Our Doctors and Staff

Dr. Murphy grew up a military child and spent time in Illinois, Canada, Indiana, and Massachusetts. Dr. Murphy’s college career began at the United States Air Force Academy, where she majored in Physics. After a few years, she moved to California and completed her undergraduate degree at U.C. Berkeley. She went on to complete an additional four years of optometric doctoral training at U.C. Berkeley, graduating in 2002. She received multiple honors throughout her graduate career including: – Golden Retinoscope for Outstanding Graduate Student – George I. Deane Memorial Leadership Award – RGPLI Award for Excellence in Contact Lens Fitting – Corrine Engall Award for Excellence in Pediatric Care – Vision Service Plan Award for Primary Care Excellence, and – Marchon Award for Excellence in Ophthalmic Dispensing.

Dr. Murphy was selected to perform her internships at leading eye clinics across the nation. She completed specialty healthcare training in ocular disease at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, and received advanced training in primary care and dry eye at Lovelace Eye Hospital, Albuquerque, NM.

Immediately upon graduation, Dr. Murphy moved to the Front Range to begin her career. She is now an active member of the Colorado Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. She currently serves on Advisory Boards for several ophthalmic industry companies. She speaks professionally, educating her colleagues on behalf of many of the industry’s best companies. She also serves on the board of several industry companies. She has been voted as an industry Optometric Business Innovator and one of Optometry’s Most Influential Women.

Additionally, Dr. Murphy worked with the industry’s leader to develop software used by eye doctors around the country. She continuously completes post-graduate training at prestigious institutions across the country. Through college, she worked as a licensed optician and decided on a career of optometry very early.

Dr. Murphy is the proud mother of two teenage children. She enjoys hiking, skiing, fly fishing, and anything else that takes her into the mountains.

Dr. Pipkin is a proud Colorado native. After attending Cherry Creek High School and Colorado State University, where she majored in Biological Sciences, Dr. Pipkin graduated cum laude from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee in 2011.

During the four years she was completing her optometric doctoral training, she was an active member of the Gold Key Honorary Optometric Society and Beta Sigma Kappa Honorary Scholastic Fraternity, both of which recognize students for leadership and academic excellence. While in school, she was awarded the Walman Optical Scholarship, as well as the Optometry Award for Excellence in Ocular Disease. She was recognized by Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, based upon academic achievement, community service, leadership, and potential for continued success.

After receiving state-of-the-art clinical training while in Memphis, Dr. Pipkin returned to Colorado for her internships where she completed specialty training in ocular disease, contact lenses, and pediatrics. Dr. Pipkin is an active member of the Colorado Optometric Association and served as the President for the local Denver Metro Optometric Society.

Dr. Pipkin is passionate about serving her community and providing the best vision care possible. She feels fortunate to call Broomfield home along with her husband Dan and two daughters.

After living and traveling coast to coast, Dr. Perez and her family found true home to be in Colorado. She was raised in Northern California, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Psychology from U.C. Davis in 2001. She then obtained her Doctor of Optometry degree with honors from U.C. Berkeley in 2006. During that time she was awarded the Vision Service Plan Scholarship and the U.C. Berkeley Optometric Performance Grant for Excellence in Primary Care, the Greenwood Family Memorial Award for Outstanding Patient Management Skills, the Michael Harris Family Award, and the Shanaz Rafinejad Eyewear Center Award for Excellence in Ophthalmic Dispensing.

Following graduation, Dr. Perez completed a one-year residency in Ocular Disease at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. She fell in love with Colorado after joining a private practice in the Front Range for a short period of time before getting married and returning to Florida to practice as a full-time faculty member at NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry as an Assistant Professor. After four years, the song of the mountains once again called to her and she is now a proud (permanent!) resident and eye care provider of the Front Range.

She has authored and presented posters on various topics in ocular disease and primary care at the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) meetings where she continues to receive post-graduate continuing education. She obtained her Fellowship from the AAO in 2010 in Ocular Disease and is published in Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association. Dr. Perez is a member of the Colorado Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Perez enjoys hiking, skiing and camping with her husband and 2 children.

Dr. Aigner grew up in Fort Collins. She graduated cum laude from Colorado State University with a degree in Biological Sciences in 2002. She then completed her Doctor of Optometry degree with highest honors from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2006.

During her four years of optometric training, she was awarded multiple scholarships and awards, including the Cooper Vision Excellence in Contact Lens Award, Vision Service Plan Scholarship for Clinical Excellence, Gas Permeable Lens Institute Award of Clinical Excellence, Presidential Scholarship, and E.F. Wildermuth Memorial Scholarship. She was also chosen to be a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honorary Society and Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society. She completed internships and was awarded clinical excellence in ocular disease, contact lenses, low vision, primary care and pediatrics.

