Talley Eye Institute

Our Physicians

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  Drew Sommerville, M.D.

  Dr. Drew Sommerville has been a vitreoretinal specialist at Talley Eye Institute since 2009. Dr. Sommerville focuses on the management of medical and surgical diseases of the retina. His clinical interests include the management of macular degeneration, ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, and vascular occlusions with the use of lasers and/or injections. His surgical interests include the repair of retinal detachments, the treatment of retinal surface disease (such as epiretinal membranes and macular holes), removal of symptomatic floaters, removal of subretinal blood, and surgical treatment of diabetic retinopathy, among others. Dr. Sommerville enjoys being on the cutting edge of technology, whether that is via utilizing ultrawide field imaging in clinic to ensure the correct diagnosis, administering the latest anti-VEGF medicine to treat retinal diseases, or helping develop new and innovative surgical instruments in the operating room. Dr. Sommerville grew up in Beardstown, Illinois, and became interested in ophthalmology while observing the work of his father, an optometrist, who practiced in Beardstown for 30 years. Drew graduated from Illinois State University summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He then completed both his medical internship and residency in ophthalmology at the University of Missouri. Dr. Sommerville finished his training by completing a two-year vitreoretinal fellowship at the University of Kentucky and Retina Associates of Kentucky, which is regarded as one of the best retina fellowship programs in the country. Dr. Sommerville has written articles and given presentations on diverse topics ranging from the initial development and use of 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy to studying the effects of anti-VEGF injections on the retinal nerve fiber layer. He authored one of the definitive journal articles on small gauge vitrectomy for symptomatic floater removal. His articles have been published in Ophthalmology, Retina, Clinical Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. Dr. Sommerville has presented his research and given talks at several major conferences, including the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American College of Eye Surgeons, Ocular Imaging Conference, Hawaiian Eye, and the American Society of Retinal Specialists annual meetings. Dr. Sommerville has been a speaker and/or a consultant for several ophthalmic companies over the years, including McKesson Corporation, Bausch & Lomb, Covenant Surgical Partners, Synergetics, Carl Zeiss Meditec, and Vortex Surgical. Furthermore, he is proud to be the president of Talley Eye Institute and the medical director of our adjacent surgery center, Valley Surgery Center. Additionally, Dr. Sommerville is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has received many accolades over the years, most recently being named one of the top ophthalmologists in Evansville, Indiana. Drew’s outside interests include cycling, exercising, cooking, and traveling. However, Drew states, “My greatest joy comes with spending time with my wife, Heather, and our two children.” Drew and his family enjoy residing in Newburgh.

  Link: Drew Sommerville, M.D.

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  Andrew Strand, D.O.

  Dr. Strand completed his undergraduate studies in 2005 at the University of Minnesota with a degree in Nutrition Science. He spent the following four years coaching wrestling, working in the food industry in research and product development, and teaching. In 2009 he returned to the University of Minnesota and completed a Masters degree in Nutrition Science and Biostatistics. During that time he spent his research focused on the weight-loss behaviors of NCAA wrestlers. In 2013 he graduated from medical school at Des Moines University with an excellence award in the field of ophthalmology. He completed his intern year and ophthalmology residency at Ohio University-Doctors Hospital in 2017, followed by a 2 year surgical retina fellowship at the Retina Institute of California in Los Angeles. Dr. Strand has been published in The Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology and the International Journal on Orbital Disorders for ocular traumatology and new techniques in treatment of orbital compartment syndrome. During his fellowship, Dr. Strand was a clinical investigator for research trials in diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, and wet age-related macular degeneration. He’s given presentations at the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology annual meeting and a poster presentation at the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Strand is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He specializes in the management of diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, vascular occlusive disease and ocular inflammation. His surgical interest include repair of retinal detachments, epimacular membranes, macular holes, and visually significant floaters. Dr. Strand’s wife is Dr. Kimberly Fisher, a rheumatologist with Deaconess Clinic, who is an Indiana native and fourth generation physician. They have one daughter and enjoy immersing her in all the activities Evansville has to offer. In his free time, Dr. Strand enjoys amateur wrestling, disc golf, hiking/camping and, if his thumb is green enough, gardening.

  Link: Andrew Strand, D.O.

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  Thomas Brummer, M.D.

  Dr. Thomas Brummer is a board certified comprehensive ophthalmologist who joined Talley Eye Institute in 2006. Over the past decade, he has strived to provide the tri-state with the highest quality general ophthalmologic care with a practice emphasis on cataract surgery and the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma. He has been certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology since 2004. Dr. Brummer was born and raised in Florida where he attended the University of Miami for both his undergraduate training in biomedical engineering as well as medical school from which he graduated in 1998. He then completed his internship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, followed by ophthalmology residency training at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, completed in 2002. Dr. Brummer then practiced ophthalmology for four years in northwestern Ohio while his wife attended dental school. They both moved back to her home town of Evansville in 2006. In his spare time, Dr. Brummer enjoys reading, movies, travel, and spending time with his wife and son.

  Link: Thomas Brummer, M.D.

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  Dwight Silvera, M.D., FRCSC, DABO

  Dr. Dwight Silvera specializes in cornea, cataract and laser refractive surgery. He completed his fellowship-training in corneal transplants and laser refractive surgery at the renowned University of Iowa, which is consistently ranked in the top five ophthalmology institutions in the country. Dr. Silvera is board certified in the United States with the American Board of Ophthalmology and certified in Canada with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He has participated in various research projects and has written articles for scientific publications, including the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. He has also given presentations at various events and major ophthalmology conferences, such as the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Silvera finished in the 99th percentile of his OKAP (Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program) exam across North America and has received numerous awards in recognition of his accomplishments. Dr. Silvera is committed to excellence in all aspects of patient care. He offers the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options for cataract surgery including premium lenses that correct astigmatism and those that provide both reading and distance vision known as multifocal intraocular lenses which can be inserted at the time of surgery. He also performs LASIK surgery using Wavefront Technology and the Intralase Method, which provide superior results over standard LASIK. Dr. Silvera is the only surgeon in the Tri-State area who performs Corneal Crosslinking for keratoconus using the FDA approved Crosslinking procedure. Regarding cornea surgery, he performs a wide variety of procedures including DSEK, the partial-thickness cornea transplant for patients with Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy. Dr. Silvera lives in the Evansville area with his wife and two children. In addition to time spent with family, he enjoys golf, cycling, and running.

