General Practitioners

• Medical Weight Loss
  Several things should jump out at you during your first few weeks at Midwest Eye Care.  First, you’ll notice that most of the managers have been at MEC, and all but one have been promoted from within to their current position.  Because of this, your manager knows the ropes, and they make decisions that are in the best long-term interest of you and MEC.  Second, computers are everywhere; we’ve utilized electronic medical records since 1995, and 98% of the patients we see in the metro area don’t have any type of paper chart.  If you whiz around on the computer, that will make your job that much easier.  Finally, we like to have fun.  Whether it’s through practical jokes, weight loss competitions or just creative ways to teach employees about customer service, we think it’s important to keep the workplace positive.
• Primary Care
  After completing optometry school, Dr. Willis spent an additional year completing a residency in ocular disease and primary care at the Fayetteville Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Willis made five international service trips as part of the Student Volunteer in Optometric Service to Humanity organization, most recently in Colombia as a staff doctor with a group of 12 students in May 2012. He was the national secretary for the American Optometric Student Association, and was an active member of the local Lions Club for the last 5 years in Memphis and Fayetteville. He also served as a student ambassador, tutor, and teaching assistant while in optometry school. He is an active participant in his local church community and provides volunteer services for the Nebraska Optometric Association as a “See to Learn†provider. As part of this program, he has also provided vision screenings for local Head Start children in Plattsmouth, NE. Dr. Willis is licensed for the practice of optometry by the state examining boards of Iowa and Nebraska. He is a member of the Nebraska Optometric Association, American Optometric Association and American Academy of Optometry.
• Emergency Care
  Use your best judgment on urgency – find the nearest emergency room or review our emergency page for tips.

Ophthalmologists

• Glaucoma
  Dr. Samuelson is a comprehensive board certified ophthalmologist, performing eye exams, prescribing glasses and contact lenses and treating eye diseases including glaucoma, corneal and diabetic eye disease.
• Ophthalmology
  Dr. Feilmeier obtained his undergraduate degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University. He went on to obtain his medical degree and graduated with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. Dr. Feilmeier was then selected for residency training in Ophthalmology at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has been ranked the #1 eye hospital and residency training program in the country for the last 9 consecutive years by US News and World Report Magazine. Dr. Feilmeier then went on to complete an additional year of surgical fellowship training in corneal transplant and refractive surgery as well as the prevention of global blindness at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
• Macular Degeneration
  The layers of the retina are exceptionally thin, and are often compared to the delicate nature of cellophane paper. Thousands of blood vessels and nerves are inside the retina, and unfortunately, the blood vessels and nerves are susceptible to damage from common conditions such as diabetes and age-related macular degeneration. Because of the delicate nature of the retina and its vital importance in good vision, it’s imperative that patients have access to retinal specialists when they have serious retinal conditions.
• Laser Eye Surgery
  As a leader in the development of the excimer laser and LASIK surgery, our practice is committed to providing patients with reasonable, conservative opinions on LASIK and other refractive surgeries. Each year we advise over 40% of interested patients that they would be poor candidates for LASIK. Because Midwest Eye Care intends to treat a patient’s eye care needs over a lifetime, whatever the specialty, we are uniquely oriented towards the patient’s long-term eye health.
• Cataracts
  If you meet these qualifications, please print the application packet below, or contact Midwest Eye Care at 402-552-2020 by September 2, 2022, to request an application packet via mail. Completed application packets must be received by Midwest Eye Care by Friday, September 9, 2022, to be considered for free surgery. Up to 25 free surgeries will be performed by Midwest Eye Care in 2022 through the Mission Cataract program.
• Cataract Surgery
  Are you or a loved one in need of cataract surgery but cannot afford to pay for it? If so, you may qualify for free cataract surgery from Midwest Eye Care as part of Mission Cataract.
• Eye Exam
  It starts with a thorough eye exam to ensure the most up-to-date prescription and rule out any  pre-existing conditions that could interfere with contact lens wear.