After graduating, Dr. Aigner co-wrote a chapter in a corneal surgery textbook about central corneal thinning and perforation. She continues to stay up to date with the latest advancements and technology in optometry through continuing education courses. She started her career in Maryland before moving back to Colorado. She is an active member of the Colorado Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association.

Dr. Aigner enjoys spending time with her 2 sons, running and skiing.

Dr. Burleson grew up in Kansas, Wyoming and Missouri, but has called Colorado home since 2002. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Kansas in 1998 and is a 2002 graduate with honors from the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. During her fourth year of optometry school, she completed externships in ocular disease management, contact lens patient care, primary care, and pediatrics/binocular vision. Throughout her schooling, she received numerous scholarships and awards for optometric academic excellence and leadership including the Robert A. Koetting Scholarship, the Bellingrath Scholarship, the William R. Jackson Scholarship, and Class Marshall for the class of 2002. She was also a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.

Dr. Burleson is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the Colorado Optometric Association, and the Denver Metropolitan Optometric Society and is a past board member of the Vision and Learning Forum. She has served on the Children’s Vision Committee of the COA and is an InfantSee volunteer.

In her free time she enjoys running, hiking, skiing and spending time with her husband, two daughters and a variety of pets.

Whitney comes to Front Range Eye Associates with over 20 years of experience in Ophthalmology and Optometry Practice Administration and Leadership Development. She holds a BFA in Liberal Arts, as well as a Certification in Ophthalmic Billing, an ELI-MP (Energy Leadership Index- Master Practitioner) Certificate, and is a Certified Professional Coach.

During her career, Whitney has developed programs for Practices and Team Members to provide the highest level of Patient experience. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of the people around her and strives to bring out the best in herself and others. She takes pride in continuously aiming to show up as her best self and wants to challenge others to do the same. She is passionate about helping cultivate a culture that allows people to grow personally and professionally, which, in turn, she believes creates a wonderful atmosphere for all who walk through our doors.

In her spare time, she loves fueling her soul with some of the things she cares deeply about such as family time, connecting with others, exercising, getting lost in nature, music, art, and good food.

“Serving my community is just one of my passions!” Stefani has been serving the Adams-Broomfield counties since 2007 after graduating from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with an Emphasis in Counseling and Mental Health and later a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. Between 2007 and 2013 she served as a NOVA certified Crisis Interventionalist and Victim Advocate primarily with children and families.

Stefani left child victim advocacy seeking new experiences with a helping profession and began her optical journey in 2014. After graduating with honors and an Associate of Applied Science from PIMA Medical Institute’s accelerated Ophthalmic Medical Technician in July 2015 she continued working with children at a pediatric-focused optometry practice. Here she was immersed in many aspects of vision ultimately focusing on the optical department as in combined her clinical experience with her love of empowering patients to see, look, and feel their best! After many years of practice as an optician, Stefani felt emboldened to make it official and become ABO certified in December 2022.

Other passions Stefani enjoys are adventuring with her family and pets, reading, and leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.

Michele started with Front Range Eye Associates (FREA) in 2013 as an Optician and really enjoyed finding the right frame and fit for patients, as well as making sure they received the best lenses to enhance their vision.

After taking a hiatus for 2 years to pursue her own business venture, she could not stay away from her FREA Family and rejoined them in 2018. Her job has evolved into all things billing and FREA’s day-to-day claim activity. She takes great pride in making sure that our billing is a seamless process from start to finish and that our patients have a good billing experience.

In her free time, you will find her spending time with her dogs, doing macrame, going to Pilates, and soaking up her daughter, family, and precious grandson.

Vanessa joined the FREA team in 2022 after graduating from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Asian Studies. She has her CNA license, is a certified Paraoptometric, and is also BLS certified. In the near future, Vanessa has plans to go to medical school.

In her free time, she enjoys making art, playing video games, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Katie is a senior in high school aspiring to study business in college. She joined the cadre of FREA’s optometric technicians in 2022 and works as often as she can to support her shopping habits while building her resume for college applications.

Daniel joined Front Range Eye Associates in January 2014 and brings over 8 years of opticianry experience with him. Daniel is working on becoming an American Board Certified Optician.

He has experience in frame styling, optical troubleshooting, frame adjustments, and patient customer care. Daniel continues his training to make sure patients are delivered the most up-to-date technology and glasses that best meet their needs.

Daniel is a Colorado native is bilingual and loves camping, fishing, and spending time with family.

Yesenia joined Frea in 2022. She enjoys connecting and interacting with patients and creating a space for them to find that perfect pair of glasses.

