Missouri Eye Consultants - Fulton

Dr. Cardonell is a dedicated ophthalmologist committed to enhancing the quality of life for her patients through exceptional eye care. She brings a compassionate approach and unique global perspective to our practice, which are both enriched by her extensive travels. Specializing in cataract surgery, she welcomes patients to our Columbia (Nifong) location.

Originally from Kansas City, her professional journey includes medical and surgical work in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and across the Midwest. This experience has not only shaped her empathetic approach to eye care but also fueled her ongoing passion for travel. When she’s not improving vision, she enjoys exploring, spending time at the lake, and creating memories with her husband, three children, and their dog Cookie.

Education & Experience
Dr. Cardonell earned her undergraduate from the University of Missouri, became a medical eye doctor at the University of Kansas, and received specialized pediatrics training from Case Western Reserve University. Her extensive experience in providing comprehensive eye care and pediatric ophthalmology at Harry S. Truman Hospital further equipped her to offer exceptional care tailored to the diverse needs of our patients.

Awards & Associations
Member — American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Member — American Academy of Ophthalmology
Board Certified — American Board of Ophthalmology

Dr. Rose is an experienced optometrist, who has been caring for patients’ eyes in Macon, Missouri for 30 years. He cherishes having such a long-term commitment to the people of his wife’s hometown, and delivers high-quality, comprehensive eye care to help his patients see their best.

Connecting with patients to help them maintain healthy vision now and in the future is something Dr. Rose is proud to do. Originally from St. Louis County, he stays active in the Macon community — where he’s lived for decades — by coaching sports with his two sons. When not providing his patients with exceptional services, Dr. Rose and his wife love to go camping and boating together. Some of his other personal interests include fishing, hunting, golfing, searching for ancient artifacts, and restoring vintage objects.

Education & Experience
Dr. Rose earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia and went on to complete his Doctor of Optometry at University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry. A fixture in Macon community eye care, he’s skilled in a variety of optometric services and has an understanding ear for his patients concerns and needs. Dr. Rose looks forward to continuing to provide top-notch medical and routine eye care to patients in his city.

Awards & Associations
Member — Missouri Optometric Association
Member — American Optometric Association

Dr. Gamble truly enjoys all aspects of optometry, especially working with aging eyes via geriatric eye care. A Columbia native, Dr. Gamble is a second-generation optometrist who was honored to not only follow in the footsteps of his father, Dr. James Gamble, but also practice alongside him for 13 years.

Dr. Gamble prides himself on providing his patients with excellent communication and compassionate care during each and every visit, and loves getting to know them and their families. When he’s not in the office, you can find Dr. Gamble spending time with his family, managing Missouri Eye Consultant’s Kindsight 2020 program and helping lead other optometric service organizations.

Education & Experience
Dr. Gamble finished his undergraduate degree at Missouri State University in Springfield. He then earned his Doctor of Optometry from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry in Tahlequah, Okla. In 2002, shortly after graduating, he joined us at Missouri Eye Consultants, where he practiced with and learned from his eye doctor father for over a decade.

Awards & Associations
Former President — Missouri Optometric Association
Member — Missouri Optometric Association

Dr. DeRose is a full-scope optometrist specializing in ocular disease, pediatrics, geriatrics, contacts and specialty lenses, and LASIK co-management. He proudly serves Missouri Eye Consultants patients at both offices in Columbia. When Dr. DeRose meets with a patient, he wants to learn about them and hear how their vision is affecting their lives: that’s key to how he customizes his approach to match patient needs.

Originally from Olean, NY, Dr. DeRose returned to the area to join the staff at Missouri Eye Consultants in 2007. When he’s not taking care of his patients’ eyes, Dr. DeRose enjoys spending time with his wife (a Columbia native) and two daughters, and rooting for Mizzou Athletics.

Education & Experience
Dr. DeRose earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Buffalo, and his Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1999. He then completed his residency training at Eye Associates of Nevada, where he specialized in ocular disease as well as refractive and ocular surgery. Before joining Missouri Eye Consultants, Dr. DeRose practiced in Chicago, IL, but ultimately chose to settle in the Show Me State where he enjoys all the wonderful people he gets to treat here.

