Your Crozet Eye Care Team

Dr. Shannon Franklin

Dr. Franklin has been practicing optometry for more than 10 years. Her current patients range in age from infants to senior adults. She has special training in binocular vision and pediatric visual development. She utilizes instruments and techniques designed especially for children to obtain the most accurate visual analysis. In addition, Dr. Franklin is experienced in the treatment and management of eye diseases. She writes medical prescriptions for conditions as simple as red eyes and as complex as glaucoma. She also works with family practitioners who treat patients with diabetes and high blood pressure to detect and treat ocular side effects from these conditions.

Dr. Franklin earned her Bachelor degree at the University of Virginia and her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry (SCO).  While attending SCO, she conducted research in the areas of dry eye syndrome and contact lens solutions.  Dr. Franklin was awarded the 2002 Vanguard of the Year by the Virginia Optometric Association (VOA).  Currently, she is the President of the Virginia Optometric Association, serves as InfantSEE coordinator for Virginia as well as on the national InfantSEE committee, and is a Fellow in the Virginia Academy of Optometry.

Outside of caring for people's eyes, Dr. Franklin's passion is her two children and her husband. She attends Crozet Baptist Church and is very active with community events.

Affiliations:

Virginia Optometric Association, President
American Optometric Association, National InfantSEE Committee
Virginia InfantSEE Coordinator
Virginia Academy of Optometry, Fellow
Shenandoah Valley Optometric Society, Past-President
Optometric Extension Program, Member
Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Member
Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce, Member

Anne Souder, CPO

Anne Souder is our Licensed Optician and a Certified Paraoptometric. With more than 30 years of optical experience, Anne not only finds the perfect frame for you, she also customizes your lens options to fit your lifestyle. Choosing from more than 600 frames is made easy with her keen eye for functionality and fashion.

Anne is a happily married mother of two and grandmother of two. When she is not running marathons or travelling, she is active in the Crozet Lions Club and serves as President of the Somer Chase Association.

Affiliation:
Opticians Association of Virginia
Virginia Paraoptometric Association, Certified Paraoptometric

Michelle Layman, CPO

Michelle Layman is our practice’s contact lens technician, as well as our optometric technician. As a contact lens technician, Michelle works one-on-one with our patients to ensure they have the exact lenses they need to meet their health and lifestyle needs. In addition, Michelle is here to answer any questions our patients have relating to contact lenses. Whether you are wearing them for the first time and need expert training or want to know the latest contact lenses on the market, Michelle is happy to assist you.

In her role as an optometric technician, Michelle works closely with Dr. Franklin to assist in eye examinations and procedures. Michelle often sees patients prior to Dr. Franklin, prepping them for eye exams and collecting important data for Dr. Franklin to review.

Outside the world of eye examinations and contact lenses, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.  She also creates custom, hand-made jewelry with Knot Just Pearls.

Affiliation:
Virginia Paraoptometric Association, Certified Paraoptometric

Ellie Shields, CPO

Ellie is the Front Desk Manager at Crozet Eye Care. In this role, she greets patients, coordinates all patient-related information, handles appointments and cancellations, and manages payments and insurance claims.

Ellie moved to Charlottesville with her family in 2010 and graduated from Monticello High School in June 2012. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys cooking, being with friends, and taking walks with her dog, Polly.  

Affiliation:
Virginia Paraoptometric Association, Certified Paraoptometric

Kathy Stone

Kathy is Crozet Eye Care’s accounting consultant, bringing more than 20 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience with her. In this role, she is responsible for managing all financial records and assisting Dr. Franklin with budgeting and planning.

Kathy spent her early career in public accounting before becoming the controller of a small auto finance company.  After taking a few years off from the business world to focus on her children, she became an independent finance consultant.

When not working, Kathy can be found at her daughters’ sporting events, walking dogs or reading.

Kathy Layman

Kathy is Crozet Eye Care’s part-time office assistant. With more than 48 years working in the medical arena, she oversees the practice’s “Meaningful Use” programs, which are the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs to certify EHR technology to improve patient care. She also enjoys helping in any capacity where needed.

Kathy and her husband have a son, a daughter-in-law (Michelle), and two grandsons. She loves the outdoors, working in the yard and mowing grass. Most of all, she enjoys keeping her two grandsons.

Beth Coats

Beth is new to the Crozet Eye Care office and works with the team in a variety of ways. Beth assists Dr. Franklin with eye exams by performing pre-test procedures and is responsible for other administrative duties, including confirming patient appointments, assisting new contact lens patients with their fittings, and stocking contact lens inventory.

Beth, a native of Chesapeake, Va., moved to Charlottesville in 2004, is happily married, and has one daughter. She enjoys exercising regularly, and especially likes to spend time with family and friends at Lake Gaston.