  Link: Dwight Silvera, M.D., FRCSC, DABO

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  Michael A. Morris, M.D., FACS

  Dr. Michael Morris joined TEI in 2019 as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. His main practice focus is cataract surgery offering patients the most up-to-date lens implant options. This includes astigmatism-correcting Toric lenses as well as extended depth of focus lenses including Restor, Tecnis and Panoptix Multifocal lenses. He also provides a full range of general adult medical and surgical eye care that includes evaluating and treating patients with dry eye, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and various other eye disorders. Dr. Morris completed his medical training at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He performed his internship and ophthalmology training at one of the top programs in the country at Baylor Scott & White/Texas A&M in Temple, Texas where he served as Chief Resident. He became Board certified in Ophthalmology in 2012. He is also a professional member of the American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, Missouri Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons, and the Christian Ophthalmology Society. Dr. Morris grew up in Southern Illinois and is glad to be back home to serve as an eye surgeon after working for 8 years in Southeastern Missouri. In his spare time, he loves spending time with his wife and six children as well as biking, swimming, hunting, and medical missions. Dr. Morris and his family are active members of their local church, and he has participated in multiple Christian ophthalmology mission trips to Haiti.

  Link: Michael A. Morris, M.D., FACS

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  Joseph Carr, M.D.

  Dr. Joseph Carr is a general ophthalmologist with interests in the treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, and oculoplastics procedures. He hails from Sheridan, Indiana and is excited to be back in the Midwest. Dr. Carr received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University and graduated from medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He completed his internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. In his spare time, Dr. Carr enjoys running, travelling, and spending time with his wife, Kylie, and their bulldog, Bruce.

  Link: Joseph Carr, M.D.

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  Nathaniel Pelsor, O.D., FAAO

  Dr. Nathan Pelsor, a native of Indiana, graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry in May of 2010 with high honors. Prior to graduation, he completed rotations at El Centro de Rehabilitación Visual in Guanajuato, Mexico, IU School of Optometry Clinics in Bloomington, Indiana, Eye Surgeons of Indiana in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Bowersox Vision Center in Shelbyville, Kentucky. After graduation, he completed a thirteen month residency in ocular disease at Bennett and Bloom Eye Centers in Louisville, Kentucky. He has participated in educational and clinical seminars with major ophthalmic companies and has presented his research at American Academy of Optometry and American Optometric Association national meetings. While in optometry school, Dr. Pelsor served as associate instructor in multiple courses, ranging from geometric optics to clinical science, and continues to be an active member in the academic community through his attainment of a fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry and as director of the Talley Eye Institute externship program, serving as adjunct faculty for multiple schools and colleges of optometry. Dr. Pelsor is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society as well as the Kentucky Optometric Association, the Indiana Optometric Association, and the American Optometric Association. Dr. Pelsor and his wife reside in Newburgh with their two sons and two dogs. They share a love of music, enjoy being outdoors, and serve as deacons at their church.

  Link: Nathaniel Pelsor, O.D., FAAO

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  Monica Kalia, O.D.

  Dr. Monica Kalia received her Bachelors of Science degree from University of Indianapolis. In 2010, she received her Doctorate of Optometry from the prestigious Indiana University School of Optometry. Prior to graduation, she completed clinical rotations at Eye Surgeons of Indiana in Indianapolis, Dayton VAMC, and Aran Eye Associates in Miami, FL. After graduation, Dr. Kalia continued her training at Indiana University completing a rigorous one-year combined residency in Family Practice and Pediatric Eye Care. Prior to joining Talley Eye Institute, she worked at an ophthalmology practice in central Illinois. Dr. Kalia is an experienced optometrist with an energetic passion for helping patients see the world clearly. As an optometrist, she provides non-surgical diagnostic and therapeutic care of the eye including medical eye examinations for diabetes, pre and post operative cataract care, treatment of minor eye injuries including foreign body removal, and comprehensive eye examinations. Dr. Kalia is certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and is a member of the American Optometric Association. Dr. Kalia lives in Evansville with her husband and daughter. Dr. Kalia is on the board of directors at the Children's Museum of Evansville in the education committee. In her spare time when she is not seeing patients, she enjoys running, traveling, and cheering on IU basketball!

  Link: Monica Kalia, O.D.

• Rachel Rexing-Thacker, O.D.

  Dr. Rexing received both her undergraduate degree and her Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University. Prior to graduation, she completed rotations at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL, the Evansville VA Health Care Center, and the IUSO Atwater Eyecare Center in Bloomington. Following graduation, Dr. Rexing completed a one-year residency at the St. Louis VA Medical Center. Prior to joining Talley Eye Institute, she continued seeing veterans within the VA health care system. Dr. Rexing is a member of the Indiana Optometric Association. Dr. Rexing provides non-surgical diagnostic and therapeutic eye care including comprehensive eye examinations, diabetic eye examinations, and pre and post-operative cataract care. She will be seeing patients at both our main office in Evansville and our office in Marion, Illinois. Dr. Rexing lives in Evansville with her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys CrossFit and traveling.

  Link: Rachel Rexing-Thacker, O.D.