By By Adrienne McKenzie
Premier Family Eyecare, located on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians reservation, is now open to everyone, according to Melissa Hoercher, O.D.
In October 2007 Creek Indian Enterprises purchased Premier Family Eyecare. When this change occurred, the clinic became open to all individuals, not just Poarch Creek Indians Tribal members.
Hoercher works at Premier Family Eyecare four days a week and at Baldwin Eye Clinic one day a week.
Hoercher does not perform surgery, but is permitted to prescribe and treat different eye disorders. She became an optometrist part-time at Premier Family Eyecare in 2005. From January 2006 until October 2007 she split her work between Poarch and Daphne eye centers and now she works fulltime at Premier Family Eyecare. She’s won many awards, both as a doctor and in the community, including the “Young Optometrist of the Year” award in 2001 and the “Spirit of Rotary” award. She also serves on the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry board of directors.
Since Hoercher is not from Atmore, she has become involved in different community activities in order to become more familiar with the area and the people. She’s a member of the Atmore Rotary Club and Leadership Atmore Class of 2008.
Hoercher believes in taking her time with vision patients at Premier Family Eyecare in order to ensure the best care.
Hoercher said Premier accepts Blue Cross BlueShield, Medicare, Medicaid, AllKids and other insurance carriers.
Premier Family Eyecare is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
For more information, call 446-3937.