Dr. David Karpik

Dr. Karpik earned his undergraduate degrees from University of Dayton and then his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University. He joined the team at Kenai Vision Center in 2014 in a move from a multidisciplinary ophthalmologist led practice in Fairbanks. Residency-trained in specialty contact lens management and primary care through Pacific University after externship rotations in the Indian Health system, surgical ophthalmology, and university health systems at OSU, he thrives on the challenge of difficult and medically necessary contact lens fits as well as myopia management and dry eye disease treatment. Additional post-grad training certifications include laser and in-office surgical programs through Northeastern State University.

Dr. Karpik is active in the advancement of optometry towards the goal of ensuring eye care is available to all Americans, regardless of status or geography. To further this goal, he is an active member of the American Optometric Association, and is on the board of directors for The Great Western Council of Optometry. He has also served eleven years on the Alaska Optometric Association board, several of which included the role of president. Awards received for clinical care include the Alcon Clinical Excellence Award and he was the 2020 recipient of the Early Professional Achievement Award from The Ohio State University.

In his free time, Dr. Karpik enjoys spending time with his wife and two children in Soldotna and Kenai, alpine skiing, and working on vintage automobiles.

Dr. Kathleen Rice

Diplomate, American Board of Optometry. Dr. Rice earned her Doctorate from The Ohio State University in 2005, and her residency certification from Indiana University in 2006. She joined the team at Kenai Vision Center in 2014 and is one of the few optometrists in the state who is both board certified and residency trained.

Dr. Rice is an active member of the American Optometric Association as well as the Alaska Optometric Association. In 2022, she was appointed by the Governor of Alaska to serve on the Alaska Board of Examiners in Optometry. Work experience includes cancer research at the CDC, The Ohio State University Neuro-ophthalmology department, the Hershel Williams Veterans Affairs Medical Center and an optometry/ophthalmology practice in Fairbanks. She has provided needed eye care to underserved regions of the world through Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity in El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Panama.

Leisure time is often spent traveling, baking, gardening and enjoying time with family; Dr Karpik and their two kids.

Dr. Chris Charlton

Dr. Charlton, originally from a small town just outside Nashville Tennessee, earned his undergraduate Bachelor's of Biology Health Science at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville Tennessee, and then a Bachelors of Vision Science and his Doctorate of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Dr. Charlton is passionate about serving the community and providing vision care to underserved areas. He spent six months in Bethel, Alaska interning at the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, providing eye care rural Alaskan villages, as well as practicing at the YKHC hospital. Dr. Charlton has also provided care internationally through Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity in Ecuador. In his free time Dr. Charlton enjoys traveling and outdoors activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping.