My name is Kayla Diez, and I am an ophthalmic technician here at Aurora LASIK. I’ve only been here a few months, but I’ve been in eye care for about two and a half years now, and I absolutely love it. I have been in glasses and contacts since I was in 5th grade. It started out with sports where I couldn’t see the ball anymore, and that’s an issue! I’ve always wanted to get LASIK done so that’s what I am finally doing today, going 20/20 in 2020 - it's the perfect year - and I’ve been looking forward to it for years just like everyone else that has looked into doing LASIK. I am super pumped.
WHY LASIK NOW?
With all the things that are going on, and with essential workers having to wear a lot more protective gear especially the masks, if you have glasses there is a tendency to have your glasses fog up, which can get very very irritating. I think it’s the perfect time, so that I am working to the best of my ability with the patients that I have here and in order to get through the exams as best as we can.
POST LASIK… HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW?
Before the surgery, I wasn’t that nervous at all. Of course, my nerves totally picked up right before the surgery, but I knew the team I was working with and I knew what good hands I was in. When I went home, I was expecting to be in some pain but honestly it wasn’t even that bad. The surgery itself wasn’t anything too uncomfortable. They talk you all the way through it. The instructions at home were super easy - to go to sleep, to keep yourself comfortable… and I was. I actually came in the next morning and worked my shift. So I was completely comfortable.
The best thing since I got LASIK is actually kind of the smaller things, like not having to wear glasses to put makeup on, or if my husband is telling me to look at something on the TV I don’t have to say, “Oh hold on! Let me put my glasses on!” Small things have been the biggest change for me. Obviously the big things like driving without glasses or the irritation of contacts every day have been amazing too. My vision is 20/15! I have never seen 20/15 in my life, it is awesome. I am thrilled to have made the decision to have LASIK, it’s been awesome. To anyone that’s on the fence about getting LASIK, I have to say just take the plunge. This is the best decision I have ever made and I know that I am a technician here so everyone might think that maybe my opinion is a little biased, but it truly has been life changing. Honestly I can’t say amazing enough!
Hello! I am the Director of Smiles for patients. You will be greeted by me the second you step into the clinic. I am also in charge of the snacks, so I am basically everyone’s best friend.
LIKES: Mayo, a hot day at the beach, music, COFFEE
DISLIKES: Cold weather, bugs and needles.. bleck!
Thank you so much!
Leah Rudd, Patient Counselor
I will help explain procedures, ease nerves, and schedule procedures…. and goof off on TikTok on behalf of Aurora LASIK. I’m ready to help you get rid of your glasses or contacts!
LIKES: I like candy and ice cream. I LOVE anything Disney (especially the music. I will belt it all day/everyday)
DISLIKES: I dislike being out of candy and ice cream!
Ashley Scott, Refractive Technician
I will make you laugh… just kidding but you will hear my laugh around the office and my coworkers say it’s contagious (and I have to agree). I am in and out of the office working hard to help achieve your goals of clearer vision. I’m not super Cornea but I do love a good eye joke.
LIKES: Camping, sunflowers, goats, going to concerts, spending time with my family and napping with my dogs
DISLIKES: Spiders, pickles, and folding laundry
Krystle Clement, Lead Ophthalmic Technician
I pretty much run the show… I’ve been here so long (14 years)! You will find me assisting Dr. Rudd in surgery and keeping my Technicians motivated with inspirational mirror quotes.
LIKES: Spending time with my family and animals. Coloring my hair and doing my nails. Not leaving my house.
DISLIKES: Close-minded people and I don’t like my hands touched ewwwwwww I can feel your fingerprints.
Nicole Markowitz, Director
I am the commander and chief (don’t tell Dr. Rudd)! You will see me buzzing around the office and am here to help you through your vision correction journey. My team is absolutely AMAZING and will make sure your care and experience is their top priority. I look forward to seeing you in our office.
LIKES: Travel, strong coffee, motorcycle rides, spa treatments, hiking, and a clean house.
DISLIKES: Horseradish, clutter, having to ask people twice, Gin and weak coffee.
Dr. Jay Rudd
At Aurora LASIK, you’re not just choosing the best technology, you’re choosing the right surgeon and eye care team. Dr. Jay Rudd has been in private practice as a fellowship-trained cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon since 2000 and has performed thousands of vision correction procedures for the residents of Olympia, Lacey and beyond.
Intuitive and meticulous, Dr. Rudd is only satisfied with the best results possible within his operating room. He is his patients best advocate and prides himself on providing them excellent eye care. His caring and warm disposition is the foundation of strong bonds formed with those he cares for.
