Meet The Doctors

  • Dr. Ethan Huisman,
    OD, FAAO

    Dr. Ethan E. Huisman, OD, FAAO, was born and raised in Pella, Iowa. He attended Pella High School and graduated with honors from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. In 2001, Dr. Huisman was awarded his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. During his training at ICO, Dr. Huisman received Clinical Honors while completing internships at the Grand Rapids, MI, Veteran’s Hospital, the Chicago Cornea Consultants, St. James Olympia Fields Hospital, IL, and the Pediatric Services at Illinois Eye Institute and University of Chicago Clinics. Dr. Huisman also received the Biocompatibles Award for Innovative Research in Contact Lenses.

    Dr. Huisman furthered his training by completing a residency in Cornea and Refractive Surgery Care at Hunkeler Eye Centers (now Durrie Vision) in Overland Park, KS. During that time he served as an investigator for numerous FDA clinical trials.

    In 2008, Dr. Huisman achieved his Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. The FAAO designation means he is recognized by his colleagues as a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who has met the highest standard of professional competence. Doctors of optometry are granted the right to use the FAAO designation only if they have achieved excellence in the practice of optometry as evidenced by the fulfillment of the rigorous qualifications set by the American Academy of Optometry.

    In 2010, Dr. Huisman founded Elite Eye Care. He started this office with the desire to serve the greater Des Moines Metro as a family-owned eye clinic, providing quality eye care to patients of all ages, while supporting the community. In 2021, Elite Eye Care made their second move 0.7 miles West of their original location on University Avenue. The new location is a dream come true and allows our team to continue to grow while providing the same quality eye care and support to the local community. 

    Dr. Huisman is a member of the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry, and the Iowa Optometric Association. 

    Dr. Huisman enjoys golfing and spending time outdoors with his wife, JoAnna.  In their free time they make their way to Wartburg and TCU to visit their daughters, Emma and Ellie, at college.


  • Dr. Heidi Bell,
    OD, FAAO, FCOVD

    Dr. Heidi Bell is an Iowa native. She grew up in Grand Junction, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with honors in 2008. She completed her Doctorate of Optometry, graduating Cum Laude with Clinical Honors, from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN.

    She furthered her training through a Residency in Primary Care Optometry, spending her time serving under-served populations in various public health settings in Memphis, TN. 

    In 2015, Dr. Bell achieved her Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. Doctors of optometry are granted the right to use the FAAO designation only if they have achieved excellence in the practice of optometry as evidenced by the fulfillment of the rigorous qualifications set by the American Academy of Optometry.

    In 2019, she became a Board Certified Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). This designation signifies Dr. Bell’s expertise in the areas of visual development, behavioral optometry and neuro-optometric rehabilitation. In 2015, Elite Eye Care began what is now Elite Vision Therapy. Elite Vision Therapy provides non-invasive therapeutic services for patients with binocular vision dysfunction, amblyopia, strabismus and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

    Dr. Bell is passionate about preventative health care, pediatric and developmental eye care. Dr. Bell, along with all of the doctors at Elite Eye Care, participates as an InfantSEE provider, offering comprehensive eye exams at no cost for babies between 6-12 months of age.

    Dr. Bell resides in Urbandale, Iowa with her husband, Luke, and their children, Ruby Kate and Reid. 

  • Dr. Kelsi Sawatzky,
    OD, FAAO

    Dr. Kelsi Sawatzky, OD, FAAO is an Ankeny native. She graduated with honors from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where she also played collegiate golf for the Knights. Dr. Sawatkzy was awarded her Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University School of Optometry, graduating with honors.

    In 2021, Dr. Sawatzky achieved her Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. The FAAO designation means she is recognized by her colleagues as a knowledgeable and experienced practitioner who has met the highest standard of professional competence. Doctors of optometry are granted the right to use the FAAO designation only if they have achieved excellence in the practice of optometry as evidenced by the fulfillment of the rigorous qualifications set by the American Academy of Optometry.

    Dr. Sawatzky specializes in specialty contact lenses, myopia control, ocular disease and primary care optometry.

    Dr. Sawatzky is a member of the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry, and the Iowa Optometric Association. Dr. Sawatzky remains an avid golfer and when not golfing she enjoys spending her time tailgating at Jack Trice and spending time with her husband, Tanner, and their daughter, Karter.

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed