The holidays offer us a time to slow down, reminisce and create new memories with loved ones. The busy doctors and staff at Frantz EyeCare here in Naples believes family comes first and agreed to share their personal stories of celebration and family. Happy holidays!
Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS
Dr. Jonathan Frantz has been the chief surgeon and medical director of Frantz EyeCare for 26 years. He is the number one PanOptix Cataract Surgeon in Florida and the first to bring new technology to the Southwest Florida market through the Vivity lens for cataract patients and SMILE for patients who are looking for a flapless alternative to LASIK. Dr. Frantz combines his extensive experience, dedication to high-quality patient care, and impressive educational background along with the latest technical advances in the field of laser vision correction and cataract surgery to provide patients with solutions designed specifically to enhance their individual lifestyle requirements.
In addition to being a dedicated surgeon and affectionately known as “Papa Bear”, Dr. Frantz is passionate about giving back to the community through Mission Cataract USA. Having recently completed one of these events at the Fort Myers office, Dr. Frantz and his team of specialists were able to provide both compassion and clear vision to patients who did not have insurance or the ability to pay for cataract surgery due to financial challenges.
Genuine compassion as a surgeon only comes about through the ability to take on the fears of the patient and to then articulate a kind and confident course of treatment for the patient. Dr. Frantz is focused on relieving his patients’ concerns and putting them at ease while providing high quality care. Giving back to the Southwest Florida community from that which he has been blessed to receive is one of Dr. Frantz’s greatest honors.
Nisha Warrier, MD, MPH
Dr. Warrier is one of Southwest Florida’s most renowned vitreoretinal surgeons. She specializes in the overall comprehensive management of both medical and surgical disorders of the vitreous and retina to include age-related macular degeneration, rare macular disorders, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, holes and tears, as well as other retinal disorders.
For Dr. Warrier, the holidays are a time for joy, giving, and also for family and friends. “We have a few traditions we have adopted as a family. We love to go to pick out a tree all together to see what fits us best for that year. Then, my children, husband, and I spend an evening decorating our tree with lights and ornaments while listening to infectious holiday music. While the kids love the gifts they receive, we also participate with our schools in teaching the kids to donate food, clothes, and toys to bring joy to others. We have recently also started the ‘Elf of the Shelf’ tradition which our kids love, and it definitely keeps everyone on their toes. The holidays are a great time of year in our family to take a moment, cherish what we have, and make new memories.”
William W. Ehrlich, MD, FAACS
As the lead cosmetic surgeon with Frantz Cosmetic Center, Dr. William Ehrlich is able to expand the Frantz EyeCare brand of high-quality eye care by bringing a line of eyelid, facial and body rejuvenation procedures to the practice. He has a heart of gold and looks at each of his procedures as having the potential to improve the patient’s life, change how others view themselves – and even how they see themselves. His goal every day is to enrich every patient’s mind and heart through high-quality cosmetic services.
Dr. Ehrlich and his wife, Carrie, migrated to Florida from a colder climate several years ago. Dr. Ehrlich says that their favorite family holiday tradition was taking their four children to the country to cut down their own Christmas tree. Although Dr. Ehrlich’s children are now grown, these past traditions bring nostalgia and sweet memories to every holiday season.
Ira Perszyk, MD
As one of the area’s top Glaucoma Specialist, Dr. Ira Perszyk maintains a very busy schedule at Frantz EyeCare. He specializes in the comprehensive management of both medical and surgical disorders relating to the treatment of glaucoma, high-eye pressure, laser surgery for glaucoma, and cataract surgery.
Dr. Perszyk grew up in the Treasure State of Montana where the naturally colder climate lent itself to picturesque Christmas seasons. His childhood holiday traditions included venturing into the mountains to pick out the perfect Christmas tree, attending Christmas Eve services with his grandmother, and skiing with his brother on Christmas Day. The Christmas feast always included crab legs ordered in from Seattle, and his mom's traditional English pudding with brandy. Dr. Perszyk's grandfather is from Great Britain, so he was able to experience English traditions such as British Christmas crackers and crowns, as well as the American traditions they enjoyed as a family.
Maxwell A. Burch, MD
Dr. Burch is the newest member of the Frantz EyeCare team of specialists, and most recently joins us from Tufts New England Eye Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He specializes in the treatment of cataracts, corneal disease including corneal scarring, keratoconus, corneal edema, dislocated IOL’s, and refractive correction.
The Christmas season is one of Dr. Burch’s favorite holidays. He says, “I have such fond memories of driving to New Orleans with my family every December to see Celebration in the Oaks (a holiday lights festival). Seeing City Park decorated in lights while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate was the best way to get into the Christmas spirit. We always wrapped up the night with a hot bowl of gumbo or etouffee with Christmas carols being played in the background”.
The Frantz EyeCare Team
The most important thing we would like to convey to the Southwest Florida community is that while we are a family of employees who live, work and enjoy the same things as our neighbors, we also share in the same challenges and heartaches. The year 2020 started off with great expectations, but we were all thrown a curve ball in the way of physical, emotional and economic challenges that none of us expected. Jobs lost or furloughed, loved ones confined or ill – we have faced one of the biggest learning curves as a society that most of us can remember.
But we will persevere because we are a resilient people – it’s at the root of who we are as Americans and as a Southwest Florida community. At Frantz EyeCare, our wish for you this holiday season is that while you are enjoying spending time with friends and family in whatever ways you can be together, that you will also find time to press the reset button of hope as we approach 2021. Remember that hope is being able to see that there is light despite the darkness around us. From the Frantz EyeCare Team to your family – may you experience a joyous, prosperous, and hopeful 2021!