Awards & Associations
Member, Past President — Missouri Optometric Association
Board Certified — American Board of Optometry
Fellow — American Academy of Optometry
Member — American Optometric Association

A dedicated optometrist who’s been with Missouri Eye Consultants since 2012, Dr. Melissa Liepins-Masek consistently demonstrates her love for the field and goes above and beyond for her patients’ well-being. She provides a wide array of comprehensive and pediatric eye care services, while always making sure her patients are comfortable, understood and involved in their care.

A native of Rockford, IL, Dr. Liepins-Masek has cherished being part of our southern community ever since joining our team. When she’s not improving her patients’ quality of life, she enjoys traveling, watching cooking shows and spending quality time with her husband, two sons and their French bulldog!

Education & Experience
Dr. Liepins-Masek attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for her undergraduate, and went on to earn her Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry, graduating summa cum laude and salutatorian. Throughout her career, Dr. Liepins-Masek has amassed valuable experience helping diverse patients see clearly and maintain eye health. In addition to adult primary care, she boasts great skill and passion for children’s eye care, including specialized pediatric eye exams and myopia management.

Awards & Associations
Member — American Optometric Association
Member — Missouri Optometric Association

Dr. Jaqueline Byrd is an experienced optometrist who always puts her patients first when providing them with the compassionate, well-rounded eye care they deserve. She offers a variety of valuable services at Missouri Eye Consultants, including myopia management, contact lens exams and fittings and thorough eye exams.
A native of California, MO, Dr. Byrd returned home after finishing school to bring her expertise and passion for healthy eyes to her local community. When not caring for her neighbors’ vision, she uses her free time to cook, play board games, is involved with her local church, The Crossing, and spend time with her husband and children.

Education & Experience
For her undergraduate education, Dr. Byrd attended the University of Missouri, where she was drawn to the eye care profession. She pursued her dream at Southern California College of Optometry in Orange County, where she achieved her Doctor of Optometry and graduated with honors. Dr. Byrd specializes in myopia management and contact lenses and offers comprehensive eye care.

Awards & Associations
Member — American Optometric Association
Member — Missouri Optometric Association

A native of Jefferson City, Dr. Bernskoetter is a passionate optometrist who is proud to deliver expert, individualized eye care to his neighbors to improve their quality of life. Since joining us in 1996, he has personalized his services, like myopia management and dry eye treatment, to patients at our Columbia on Nifong, Columbia on Keene, and Ashland locations.

As a longtime member of the community he serves, Dr. Bernskoetter enjoys getting to know every patient he sees and using his expertise to provide them with vision clarity and comfort. When not at the office, he loves spending time with family, working and playing outdoors, and following Mizzou sports and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Education & Experience
Dr. Bernskoetter received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, and kept loyal to his Missouri roots by earning his O.D. from the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry. Today, he specializes in ocular disease, refractive surgery co-management, pediatrics, geriatrics, contact lenses, and specialty contacts. In addition to his work at Missouri Eye Consultants, Dr. Bernskoetter has spent years caring for those who served our country by volunteering in the eye clinic at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans hospital in Columbia, MO.

Awards & Associations
Member — American Optometric Association
Member — Missouri Optometric Association
Member — local and state optometry committees
Winner — 1998 Young Optometrist of the Year

Dr. Wilkerson is a skilled optometrist who believes that clear vision and optimal eye health are essential to his patients’ quality of life. He uses his talents and enthusiasm to provide compassionate, comprehensive primary eye care to his patients at our Moberly location.

A native of Lebanon, MO, Dr. Wilkerson now lives in the community he serves with his wife Gwen and their two young children Luella and Arthur. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing tennis or cheering for Mizzou at their local sporting events!

Education & Experience
Before joining Missouri Eye Consultations in 2016, Dr. Wilkerson attended the University of Missouri – Columbia where he graduated with a degree in biology. He then achieved his Doctor of Optometry, and graduated salutatorian of his class, from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN.

At Missouri Eye Consultations, he uses his unique skillset to provide comprehensive eye exams, eye disease management including for dry eye, surgical co-management, myopia management and more. He especially enjoys the meticulous work of fitting contact lenses and enjoys helping his patients find a comfortable, practical lens type that’s suitable for their eye health and lifestyle. As a father himself, he’s also skilled at working with children and building a foundation for a lifetime of clear and healthy vision.

