Dr. Joseph Elmalem & Associates - Hillcrest Mall

Dr. Elmalem has been proudly serving the York Region community since 1994. He graduated from the University of Waterloo and earned his Doctorate of Optometry Degree from the State University of New York, State College of Optometry in 1993. His peers and faculty recognized him for his clinical performance by awarding him the Louis Herrmann Memorial Award for outstanding and compassionate care and the Ciba Vision Award for Outstanding Performance in Contact Lenses. Dr. Elmalem then completed a Binocular Vision and Visual Perception Residency at the State College of Optometry, specializing in strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eyes) and learning-related disorders.

Dr. Elmalem is a member of The College of Optometrists of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Optometrists. He has earned a therapeutics certification for ocular diseases from The College of Optometrists. His participation in many Vision Van events and Gift of Sight missions to Morocco and the Dominican Republic exemplifies his passion for those in need. Joe enjoys listening to music and travelling with his family when not in the office. He is an avid sports fan.

Dr. Holly Ma is a member of the College of Optometrists of Ontario. She received her Honours Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from the University of Waterloo in 1994. She completed her Therapeutics Pharmaceutical Agents certification in 2009. Dr. Ma has practiced at our Newmarket and Richmond Hill clinics since 1995. In her spare time, Holly enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys skiing and reading and shares her love of music and piano with her family.

Dr. Marli Shelson completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences at McMaster University in 2008. She then earned her Doctor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2012. Dr. Shelson completed her clinical internships in Florida at the Center for Better Vision, specializing in pediatrics and binocular vision, and the Eye Centers of South Florida, a multi-disciplinary ophthalmological and optometric practice. Dr. Shelson has volunteered at the Special Olympics in Orlando, Florida, providing vision screenings for the athletes. She is a member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists and a member of the College of Vision Development. Dr. Shelson believes patient education and disease prevention are vital to enhancing and maintaining healthy eyes and clear vision.

By getting to know her patients, she can counsel them according to their unique health and vision requirements. She practices at both the Newmarket and Richmond Hill locations.

Born and raised in Vaughan, Ontario, Dr. Corey Levman charted his path to becoming an esteemed eye care expert with a foundation in science from Western University, where he earned his BSc in Physiology. His passion for ocular health led him to Nova Southeastern University, where he completed his Optometry degree, setting the stage for a distinguished 11-year career dedicated to enhancing lives through improved vision.

Dr. Levman's profound satisfaction from aiding individuals in achieving better ocular health and, consequently, a better quality of life drives his commitment to his profession. His practice is not just his vocation; it's his passion. He finds joy in the diversity of challenges and triumphs that come with caring for all areas of ocular health and vision care. This enthusiasm for variety keeps his practice vibrant and deeply fulfilling.

His dedication extends beyond the clinic. Dr. Levman has contributed to the community through vision screening programs with the Special Olympics, showcasing his belief in giving back and ensuring inclusive access to quality eye care.

When not immersed in optometry, Dr. Levman is an avid adventurer who cherishes the great outdoors. Whether camping, hiking, or snowboarding, he loves spending quality time in nature. A family man at heart, his greatest joy comes from moments spent with his family and young son —building legos or exploring the wilderness at their cottage. Music also plays a significant role in his life, as he enjoys strumming the guitar and sharing melodies that echo his diverse interests and creative spirit.

Dr. Levman's life is a testament to his dedication to his profession and the richness of experience that life offers beyond work. His holistic approach to wellness, both ocular and personal, exemplifies his commitment to seeing the world more clearly and living it more fully.

Dr. Matthew Chen completed his Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Waterloo and earned his degree in Biomedical Sciences. He attended the John D. Dingell Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Detroit, MI, where he focused on the diagnosis and management of ocular pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. During his training, Dr. Chen developed a strong interest in specialty contact lenses, including orthokeratology, scleral, and rigid gas-permeable lenses. He takes particular interest in their application for managing myopia and correcting keratoconus. While not at the clinic, he enjoys travelling abroad, climbing at the local climbing gym, finding his zen in the yoga studio, and cooking a meal to share with friends and family.

Dr. Jeremy Han has always had a fascination for eyes. His need for glasses and patching for amblyopia as a child meant he had constant exposure to optometry from a very young age. Dr. Han pursued the sciences throughout his education and graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and genetics. He then enrolled in the optometry program at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In addition to seeing patients at the school's clinic, he completed his rotations at a private practice in Rhode Island and Philadelphia and a lengthy rotation at Einstein Hospital, where he received exposure to many different diseases and disorders of the eye. Dr. Han is passionate about the early detection of systemic diseases through the eyes and is particularly interested in the retina. He believes educating patients on their health and conditions is important and helps them understand the reasons for treatments and lifestyle and dietary changes.

