Amanda Soukup is from Palos Park, Illinois and received her Bachelor of Environmental Science from Loyola University Chicago in 2020. She then moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she received her Doctorate Degree from Southern College of Optometry in 2024. Her passion for optometry lies in her personal experiences with eye related conditions as well as her desire to make a difference in her patients’ lives. She is a member of both the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association, and hopes to contribute to Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity throughout her career. Outside of Optometry, she enjoys spending time with family, spoiling her cat, and finding new hobbies.
William C. Park, MDWilliam C. Park is a board-certified, comprehensive ophthalmologist specializing in general eye care, cataract surgery, laser eye surgery, premium implants, eyelid diseases, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Prior to joining Aurora Eye Clinic, Dr. Park spent eight years caring for our nation’s veterans at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital and training ophthalmologists as a supervisor and Residency Program Director at Loyola University Medical Center.
Dr. Park earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and medical doctorate from Rush University Medical Center. He completed his surgical internship at Rush University and ophthalmology residency at Loyola University Medical Center and Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital.
Dr. Park has been in practice for more than 15 years and is a lifelong resident of the area. When he is not providing care to his patients, he enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, dog, and cat.
Patrick M. Differding, MDDr. Differding is a comprehensive ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma, diabetic eye diseases, corneal and external diseases, age related macular degeneration, and dry eyes. He is also an Illinois native and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Differding completed his ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University. When he is not seeing patients or spending time with his wife and two boys, Dr. Differding enjoys aerial photography, fishing, gardening and hiking.
Ismael Rodriguez, ODDr. Ismael Rodriguez is originally from Aurora, Illinois and received his Bachelor of Health Sciences from Aurora University in 2016. He then moved to Chicago where he received his Doctorate Degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2020. Dr. Rodriguez has had a passion for dry eye since he began practicing in 2020 and has been working with Dr. Zangler since 2022 in a collaborative effort to help treat and manage dry eye disease. With this passion, Dr. Rodriguez offers current evidence-based treatments to give patients the best possible outcome. Dr. Rodriguez is originally from Oswego, fluent in Spanish, and is a member of both the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association. Outside of Optometry, he enjoys spending time with family, physical fitness, and trying out new restaurants.
Caryn M. LaBuda, OD, FAAOCaryn LaBuda, OD, FAAO, is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where she received a Bachelor of Science degree. Dr. LaBuda earned her Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, and received the valedictory award upon her graduation. She completed a residency in full scope primary care optometry at the Marion Veterans Affairs Hospital.
Dr. LaBuda is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, and Board Certified by the American Board of Medical Optometry and by the National Board Examiners of Optometry. She has several advanced degrees in healthcare administration, pharmacology and toxicology, and healthcare systems engineering and informatics. She is a member of the Illinois and American Optometric Association. Her primary areas of interest are ocular disease and primary care optometry. In her spare time, she is passionate about serving the underserved communities by going on RAMUSA mission trips.
John M. Galasso, MDJohn M. Galasso is a board certified ophthalmologist who specializes in ocular trauma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, pediatric retinal disease and retinal detachment. Dr. Galasso earned his doctorate from The University of Michigan and completed his internship at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Loyola University Medical Center as well as a vitreoretinal fellowship at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at The University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rob F. Brenart, ODRob F. Brenart, OD, a Yorkville native, received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Chicago. After working many years in the software industry, and volunteering with his father and sister at Remote Area Medical, and other vision care events, he returned to school to earn his doctorate of optometry. He graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry, with honors, in 2017. While at ICO he was a member of the Tomb and Key and Beta Sigma Kappa honors societies, was a student representative for the American Optometric Student Association, and received his student fellowship for the American Academy of Optometry.
During his Doctorate studies, he completed externships at The Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging, The Jesse Brown V.A. Hospital, and the Eye Specialist Center. Dr. Rob practices general optometry, with a particular focus on ocular disease.
Dr. Rob lives in Yorkville with his wife Heather and three beautiful children: Matt, Benjamin and Cora.
Ross W. Mlsna, ODRoss W. Mlsna, OD, obtained his undergraduate degree in biology and computer science from Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois. Upon completion of his bachelors, he attended the Illinois College of Optometry and completed an externship at Fort Sheridan Medical Center and Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind. Upon completion, he obtained his doctorate of optometry. Dr. Mlsna is certificied in both therapeutics and oral medications.
Michael E. Sperlakis, ODMichael E. Sperlakis, OD, a Hinkley-Big Rock native, graduated from the University of Iowa with Bachelors of Science in biology. Upon completion of his bachelors, he attended the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO). There, Dr. Sperlakis obtained his Bachelors of Science in visual sciences and his doctorate of optometry. Upon graduation from ICO, he completed rotations at the Illinois Eye Institute, Sidney Hillman Clinic, Children and Family Eyecare, Gottlieb Hospital, and Midwest Eye Physicians. His clinical experiences included emphases in pediatrics and ocular disease.
Dr. Sperlakis is an active member of his community. He has organized annual charity exam days through the Gift of Sight Foundation and has been a participant for 3 years in the Chicago Children’s Clinic Missions.