At Vance Thompson Vision, the philosophy is simple: when you invest in your team, patients benefit. From surgeons and providers to technicians and support staff, the organization prioritizes ongoing education and advanced training within a collaborative culture focused on providing each individual patient with specialized care.
That commitment directly shapes the patient experience. When a team feels supported and empowered, it shows in every interaction. Patients feel confident in the expertise behind their care, comfortable asking questions and genuinely cared for from their first visit through their final outcome. This people-first approach has supported the organization’s growth across nine locations throughout the Mid- and Mountain West, demonstrating that strong teams create exceptional patient experiences.
In Omaha, that philosophy is reflected in a team of physicians and healthcare professionals dedicated to serving the local community with both expertise and heart. From the moment patients walk through the doors, they are greeted by a dedicated First Impressions team focused solely on welcoming and assisting them. Because a centralized phone team supports incoming calls behind the scenes, in-clinic staff are free from the distraction of ringing phones and can give their full attention to the patients in front of them. The result is an environment where individuals feel seen, heard and prioritized.
Vance Thompson Vision’s reputation is built not by one individual, but by a collaborative team of highly skilled physicians, specialists and healthcare professionals who share a common purpose. Every day, that team works together to deliver exceptional outcomes while creating an experience rooted in trust and expertise. In Omaha, that teamwork extends beyond clinical care to every detail of the patient journey, from streamlined check-ins to thoughtful touches like freshly baked cookies in the atrium that create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
For decades, Vance Thompson Vision has been a leader in advanced ophthalmic care and vision correction. The team has helped pioneer surgical techniques, thoughtfully adopt emerging technologies and elevate standards of care that influence practices nationwide. By continually investing in research and innovation, the organization ensures patients benefit from the latest advancements in eye care, often bringing new technology and techniques to the communities it serves ahead of many other markets.
Despite these achievements, the true driving force behind Vance Thompson Vision has always been its patients. Every investment in technology, every research initiative and every professional standard is ultimately guided by a single goal: delivering the best possible outcomes and experiences for the people who entrust the team with their vision. That trust is something the organization never takes lightly.
That is why Vance Thompson Vision is committed to assembling not only the most skilled clinical teams, but also the most compassionate ones. From the first consultation to long-term follow-up care, patients are treated with respect, empathy and individualized attention. It is this balance of innovation and humanity, expertise paired with genuine, personalized care, that defines Vance Thompson Vision and continues to guide everything we do.
Dr. Brandon Baartman, MD
Dr. Baartman is the lead surgeon at Vance Thompson Vision in Omaha. He has a deep passion for improving eye care in the community he serves through his commitment to education, research, technology and improving the patient experience. After graduating from the Wake Forest School of Medicine, he completed his fellowship at Vance Thompson Vision, a decision that ultimately led him to join the team full-time. He was drawn to the organization’s commitment to research and meaningful patient experiences. Beyond his work locally, he has provided sight-saving surgery to patients across the globe, bringing life-changing care to communities in need.
Dr. Lorraine M. Provencher, MD
Dr. Provencher developed an interest in eye care during her time at the Indiana University School of Medicine. She was quickly drawn to the precise, life-changing nature of ophthalmic surgery, balanced by meaningful clinical interactions. She performs cataract surgery and specializes in the comprehensive care of patients with advanced glaucoma, dedicating her work to both clinical excellence and research aimed at slowing or preventing disease progression. Equally important to her is building lasting relationships with patients. Dr. Provencher believes Vance Thompson Vision reflects her values by prioritizing personalized care and developing treatment plans that align with each patient’s goals, lifestyle and long-term eye health.
Dr. Keegan Mechels, MD
Dr. Mechels was introduced to eye care at a young age. While exploring career opportunities in college, he shadowed both optometry and ophthalmology at Vance Thompson Vision in Omaha, an experience that helped shape his decision to pursue ophthalmology. As an oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Mechels specializes in eyelid procedures that restore comfort, function and confidence for his patients. For Dr. Mechels, meaningful patient interactions are at the heart of his work. He understands that entrusting someone with your vision is deeply personal and never taken lightly. He was drawn to Vance Thompson Vision’s patient-first philosophy and its commitment to advancing care through innovation, ensuring patients receive the highest level of expertise and attention.
Dr. John Goertz, OD
Originally pursuing a career in electrical engineering, Dr. Goertz found himself seeking a more people-oriented profession. After graduating from Kansas State University, he attended the University of Houston College of Optometry where he earned his doctorate. Later, he joined Vance Thompson Vision because the organization shares his philosophy that every patient deserves the best care possible. He approaches each patient as he would a family member, valuing thoughtful problem-solving and personalized solutions that improve quality of life.
Dr. Kristen Walton, OD
Dr. Walton’s journey into eye care was inspired by family. After witnessing her grandfather’s struggle with vision loss, she developed a deep appreciation for the impact eye health can have on daily life. She studied at Minnesota State University Moorhead before completing her optometry training and gaining experience through externships and internships across the country. At Vance Thompson Vision, Dr. Walton focuses on building trust, ensuring patients feel heard, informed and genuinely cared for throughout their experience.
Dr. Lawrence Nguyen, OD
Dr. Nguyen’s passion for optometry began the moment she experienced clear vision for the first time as a child. That life-changing moment inspired her to pursue a career in optometry and deliver the same life-changing experience to patients. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, she attended the University of Houston College of Optometry. She values the organization’s commitment to advanced technology, thoughtful care and helping patients see and live more fully.
Dr. Kate Holthaus, OD
At the age of 10, Dr. Holthaus attended her mother's eye exam. She was amazed by the different technology doctors used and how it was able to help her mother see more clearly. After graduating from the University of Nebraska Omaha, she obtained her Doctor of Optometry degree from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. For Dr. Holthaus, education is at the core of her passion for eye care, and it is one of the reasons she was drawn to Vance Thompson Vision in Omaha. She is passionate about helping patients feel confident and informed about their eye health, believing that education plays a vital role in long-term outcomes and trust.
At its core, Vance Thompson Vision represents what is possible when clinical excellence, innovation and compassion are pursued with equal intention. Here in Omaha, that commitment comes to life through a team of physicians and healthcare professionals dedicated to serving this community with expertise and heart. While the organization is known for advancing research and technology in ophthalmology, what matters most to patients locally is the experience they have right here: personal attention, thoughtful recommendations and care delivered with integrity.
Looking ahead, the Omaha team remains focused on continuing to grow alongside the community it serves. From investing in advanced surgical technology to mentoring future eye care leaders and expanding access to specialized services, the focus is not only on innovation, but on ensuring patients in Omaha receive the highest level of care close to home. With a dedication to education, excellence and human connection, Vance Thompson Vision invites patients to see their eye health as one of life’s most meaningful investments, supported by a team rooted in Omaha and committed to helping this community see its best for years to come.