Lakeshore Advance, 2011-10-19, Page 22 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Grand Bend welcomes new
The name Jim Smibert may not be a familiar one to residents of Grand Bend and area but he is
certainly aware of us.
"I grew up on a farm north of London and our summers always included day trips to The Bend.
Beginning with family and later with friends, the Beach, the Strip, the Pinery and Ipperwash were
the places to be. Now adays it is more about visiting friends at their cottages and dining out but at
least once a year my wife and 1 enjoy a summer stroll down the Strip and take in the theatre."
Dr. James Smibert is an optometrist who is settling into an office in the newly renovated building
owned by David Greene of Greene's Optical at 47 Ontario St. South. "It's kind of a symbiotic
relationship. We operate separate, independent businesses but as I will only be doing eye exami-
nations, I am hoping that Dave's clients will walk through my door also. As well I hope that 1
can attract residents who may be travelling a distance for their vision care, perhaps even back to
their prior communities, to switch to my office. Knowing that there is a licensed optician nearby
should increase their comfort level in making that change."
Dr. Smibert is a graduate of the School of Optometry, University of Waterloo. He was employed
by the University upon graduation and worked mainly in external vision care programmes. His
favourite was establishing Ontario's most northern permanent optometry clinic in the hospital
of Red Lake and seeing it eventually become part of the School of Optometry's training clinics.
That was a stepping stone to being hired to establish an optometry department in Regina's Com-
munity Health Services Association.
With the birth of his second son, Jim and his wife Linda, returned to Ontario and settled in her
home town of St. Marys to start a rural practise. "I tried to be innovative and bring the best of
what f had learned in the educational and community health areas into my office. I included go-
ing to daycares to check children as young as two and included hospital and nursing home visits for those unable to make it to my office. My office had an open concept in which 1
was always approachable. I was involved right from the beginning in bringing refractive surgery comanagement to our area and worked constantly enhancing the shared care model
with our surrounding eye surgeons. One relatively new piece of technology that 1 am bringing to Grand Bend is pressure testing with a magnetic rebound instrument. It eliminates
using the distracting puff of air or the big probe that requires an anaesthetic drop."
Four years ago Jim sold his St. Marys practise to a larger regional office but stayed with them to ensure his patients were content with their transfer to new doctors. "Now I am ready
for a new adventure. I think Grand Bend will be an interesting community to work in and by concentrating on what I do best - eye examinations, and leaving ophthalmic dispensing
to professionals like Dave - a licensed optician - I can look forward to enjoying my new professional home." Dr. Smibert can be reached at Unit 2 - 47 Ontario St. S. or by calling
519-238-1357.
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David Greene- Registered Optician
PEN H USE
Say, October 22nd
10.'00- 3:0isn
0
I Gado Cent, Skulk Goad Bead
We would like to welcome you to our new location. Come
and see our great selection of Fashion Eyewear for all ages.
• Very Competitive Prices
• Glasses Made & Repairs
Done On Site
• Refreshments &
Hors-d'oeurves
David Greene with Louise LeFebvre and Bentley
p
519 -238 -EYES (3937)
Open: Tues. - Fri. 9-5
Sat. 10-1
After Hours by Appointment
"Serving Grand Bend Since 1996"
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