Our Practice in Medicine Hat

Born into a family of six in Taber, Dr. Shaw spent most of his early years engaged in sports. When he turned 19, he spent two years in California as a missionary. There, he ran into some students who attended the Southern California College of Optometry. They soon ‘converted’ Dr. Shaw to the optometric industry, and since then he hasn’t taken his eye off the mark, eventually graduating with Honors from the University of Waterloo in 1988. Dr. Shaw originally began his practice in Lethbridge but moved to Medicine Hat with his family in 1995.

More than anything, Dr. Shaw is a family man. He loves to spend time with his wife, his five children and his 8 grandchildren. Dr. Shaw remains firm to the old adage: Family First. In his personal time, Dr. Shaw likes to play golf, squash, and to travel.

Dr. Justin Snell grew up in Crossfield, Alberta, a small town just north of Calgary. During his school years, he was heavily involved in various sports and music, but ultimately Dr. Snell turned his gaze to the eye care profession. Even now, it’s easy to see how passionate Dr. Snell is about his patient’s eye care.

Before coming to Eye Solutions, Dr. Snell received his optometric degree from the University of Waterloo in 2011. After graduation, he was interested in furthering his education in the field of eye disease, and so he completed a one-year ocular disease residency in Ohio. There, he was trained by ophthalmologists who specialized in various ocular conditions including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, binocular vision and more. Dr. Snell moved to Medicine Hat in 2012 and enjoys the small city life with his wife Cheryl and 4 children.

Dr. Haslam was born in Taber and grew up in Airdrie, Alberta. He attended the University of Calgary for his undergraduate degree in Zoology. He graduated from Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, in Glendale, Arizona; where he was elected as a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometry Honor Society. The eligibility for this honor includes: A person who has performed some signal service for or on behalf of the profession of optometry, and a person of noteworthy professional or scientific attainment in the field of eye and vision care, either as an educator, scientist or practitioner.

In addition, Dr. Haslam was awarded the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society, for outstanding leadership and service and the Dean’s Award, at Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry.

Dr. Haslam has a special interest in dry eye disease (a.k.a. ocular surface disease), and he is committed to helping patients manage it. Dr. Haslam completed several externships with ophthalmologists, which gave him training in ocular diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other chronic eye conditions.

In his spare time, Dr. Haslam enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, playing guitar, and music. He particularly likes to spend time with his family outdoors. He says it’s his favourite thing to do! Always up for an adventure, Dr. Haslam keeps his family on their toes!

You may have seen Jody at the track (be it BMX, track-and-field or even the dance studio), but she was actually born out east in Trenton, Ontario. She came with her husband and two children to Medicine Hat after her husband had a work transfer near the end of the year in 2011. Jody has always had an interest in health and fitness, and this eventually led her to Eye Solutions, where she has become a valuable asset to the team.

Farrah was born in Manilla, Philippines and has called Medicine Hat home since 2010. She has brought with her over 15 years of optical training and experience from the Philippines, and obtained her optician license here in Alberta in early 2019. She has a natural talent for adjusting glasses. She enjoys being involved in her church and community. We are pleased to have her on our team!

Trish was born just north of Medicine Hat in a small, one-hundred and fifty person hamlet called “Acadia Valley.” Trish came to Eye Solutions to cover for another employee who was on maternity leave, but her vibrant and friendly personality was just what Eye Solutions needed. Even when her original planned work term ended, Trish stayed on to become Eye Solutions most experienced Optician.

Having a conversation with Ellen might reveal as much, but Ellen reigns from York, England. After graduating from Woldgate School in 1996, Ellen came to Medicine Hat with her parents. Ellen was on the look-out for a new challenge when she found Eye Solutions. She almost immediately came to love working in the eye care industry where Ellen’s calming presence quickly won her everyone’s approval.