Your Eye Care Team
Robert J. Steinmetz, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Dr. Robert Steinmetz is the director and co-founder of Union Eyes LLC, the owner of SoLo Eye Care in Chicago, and the co-founder and principal of iCare Advisors, LLC which is a firm dedicated to helping doctors around the country open cold start optometric private practices. Dr. Steinmetz graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and earned his Doctorate of Optometry degree as a cum laude graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Bob is the 2006 Illinois Young Optometrist of the Year and the 2015 Illinois Optometrist of the Year.
Dr. Bob is also a former member of Local 134 and prides himself on having built his offices in Chicago with union labor. Dr. Steinmetz is one of only a few optometrists nationwide to be board certified by both the American Board of Optometry and the National Board of Optometric Examiners. Robert is an avid sports fan and co-owner of the now infamous Bearsmobile, the revamped classic Cadillac hearse now devoted to supporting the Chicago Bears. He and his wife Nicole reside in Chicago with their two boys Dempsey and Declan and their English bulldog Mr. Pickles.
Eric A. Baas, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Dr. Eric Baas is the co-founder and principal of Union Eyes, LLC and the owner of Marketplace Vision in Chicago. He is also co-founder and principal of iCare Advisors, LLC. Dr. Baas graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in biological sciences. He then earned his Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and went on to complete a residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease. Upon finishing residency, Dr. Baas continued to work as a clinical instructor at the Illinois College of Optometry while simultaneously opening a private practice cold in a busy metropolitan area of Chicago. Dr. Baas teaches practice management at the Illinois College of Optometry and is actively involved with the Private Practice Club as well as the Sports Vision Club, serving as the team optometrist for the University of Illinois-Chicago. He is also the 2016 Young Alumnus of the Year at the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Eric’s outside interests include physical fitness, supporting the Wisconsin Badgers, Chicago Bears and hanging out with his Boston terrier Snoop.
Jennifer Pankow, Vice President
Ms. Pankow has over 30 years of experience in the eye care industry. Jen grew up on the south side of Chicago and earned her degree in Medical Assisting from Robert Morris College. She then went on to complete her Paraoptometric Certification with Indiana University. She has assisted in opening over 200 optometric practices around the country. Jen also has served as an office manager and specializes in patient care, medical billing and credentialing. She currently lives In Joliet with her husband. Jen comes from a family of proud union members including her father who was a member of IBEW Local 134. Jen is a huge Star Wars fan, has a yellow lab named Obi-Wan, and has attend many Star Wars conventions.
Leigh Cosgrove, Director of Operations
Leigh has over 25 years of customer service experience. Over the last decade, she has found her niche in patient care and office operations. Growing up with her father in the Army, Leigh lived in multiple locations across the United States from New York to California. She currently resides in Channahon surrounded by her friends and family. Leigh enjoys gardening, playing pickleball, and spending time with her three children and her grandson. Serving union members and their families is important to Leigh as many people in her life are hardworking union members including her son who is in the Carpenter’s Union Local 174.
Alexis Zimmerman, O.D.
Dr. Alexis Zimmerman graduated from Augustana College with a degree in Biology and Spanish. She went on to earn her Doctorate of Optometry at Chicago College of Optometry in Downers Grove, IL. During her time in optometry school, she served as a Student Ambassador for the University and the Vice President of the Class of 2021. When not studying, she also served as a tutor and teaching assistant.
Her main interests include primary care, ocular disease and dry eye. Dr. Zimmerman loves connecting with her patients while providing the best care possible using the latest in technology. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys providing personalized, speciality eye care in her patients’ native language.
She is a current member of the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association.
In her free time, Dr. Zimmerman loves spending time with her family, friends and husband, Matt. She likes to read and travel and enjoys trying out new restaurants in and around Chicago.
Thomas Ruiz, O.D.
Dr. Thomas Ruiz joined the Union Eyes Team in June of 2023 and primarily works at the Merrillville, Indiana location. He specializes in primary care, ocular disease, and hard-to-fit contact lenses.
Dr. Ruiz completed his bachelor's of biological sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago along with completion of the Honors College curriculum in May of 2015. His doctorate of Optometry degree was completed at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2019. Dr. Ruiz is a member of the Illinois Optometric Association as well as the American Optometric Association. He has dual licenses to practice in Illinois and Indiana.
In his spare time, Dr. Ruiz enjoys spending time with his family. His hobbies include the following: creating music, cooking, and anything outdoors. He loves sports and is a big fan of the Chicago Bulls, Bears, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Lisha Patel, O.D.
Dr. Lisha Patel graduated cum laude from Illinois College of Optometry in 2013. She fulfilled her clinical training at the Illinois Eye Institute, Vision Source, Gottlieb Eye Center, and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.
Dr. Patel focuses on providing comprehensive eye examinations with a focus on the fitting of advanced contact lens technology and medical management of ocular disease. Dr. Lisha recognizes effective communication is critical to a positive patient experience. Dr. Patel is able to conduct eye exams in Spanish as well as Gujarati for patients when necessary.
Dr. Patel has dedicated her professional career to providing the highest quality of healthcare to all her patients. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her husband and children.
Simona Maria Toader, O.D.
Dr. Simona Maria Toader was born in Romania and moved to Chicago with her family when she was eight years old. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at Loyola University Chicago and graduated summa cum laude from the Illinois College of Optometry with a Doctor of Optometry degree. After graduation, Dr. Toader entered into private practice in Chicago. As a business owner and doctor, she had the opportunity to provide her patients with the highest level of quality eye care.
Dr. Toader is an empathetic and knowledgeable doctor who cares deeply about all of her patients. She has had the privilege of treating the eyes of her patients, and their family members, at all ages and stages of life during the longevity of her private practice career in Chicago before moving to Indiana. She is passionate about improving the overall quality of life of all her patients and believes it starts with enhancing their ability to see the world around them clearly and comfortably.
