Meet Our Staff
Ophthalmic Assistants
Anne Donegan, BS
Ophthalmic Technician
Anne graduated from UC Davis in 2017 with a B.S degree in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. During her time at UCD, Anne volunteered with various organizations that exposed her to the health filed, including Shifa Community Clinic (UCDMC student run clinic) and Citizens Who Care. After graduating Anne soon began working at AVEA as an ophthalmic tech. She enjoys interacting with patients and learning the field of ophthalmology. In her free time, she likes trying new foods, hanging out with friends, and traveling.
Joyce Lee, BS
Ophthalmic Technician
Joyce recently graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Biological Sciences. Although she relocated to Sacramento, she still commutes daily to our office! While at UC Davis, she worked with PHAC, which is a student-run medical clinic. She also participated in research in the fields of Internal Medicine, Ecology, and Evolution. These unique opportunities sparked her interest in a career in medicine, which is what led her to apply to a physician assistant program. While not preparing for her future career, she enjoys spending time with her German shepherd puppy and trying new restaurants in both Davis and Sacramento.
Lupita Valadez, CPSS
Ophthalmic Technician
A Dixon resident, Lupita is now approaching her five-year anniversary with our Advanced Valley Eye Associates family. She received her medical assisting certification from MTI. She has been working in healthcare for the past eight years and enjoys meeting patient’s needs, both big and small. When she’s not at the office, she is busy with her toddler, who keeps her on her feet!
Mandy Wilson
Mandy graduated from UC Davis in 2018 with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. While at UC Davis, she played on the Women’s NCAA soccer team, serving as captain for her last 2 years. She is originally from Southern California, but loves everything about Northern California! She has enjoyed working at AVEA so far and loves interacting with patients on a daily basis. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and spending time with her family.
Patient Service Representatives
Ana Ochoa, CPSS
Ana joined the AVEA family in early February 2016 and since then she has been enjoying assisting patients with their needs. She is a graduate of Cambridge Junior College and began her externship at AVEA. After completing her externship, we asked her to stay because we simply could not let her go! Outside of the office, Ana enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Lucia Aceves
Patient Service Representative
Lucia is a bubbly, young lady that has recently joined our team. She graduated from Cambridge College graduate as a medical office receptionist. She is a Woodland native and has recently moved to the Capay Valley. Lucia enjoys long walks, staying active, and going on bike rides with her three beautiful, energetic kids and husband. In her spare time, she also loves to spend time taking care of the animals on her farm.
Rashika Kumar
Patient Service Representative
Rashika currently resides at North Sacramento and is originally from Fiji. Rashika recently graduated from Cambridge Junior College and obtained her diploma for a medical office receptionist. In her spare time she loves to go out with her sister, watch television, play with her dogs, go rafting, go swimming, and bake yummy treats.
Steven Perez, CPSS
Steven is a Kaplan College graduate who has been with our office since his externship in 2014. His compassion shines through in his patient care and dedication to his work. He enjoys interacting with the wide range of patients that we see on a daily basis and finds his work to be stimulating and fun. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, and playing sports.
Timmy Panganiban, CPSS
Patient Service Representative
Timmy first moved in Davis in 2013 to earn a Bachelor of Sciences in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of California, Davis. Being originally from Southern California, specifically Long Beach, CA, he was really excited to move to Northern California. After graduating in 2016, he found out that he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically Public Health Administration. He enjoys working with patients and trying to find ways to assist patients who may have major concerns. Outside of work, Timmy likes to do yoga, go on long hikes, go on adventures in the city, partying, cooking, and reading up on the latest fashion trends.
Optical
Cotdy Fisher, ABOC, NCLEC
Optician
You’ll find Cotdy (pronounced “Cody”) in our optical department, ready to help you with any and all of your glasses needs. His ten years of optical experience from a private practice has given him the knowledge about the mechanics behind glasses. His great taste in frames will also lead you to a pair that you are sure to love. He is licensed by the American Board of Opticianry, the National Contact Lens Examiners Board, and a member of the National Academy of Opticianry. In addition, Cotdy is currently studying for the advanced ABO program to better equip him as an optician. While not working or studying, he enjoys acrylic painting and hiking to discover new lakes and secret waterfalls.
Kristi Yoshizawa
Optician
Kristi received a softball scholarship and attended the University of Hawaii where she graduated and received her Bachelors of Art in Sociology. She later became a member for The British National Softball team, where she traveled and competed internationally. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family. Kristi has been an optician for four years and enjoys helping patients and fitting them with the latest fashion trends.
Surgery
Elizabeth Hernandez-Perez, COA
Liz began in the medical field after earning her Medical Assistant Degree from Western Career College in 2003. She has worked with Dr. Miller for the past 12 years. Liz has a comforting manner to ensure the best care for our patients. She is also an essential part of Dr. Miller’s humanitarian work and joins him on his international mission trips with LIGA and Yolo Sight Savers where she runs the clinic and screens patients for sight saving cataract surgery. When not in the office or out doing philanthropic work, Liz stays active with husband and two beautiful daughters. Her smiling face has become a fixture for the practice.
Heather Stead, BS
LASIK Surgery Coordinator
Heather moved to Davis from Los Angeles where she graduated with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior in 2013. Heather has had a passion for Optometry, Ophthalmology and Eyeglasses since high school after getting stuck in a difficult prescription to fix myopia as well as double vision. Since she started at AVEA in 2017, Heather has become passionate about helping patients attain their best visual results. Heather is always eager to learn more and is still exploring the health field. She is looking to continue her education to earn a Masters in Public Health. In her spare time Heather enjoys baking, hiking and playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Practice Administrator
Sonia Miller, CRA
Practice Administrator
Sonia Miller has worked in the health and research industry for over 30 years. She began in research administration, managing contracts and grants, clinical studies and trials for basic research. She has worked at UC San Diego, Scripps Clinic, private start-up biotech companies and UC Davis. During her 13 years at UCD, she served as the Operations Manager for the MIND Institute, helped launch the Pediatric Heart Center as their Management Service Officer and most recently, was the Chief Administrative Officer for the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. Sonia retired from UCD in February of 2017 to become the Practice Administrator at AVEA. When not managing the practice, she enjoys accompanying Dr. Miller on his mission trips to Mexico where she assists the surgical team as a scrub tech in the operating room. She also loves to Scuba Dive and looks forward to catching up to Dr. Miller’s 600+ dives.
