice in Austin, TX and a community eye clinic in Fort Worth, TX. Her training focused on surgical co-management, dry eyes, ocular disease, and primary care.
In her leisure time, Dr. Ton enjoys exploring different culinary experiences, playing pickleball, exercising, and traveling with her friends and family.
Frank Crothers Jr. A.B.O.C
General Manager
Frank Crothers, Jr. has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Texas A&M University in Central Texas. He is certified as an optician by the American Board of Opticianry since 1998. Frank has worked in every position in the modern optometric office, including: optician, lab technician, lab manager, and office manager. He enjoys cooking, following the stock market, football, kayaking, mountain biking, playing with his two boys Kwan and Knox. He has been with Arbor Eye Center since May of 2005.
Preston Kim, A.B.O.C
Lab Manager
Preston Minho Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to Texas in 1989. He has three older sisters and a room-full of nephews and nieces. He graduated from Copperas Cove High School and attended Central Texas College and Texas State University. He is fluent in Korean and certified as an optician by the American Board of Opticianry. Preston enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and anything outdoors. He is a HUGE Texas Longhorns sports fan. He’s been with Arbor Eye Center since April of 2007.
Michelle Swanson, A.B.O.C
Office Manager
Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Science and Merchandise from the University of Houston and is fluent in Spanish. She has worked in the high-end fashion industry with stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Anne Fontaine. Michelle was also a member of upper management with Avon and Toni&Guy. Prior to obtaining her degree, she worked as an optician for nine years in Houston. Michelle enjoys exploring Austin, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Michelle has been certified by the American Board of Opticianry since 2018 and with Arbor Eye Center since May 2015.
Kelly McKay
Optician
Kelly is originally from Austin, Texas but lived in Lubbock for four years before graduating from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. When she’s not working, Kelly likes to foster cats and kittens in need and hang out with her parents, three siblings, and her cat named Winston. Kelly has been with Arbor since January of 2021.
Carson Yarborough
Optician
Carson is an Austin native and has lived here her whole life. She has two dogs, Katarina and Kenzo. When she is not at work she enjoys working out, hiking, and most things outdoors. She’s worked at Arbor since April 2022.
Vuong Nguyen
Technician
Vuong is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston. He relocated to Austin 8 years ago and owns a small ice cream shop on Lake Travis. He is passionate about professional sports including football, basketball, baseball and motor sports. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time wife his wife, family and friends, hanging by the pool, and playing video games. He has been with Arbor Eye Center since March of 2023.