In her free time she enjoys being active outdoors with her two beautiful girls, reading a good soulful book, pilates, yoga, and rollerblading.

Veronica brings over 23 years of Optical experience to Front Range Eye Associates. She delivers a wealth of frame styling and knowledge to the table. For her, it is all about patient care and bringing joy to the optical world. She thoroughly enjoys connecting with everyone who sits down with her, allowing her to create a personalized shopping experience for every patient.

During her free time, she enjoys fishing, camping and all things outdoors with her 2 wonderful daughters.

FREA has been selected by UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science to serve as adjunct faculty for Optometric Externs. Students carefully select rotations outside of the University to gain diversity in their patient care experience and management of visual disorders. These student doctors are in their final year of a 4-year doctorate program and have undergone extensive clinical studies, including procedural training. They bring an enthusiastic, fresh perspective in patient care and keep us at the forefront of Optometric care and clinical studies.

We are so appreciative of our patients’ willingness to be an integral part of shaping the future of our profession!

Dr. Richheimer fell in love with Colorado during his residency at Denver’s St. Joseph’s Hospital. After leaving to complete his training at world-renowned eye centers, Dr. Richheimer returned to Colorado. In 2008, he realized his dream of creating his own leading-edge vision care practice, Mile High Eye Institute.

As a leader in ophthalmology, Dr. Richheimer was the first fellow in the United States to be fully certified in the Staar Implantable Contact Lens, the first U.S. surgeon to perform ultra-thin DESK, and one of only a few local surgeons who perform corneal cross-linking. Dr. Richheimer further stays at the forefront of cataract surgery, providing the most advanced techniques and all options for lens implant technology.

Dr. Richheimer enjoys giving back to the community through teaching and volunteering. On numerous occasions, he has provided surgical care in underserved countries. In his spare time, he relishes adventures with his family, as well as working towards his goal of becoming an iron-distance triathlete.

Dr. Fante is board certified and a member of many state, national and international medical societies. He is a clinical assistant professor in the University of Colorado Medical School. He has received national awards and has been recognized as one of the nation’s “Best Doctors” by several national organizations including Who’s Who. Dr. Fante’s affiliations also include:

• Fellow and current Secretary of Education for the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surger
• Fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Board member of the Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Dr. Fante graduated from Boston University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Arizona. He completed his training in oculofacial plastic surgery at the University of Michigan, one of the premier institutions in the country for oculofacial plastic surgery. After serving for 4 years in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, he moved to Denver in 1998. He is married and has three sons. He enjoys skiing, bicycling, fly fishing, and reading fiction and non-fiction.

For over a decade, Dr. Fante has been teaching the art and science of cosmetic and reconstructive oculoplastic surgery to doctors from the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America. Dr. Fante also has served on several mission trips to bring free reconstructive surgery to impoverished areas in Latin America, most recently to Peru, and also to Honduras and Colombia. In Denver, he volunteers as a specialty reconstructive surgeon at Denver Health Medical Center. Our practice is a proud sponsor of Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado, and also Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust and National Jewish Medical Research Center.

John G. Oster, M.D., FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist with extensive training in refractive surgery. He has been recognized as one of the top five percent of refractive surgeons nationwide.

Dr. Oster earned his medical degree from the Albany Medical College and was Chief Resident during his ophthalmology training at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Oster continued with sub-specialty training and completed a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the distinguished New England Eye Center in Boston, Massachusetts. While in Boston, Dr. Oster was appointed as a clinical instructor in ophthalmology at the Tufts University School of Medicine and began using the Excimer Laser to treat corneal disorders in 1995.

Dr. Oster has been a participant in the CRS multi-center study to evaluate LASIK for the surgical treatment of myopia. Additionally, he was chosen to be a principal investigator for the LaserSight FDA LASIK clinical trial for myopia or hyperopia, with and without astigmatism. Dr. Oster has been named a VISX Star Surgeon based on performance as a refractive surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Oster practices as a cornea specialist accepting referrals for corneal transplantation and cataract surgery.

Dr. Oster has taught several courses on laser vision correction and has lectured at national meetings. He serves on TLC’s surgeon pillar advisory board and also serves as a proctoring surgeon for other TLC surgeons.

Dr. Oster is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and The Colorado Ophthalmological Society. He holds medical licenses in Colorado, California and Montana and was the first surgeon to perform LASIK at TLC’s center in Massachusetts.

James Patterson, M.D., FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has been performing refractive procedures for more than 20 years.

Dr. Patterson earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado in 1981. After serving his medical internship year in Christchurch, New Zealand, he returned to the University of Colorado to complete his residency in Ophthalmology.

Dr. Patterson is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado. He is a member and past president of the Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and American College of Surgeons.