Dr. Toader currently lives in Indiana with her husband and their three Dachshunds, Bob, Bill and Madi. Dr. Toader describes herself as “an optometrist by training, but a humanitarian by heart!” She enjoys going on global mission trips through the non-profit organization she started, ISA54 Ministries, helping to bring the gift of sight to those living in poverty.
Viktoria Loydall, O.D.
Dr. Viktoria Loydall earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and graduated Magna Cum Laude with her doctorate from the Illinois College of Optometry. She is currently a member of the Illinois Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. She is also an active member of the local Fox Valley Optometric Society.
Dr. Loydall has worked in multiple private practice settings throughout Chicagoland and is very excited to be helping union members and their families get the best eye care possible. She is trained to diagnose and treat dry eye, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, among other ocular diseases. She enjoys fitting specialty contact lenses and is proficient in the latest scleral contact lenses for patients with keratoconus and contact lenses for myopia control in children. Dr. Loydall strongly believes nutrition plays a large role in eye health and educates patients how our diet and supplements can help treat ocular conditions and protect our eyes.
Dr. Loydall grew up and still resides in Naperville, now with her husband and two sons, Kameron and Kristofer. They enjoy spending time together listening to music, spending time outdoors and bike riding.
Andrew Morua, O.D.
Dr. Andrew Morua was born and raised on the Southeast side of Chicago where he attended Mt. Carmel High School. Dr. Andrew went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois Chicago and then received his Doctorate of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Andrew has externship experience in treatment and management of glaucoma, posterior segment disease, co-management of pre and post-operative ophthalmic surgical conditions and pediatrics. In his free time, Dr. Andrew enjoys playing soccer and exploring the Chicago’s South loop neighborhood with his dog.
Luke Neuenfeldt, O.D.
Dr. Luke Neuenfeldt graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in Biology and then went on to earn his Doctorate of Optometry from the prestigious Illinois College of Optometry. He completed additional clinical training at the Detroit Medical Center, OMNI Eye Services of Atlanta, and the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Hospital before returning to Chicago. Although he is a Michigan native, he has always loved Chicago and is now proud to call it home. As a second-generation optometrist, Dr. Neuenfeldt grew up working alongside his father at the family practice since the age of 16. From that point, he was eager to follow in his father’s footsteps to serve patients in the field of optometry. Excellent optometric care has always been important to him. He is grateful and honored to be able to serve the population of Chicago. In his free time, Dr. Neuenfeldt enjoys working out, training for his next half-marathon, reading, and watching any and all sports.
Jerilyn Prybell, O.D.
Dr. Jerilyn Prybell was born in northwest Iowa and grew up in Gurnee, IL. Dr Jeri went on to receive a Bachelor’s in Biology from Lake Forest College. She then received a Doctorate of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. Dr Jeri completed externships in Primary Care at Fort Sheridan Army Base and Pediatrics at Easterseals. In her free time she enjoys teaching jewelry making and spending time with her son, Ethan and West Highland Terrier, Casey.
Kimberly Garvey, O.D.
Dr. Kimberly Garvey was born and raised in Evergreen Park, IL and currently resides in Woodridge with her family. Dr. Garvey attended Lewis University where she captained the Women’s Volleyball team, with a record including three Conference championships. There she met her husband, Tom, and they currently are cherishing watching their son Liam grow up. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating Cum Laude. Dr. Garvey was a distinguished member of the Tomb and Key Honor Fraternity, Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometry Honor Society, American Optometric Student Association, Contact Lens Society, Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity and Leo Club.
Dr. Garvey completed her pediatric internship in Denver, CO with a concentration on Vision Therapy, followed by an ocular disease internship at the University of Kentucky hospital, a multidisciplinary setting with specialists in the fields of glaucoma, retina (including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy), cornea, and cataracts. She also completed an internship at the Illinois Eye Institute with focused care of dry eye disease and specialty contact lens fittings. Dr. Garvey shares a passion for optometry and believes that patient education is an important tool in protecting ocular health and providing the best eye care.
In her free time, she is always on the go with her son Liam, scouting out the best parks and activities, and spending her time playing volleyball recreationally with her husband Tom and friends.
Michael Nelson, O.D.
Dr. Michael Nelson received his Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University before moving back home to Illinois and earning his Doctorate of Optometry from the Chicago College of Optometry. While in optometry school, he was co-founder and Trustee for the American Optometric Student Association, co-founder and Vice-President of the Optometric Private Practice Club, and was one of two students to be nominated and inducted into the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society, which is considered to be the highest honor for leadership a student of optometry can achieve. He is experienced working with a diverse patient population, having completed his clinical rotations at various private practices, medical centers, and VA’s. With a strong background in multiple optometric subspecialties like primary care, vision therapy, ocular disease, and low vision allow him to utilize a wide array of expertise in managing a variety of ocular diseases and vision disorders.
In the optometric community, Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Optometric Association, has been featured in the Illinois Optometric Journal, and has presented published research at various national conferences, including the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. He also actively volunteers for several organizations, such as the Special Olympics where he assists in vision screenings for local athletes.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and his wife Haley. He spends much of his free time outdoors fishing or water skiing in the summer and snow skiing in the winter.
Maggie Dimitrova, Head Optician
Maggie was born in Bulgaria and moved to the United States a young girl. She has extensive optical experience and enjoys high fashion eyewear. She is a former teacher and enjoys educating young children on insertion and removal of their new contact lenses. Maggie is fluent in English, Bulgarian, understands Russian and is currently learning Polish. When she not selecting the perfect frame for a patient, Maggie is cooking up delicious dishes and traveling across the country.