Dr. Anthony Grillo
Dr. Anthony Grillo is proud to have joined the fantastic team at Aurora LASIK in 2022. His passion is to provide the absolute best results possible. His attention to detail, the stellar Aurora team, and the state-of-the-art resources at Aurora LASIK allow him to provide his patients with both fantastic care and outcomes.
Dr. Grillo became fascinated with microsurgery and the amazing results that eye surgery could provide. In 2018, Mason Eye Institute bestowed upon him the Faculty Teaching Award. Dr. Grillo returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2019 and joined a private practice in Eugene, Oregon prior to moving to the Olympia/Lacey area in the summer of 2022.
He is joined by his wife Kasumi, and his children Mila, Maya, and Michael. Dr. Grillo’s favorite pastimes include aquatic activities such as scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. In his free time, he also enjoys spending quality time with his family, traveling, hunting, and cooking.
Chanteria Puryear, Patient Counselor
I am the patient counselor at Aurora LASIK. I’m here to help you along your way to freedom from glasses and guarantee to give you a good laugh along the way. I’m also a Master Esthetician so I’m obsessed with skincare and self-care!
LIKES: New adventures, laughter, skincare, family and friends and of course a great glass of wine.
DISLIKES: Traffic
Jasper Smiley, Patient Services Representative
I am the first impression out of the gate! I will set the initial tone for your visit, treat you like the queen or king you are and ensure all your information, appointments and care are handled promptly. All while having some incredible conversations before you head to the back with our amazing staff!
LIKES: Water, Time with my family, Mini cows, Adventures.
DISLIKES: Bad drivers, Close-mindedness, Overly negative energy, Large crowds
Katie Vira, Refractive Technician
I will try and not make a spectacle of myself but in all seriousness I’m really excited to be a part of your vision correction journey! I will be here to help you during your vision correction procedure and assist Dr. Rudd in the surgery suite. If you need anything during your time at Aurora or beyond please let me know.
LIKES: Kayaking or anything water related, caffeine, hanging out with family, friends, and my puppy!
DISLIKES: Waking up early, snakes, rodents, and mushrooms!
Randi Angwood, Refractive Technician
I will welcome you back to start your exam and get scans of your eyes. You will find me getting things ready for clinic for the day or prepping things for surgery. I enjoy helping people and will be asking how we can help you achieve your vision goals. Enjoy watching patients vision journeys.
LIKES: Spending time with family and friends. Camping, boating and hiking.
DISLIKES: Negativity, mice and bad coffee
Tanya Klemmer, Patient Service Representative
I will be the one who greets you with a friendly smile when you first come into Aurora LASIK. I will check you in for your appointment and am here to assist with anything you may need to help your experience be AMAZING, so please don’t hesitate to ask!
DISLIKES: Heights, Snakes, Spiders, Rain (LOL), Mushrooms, Olives, and Pineapple
Dakota Saldomridge, Refractive Technician
I will be one of the welcoming faces that will be preparing you for your visit with the Doctors, I’m a little socially awkward and will fill our time babbling about the weather and your upcoming plans. Eye wish you the best!
LIKES: Spending time with my husband and family, playing video games, reading and long walks on the beach.
DISLIKES: Spiders, rain/cloudy weather, and waking up to a cold house.
Candace Galway, COA
I will assist you on your vision journey from taking your scans to assisting Dr. Rudd in surgery. I guess you could say I am pretty important but I can still make a lot of jokes about eyes… I have a Vitreous humor.
LIKES: Iced coffee, reading on the back porch, exploring new places
DISLIKES: Loud noises, spiders/bugs
Mary Gadsden, Refractive Technician
I will be the one who helps you through your consultation, evaluation and after surgery appointments! Basically I will walk you through the whole process, except surgery, we will leave that up to Dr. Rudd. Can’t wait to help you through your vision correction journey!!
LIKES: Anything Outdoors! Exploring, My dogs & Anyone else’s dogs!
DISLIKES: Pessimists, snakes, anything closely related to snakes.
Dr. Angela Triebold
Dr. Angela Triebold received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University in Oregon. Prior to coming to Aurora LASIK, Dr. Triebold helped establish the warfighter Regractive Eye Surgery Clinic at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fr. Lewis in 2002. She continued to practice at Madigan for 16 years, ensuring combat vision readiness for service members who had LASIK, PRK, or ICL surgery. During her tenure there, Dr. Triebold served as research coordinator for the refractive program and helped train opthalmology residents and optometry externs. She has also practiced full-scope primary care optometry in addition to refractive surgery co-management.
Compassionate, dedicated and with a positive attitude, Dr. Triebold believes that communication is key to providing quality patient care and building trust in a patient-physician relationship. She loves living in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys hiking, camping with her family and friends, playing the piano, and cheering on the Seattle Seahawks.