Dr. Rick Simonds is a 1988 graduate of The Pacific University College of Optometry. Rick has had a very diverse optometric career.  He is a practicing optometrist with over 35 years of clinical experience.  His career started at an ophthalmology surgical practice. Then was the managing optometrist at two locations for EyeCare U.S.A. He then went into private practice and built a three-offices optometric practice.

While in private practice Rick rounded out his skills writing journal articles and giving continuing education lectures along with consulting for the following companies:

• Consultant, Alcon Labs
• National Advisory Board Member, Optum Health/Spectera (also known as UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits)
• Vice President of Provider Relations, Vision Plan of America
• Founder and Co-Author, Mission Statement for Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
• Consultant, Paradigm Medical
• Network Developer, Spectera of California
• Member, Advisory Panel for 1-800-Contacts
• Western Regional Consultant, Block Vision Care

Rick is a past President of the Ophthalmic Co-Management Section of the National Eye Research Foundation. In 2005 Dr. Simonds was the first appointee to The California State Board of Optometry by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In July 2008 Rick sold his practices.

After a well-deserved vacation Rick went to work for FirstSight Vision Services. In 2013 he was recruited by Lenscrafters and in 2014 Rick won the Lenscrafters President’s Award. Rick is now a self-employed optometrist for Eyexam of California. He currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the California State Board of Optometry and is on the Advisory Board for the Nvision  Murrietta Surgery Center.