Meet Your Doctors: Dr. Nichole Meerpohl

Note: The Holton Recorder is publishing a series of feature stories about doctors in our community. The second story in the series is being published today.

Nicole Meerpohl, OD, has been practicing optometry in a private practice setting in Holton since 1999. In 2009, Dr. Meerpohl merged her practice with Leslie Coffee Gallagher, OD, FAAO to form Lifetime Eye Care.

Dr. Meerpohl enjoys all aspects of primary eye care optometry, including detection and treatment of eye diseases. However, she has a special interest in children’s vision, stabismus and vision therapy.

She is a “See To Learn Provider” and has served as a committee member for the program as well. She was published in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry for her study on dyslexia and the effects of that on reading levels in elementary students.

She has also participated in a vision therapy study through the KOA. Dr. Meerpohl is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Kansas Optometric Association. Dr. Meerpohl and Dr. Gallagher received the Washburn University, Kansas Small Business Development Center Award for the 2010 Existing Business of the Year.

Dr. Meerpohl, 43, is a native of Holton and graduated from Holton High School in 1990, where she was active in athletics, Notables, and Stuco.

She received a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Benedictine College in Atchison in 1995. She then attended Northeastern State University, College of Optometry, in Tahlequah, Okla. where she earned her Doctorate of Optometry in 1999.

Dr. Meerpohl received numerous clinical awards while at NSUCO, and completed an externship at the VA Hospital in Muskogee, Okla.

Dr. Meerpohl and husband, Brian, reside in Holton and have three boys: Ashtin (23), Carson (15) and Carter (8). Brian is a math teacher at Holton Middle School and also serves as a high school football and track coach.  Her family is active members of St. Dominic Catholic Church and many other local organizations. 

Dr. Meerpohl is the daughter of Tracy and Lana Klinginsmith of Holton. Brian’s parents, Mike and Gloria Meerpohl, also live in Holton.

Dr. Meerpohl stated “It (Holton) is my hometown and there is such a sense of community and family here, which is why I enjoy my job so much.”

Dr. Meerpohl enjoys running, hot yoga, taking family vacations and attending activities that her family is involved in.

Dr. Meerpohl decided on going into optometry after majoring in biology and also having the experience of working a summer for a local optometrist, Dr. Wesley R. Clark, in Holton. 

“I had worked for Dr. Clark during the summer before college, and felt that with my love of biology and my love of people, it would be a good fit for me,” Dr. Meerpohl said.

When asked what piece of medical advice she would give, Dr. Meerpohl said it would be that “Preventative healthcare is very important. It is better not to wait until there is something wrong to see your doctor, if possible.” 

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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