Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating eye disease.  They have completed 4 years of medical school, a 1 year internship, a 3 year surgical residency, a rigorous 2-year-long board certification process, and re-certification every 10 years.  SMO has a nationally board-certified ophthalmologist on staff who is up-to-date on the latest developments in diagnostic testing, medical treatment, and micro-surgical techniques.

Optometrists are health professionals trained and licensed to provide non-surgical eye care.  They have completed a minimum of 4 years of college and 4 years of optometry school.  SMO has a board certified optometrist who sees patients at the Marshall office and provides comprehensive exams for children and adults, offering glasses, contact lenses, and yearly medical eye exams.

Ophthalmologists

Darren Hathaway, M.D.

Dr. Darren Hathaway completed his undergraduate education at Kalamazoo College and earned his medical degree from Michigan State University, where he was president of his class.  He completed his internship at Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, and graduated first in his class from his undersea medicine fellowship at Naval Undersea Medical Institute in Groton, Connecticut.  He then served in the naval submarine fleet as a Diving Medical Officer for six years before completing his residency in ophthalmology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan where he served as Chief Resident.  He joined Oaklawn Hospital's active staff in June 2002.  Dr. Hathaway is board certified, and has been practicing general ophthalmology in Marshall, Michigan since 2002.

Optometrists

Naiya Panchal, O.D.

Dr. Panchal received her Bachelor’s Degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and her Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. She has been published and recognized for doing research on light perception and on post-concussive impact on eye-tracking ability. Dr. Panchal decided to become an optometrist after seeing the drastic impact vision can have on behavior and quality of life. She strives to maximize visual potential while keeping the patients’ needs and wants in mind. Dr. Panchal is happily married and enjoys kayaking, traveling, watching live entertainment, and curling up to a good book.