Awards & Associations
Member — American Optometric Association
Member — Missouri Optometric Association

Originally from Fulton, Missouri, Dr. Masek joined Missouri Eye Consultants in July 2020. He provides a full range of optometry services, including comprehensive eye exams and contact lens exams and fittings, with a focus on pediatric eye care. He is an exceptional optometrist at our Columbia Keene Street office, our Columbia on Nifong location and our Montgomery City office.

A caring and compassionate eye doctor, Dr. Masek is beloved by his patients for his dedication to their eye health and vision, and he especially loves working with children. When he’s not taking care of his patients, Dr. Masek enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Melissa Liepins-Masek, and their two children. His other interests include playing golf, fishing and cheering on Mizzou athletics, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Education & Experience
Dr. Masek earned his undergraduate degree from Truman State University, where he studied biology and chemistry. He earned his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, graduating with honors in 2010. Following optometry school, he completed a residency in Chicago, specializing in ocular disease and low vision rehabilitation. Before he joined Missouri Eye Consultants, he worked in Columbia for eight and a half years performing comprehensive eye exams, with an emphasis on pediatric care.

Awards & Associations
Member — American Optometric Association
Member — Missouri Optometric Association

Dr. Allie Dockins is a devoted optometrist providing full scope eye care, including comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings. Dr. Dockins is compassionate and sympathetic when it comes to the needs of her patients and aims to improve her patient’s quality of life through their vision.

As a Columbia native, Dr. Dockins is inspired to serve and give back to patients in the community where she grew up. When not working in the office, Dr. Dockins enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cheering on Mizzou athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dr. Jill Radkowiec is a dedicated optometrist who provides full-scope optometry, including specialty contact lenses, myopia management, and dry eye management. Growing up in St. Louis, Dr. Radkowiec developed a passion for helping others, which led her to pursue a career in eye care. Since graduating optometry school, she has been proud to live and work in Mid-Missouri, serving the communities she loves.

Dr. Radkowiec currently sees patients at our Nifong and Macon locations, where she combines her expertise with a compassionate approach to deliver personalized eye care for patients of all ages.

When she’s not seeing patients, Dr. Radkowiec enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three daughters. Whether she’s biking, running, or hiking, she loves connecting with nature and staying active.

A Jefferson City native, Dr. Cole Vanderfeltz is a dedicated optometrist who believes that proper eye care truly enhances a patient’s quality of life. He takes pride in providing quality full-scope eye care including comprehensive eye exams, eye disease management, pediatric eye care, and contact and specialty lens fittings for his patients.

Dr. Vanderfeltz works hard to care for his patients and establish a relationship to help them achieve great eyesight for their visual needs. When he is not at Missouri Eye Consultants seeing patients, Dr. Vanderfeltz enjoys spending time with his wife visiting and hiking in our national or state parks or cheering on the Cardinals, Blues, and Chiefs.

A dedicated ophthalmologist with a passion for comprehensive care and an emphasis on cataract surgery, Dr. Hesemann is active in research on the cutting edge of the industry. He has co-authored peer-reviewed literature with trusted colleagues, and his professional opinions have been published in various ophthalmology journals. He’s also a joint inventor of an ophthalmic device patented in the U.S.

Dr. Hesemann lives in Columbia with his wife and three daughters. When he’s not caring for his patients’ eyes or continuing his research, he enjoys spending time outdoors, cheering on the University of Missouri basketball team, and working on his family farm.

Education & Experience
Dr. Hesemann attended the University of Missouri School of Medicine, then finished his ophthalmology residency before entering private practice in St. Louis. After several years, he returned to Central Missouri in 2015, where he was named the Chief of Eye Services at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital in Columbia — a position he still holds today. He joined our team at Missouri Eye Consultants in 2016 and has provided exceptional care since.

Awards & Associations
Chief of Eye Services — Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, 2015-Present
Medical Provider of the Year — Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, 2017
Directors Special Contribution Award — Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, 2017
Excellence in Patient Experience, Most Innovative Patient Experience — 2018
Published — Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Published — Translational Vision Science and Technology
Published — Missouri Medicine
Member — American Academy of Ophthalmology