Gynecologists

• Female Infertility

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  A native of Nebraska, Dr. Ripa earned her undergraduate and medical degree from St. Louis University in Missouri. Dr. Ripa completed a one-year internship in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis and a three-year residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.  She completed her formal medical training with a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City.

Psychiatrists

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  Presentations: Advocacy in Ophthalmology.  Appenzeller MF. Resident Presentations, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Annually 2012-2013. Update on FEVR: Retina Case Conference. Appenzeller MF. Grand Rounds, Dept of Ophthalmology at University of Cincinnati, February 6, 2008 Peripapillary Choroidal Neovascular Membranes: Diseases and treatment outcome retrospective case series.  Appenzeller, MF. Department of Ophthalmology Research Symposium, University of Cincinnati. May 10, 2008 Ocular Syphilis in the HIV Patient.  Appenzeller MF. Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology at University of Cincinnati, October, 2007 Ocular Toxicities of Systemic Chemotherapy: A Review.  Appenzeller, MF. Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology at University of Cincinnati. October 28, 2006 Legislative goals of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.  Appenzeller, MF. Presentation to Department of Ophthalmology at University of Cincinnati April 26, 2006. Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy: A Review of What We Know Thus Far.  Appenzeller, MF. Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology at University of Cincinnati. April 26, 2006 Does a Longer Eye Predict a Poorer Visual Outcome From Unilateral Cataract Surgery?  Facciani JM, Trivedi RH, Appenzeller MF, Wilson ME. Poster Presentation at 30th Annual Meeting of American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Washington, DC March 27-31-2004 Outcomes of Adolescents Diagnosed with ADD or ADHD after treatment at MUSU Adolescent Clinic.  Appenzeller MF, Key J. Presentation at 2001 MUSU Student Research Day, Charleston, SC November 2001.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Endocrinology
  Academic Appointments: Visiting Lecturer – Elon University School of Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Program, 2012-2015 Clinical Instructor – University of Cincinnati, 2004-2010 Teaching Assistant – Medical University of South Carolina, 2001 NIH Summer Research Fellow – Medical University of South Carolina, 2001 Secondary Education Teacher – East Baton Rouge Parish, Teach for America Volunteer Corps, 1998-2000 Research Assistant – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of OB/GYN, Div Reproductive Endocrinology, 1993-1997
• Diabetic Retinopathy
  Publications: “Apremilast use in a case of cicatricial ectropion secondary to severe lamellar ichthyosis.†2017, Himebaugh JT, MD; Nguyen J, et al. Journal of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – submitted for publication Presentations: “Normative data for the RETeval ERG.†Himebaugh JT, MD; Leys M, MD; Odom J, PhD. Presented at WVU Eye Institute Research Day 2017. “ISCEV Protocol Evaluation Using RETeval ERG.†Himebaugh JT, MD; Leys M, MD; Odom J, PhD. Presented at WVU Eye Institute Research Day 2016; WVU Research Day 2016. “Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy Using Primary Care Fundus Photography.†Himebaugh JT, MD; Bardes AG, MD; Gross RL, MD. Presented at WVU Eye Institute Research Day; WVU Research Day 2015. Dallas Glaucoma Registry. Karanjit Kooner, MD – UT Southwestern, Ophthalmology, 2010

Radiologist

• Chemotherapy

Surgeons

• General Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic Surgeons

• Botox
  Because of all the complexities of eyelids and eyelid surgery, Drs. Rachel Mercer and Jill Grennan are Midwest Eye Care doctors who specialize in eyelid surgery. In addition to repairing droopy eyelids that may restrict vision or cause chronic dry eyes (functional), they also perform cosmetic lid surgery and Botox injections for patients who are concerned that their eyelids no longer reflect their vibrant personality. They also perform minor lid surgery for the bumps and lesions that often accompany the aging process.
• Eyelid Surgery

Dermatologists

• Lesions