Dr Sarah Cleghorn grew up in Newmarket, Ontario. Then, she attended McMaster University, completing her Bachelor of Sciences with Honours. She completed her Doctor of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, graduating on the Dean's List.

As part of her training, she completed an internship at St. Albans Veteran's Affairs Hospital in New York, working with a leading optometrist in glaucoma research and management. During her studies, she learned to integrate and utilize advanced technology in patient care to prevent ocular diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy and to enhance vision using laser vision correction.

Sarah loves children (especially the little ones!). She strives to ensure they have a positive experience at every eye exam! She always accepts new patients and would happily provide your family with eye care.
When Sarah has spare time, you can find her enjoying outdoor activities, including soccer, skiing, cycling and swimming, and enjoying time with her family in Newmarket. 

Dr. Daphne Lau began wearing glasses at eight and has been fascinated with vision care ever since. She completed her Doctor of Optometry at the University of Waterloo with recognition on the Dean’s Honors List. In 2015, she was president of the school’s Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanities (VOSH) student chapter, organizing fundraisers and various optometric mission trips. She has also participated in volunteer missions to Ghana and Peru, where she helped deliver eye care to underserved communities.

Dr. Lau is interested in ocular disease and myopia management, including ortho-keratology. She also currently works at a laser vision correction center providing post-op care for patients who have had refractive surgery, a procedure that she has undergone herself. Dr. Lau can communicate in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin and enjoys working with patients of all ages. In her spare time, she likes to travel and stay active by jogging with her dog, Morty.

Dr. Morettin is a dedicated optometrist committed to delivering exceptional eye care in Ontario. She has advanced training in ocular disease and a clinical focus on Glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmic conditions, and anterior segment disease, allowing her to provide thorough, evidence-based care to protect her patients’ vision and overall eye health.

She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo. During her studies, she completed an internship at the St. Albans VA Medical Center in Queens, New York. She then went on to pursue a residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at the Illinois College of Optometry and the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago.

Following residency, Dr. Morettin served as a faculty member at the Illinois College of Optometry from 2014 to 2022, where she was promoted to Associate Professor. During this time, she was also Chief of the Urgent Eye Care Clinic at the Illinois Eye Institute and provided paediatric eye care in a clinic affiliated with the Chicago Public School system.

As a specialist with a Glaucoma residency, Dr. Morettin provides advanced management of ocular hypertension and chronic glaucoma. Her clinical approach integrates state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, including expertise in interpreting OCT nerve fibre analysis and Visual Field testing to monitor and preserve long-term ocular health.

Dr. Morettin is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists. She serves as a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and has contributed to public health through roles on the Illinois Diversity in Healthcare Task Force and the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program, where she was part of an interdisciplinary team analysing controlled substance prescribing patterns.
Beyond clinical care, Dr. Morettin actively contributes to the profession through research, peer-reviewed publications, and continuing education. She frequently lectures for various organisations and participates in ongoing clinical studies.

Dr. Stephanie Fromstein is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and brings 13 years of specialized clinical experience to the team at Dr. Elmalem and Associates. A Toronto native, Dr. Fromstein earned her Bachelor of Science from McGill University before moving to Florida to complete her Doctorate of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University. Driven by a passion for complex ocular cases, she then completed a prestigious residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at the Illinois College of Optometry, where she spent several years as a clinical educator and residency coordinator.

Dr. Fromstein’s expertise lies in life-changing visual solutions, particularly scleral lenses for keratoconus, dry eye therapy, and multifocal contact lens fittings. She holds advanced certifications in CRT orthokeratology, Beyond the Limbus scleral lens fitting, and MiSight myopia management. Her approach to patient care is deeply rooted in the belief that "time well spent" is the key to healthcare; she prides herself on being a detail-oriented provider who ensures every patient feels heard, cared for, and confident in their visual health.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Fromstein is a dedicated educator and advocate for patient clarity. She enjoys debunking common optical myths, such as the idea that wearing glasses makes eyes "weaker"—explaining instead that glasses simply allow the brain to experience the clear vision it deserves. Her commitment to the community is further seen through her volunteer work with the Special Olympics and her involvement in medical mission trips and high school mentorship programs.
When she isn’t in the exam room, Stephanie enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family, including her beloved blind dog, Massimo.