Union Eyes Merrillville
Contact Us
616 W 81st Avenue
Suite B
Merrillville, IN 46410
Phone: 312.421.1016
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Vision Center
Phone: 312.888.9999
Tuesday: 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
(Closed for lunch 12 P.M. - 1 P.M.)
Wednesday: 10 A.M. - 7 P.M.
(Closed for lunch 1 P.M. - 2 P.M.)
Friday: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
(Closed for lunch 12 P.M. - 1 P.M.)
2nd Sat. of the month: 8 A.M. - 2 P.M.
Appointment only during the week
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Wellness Center
Phone: 312.421.1016
Mon. & Wed.: 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Tues. & Thurs.: 9 A.M. - 7 P.M.
Fri.: 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
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Union Eyes — Merrillville
The Union Eyes Merrillville location serves the members and families of Iron Workers Local 63, Plumbers Local 130 U.A., Riggers Machinery Movers & Machinery Erectors Local 136, IBEW Electrical Local 176, SMART Local 265, Cement Masons Local 502, IBEW Electrical Local 701, Iron Workers Local 395, Heat & Frost Insulators Local 17, and SMART Local 73.
Enjoy zero co-pays and no deductibles for all available services performed at this location, minimum wait times, and high-quality vision care. Union Eyes Merrillville offers premium, peer-reviewed products, treatments, and technology to benefit our patients’ eye health, vision and appearance.
Call 312.888.9999 to schedule your appointment at the Union Eyes Merrillville location today.
Your Merrillville Care Team
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.
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.
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.