Heather Atcherson, OD
Dr. Heather Atcherson joined the practice in June of 2017 and is Co-Owner with her father, Dr. Ray Atcherson. She is a Broadneck High School alum, and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia. In 2015, she graduated summa cum laude with her Doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN.
Following graduation, she completed a rigorous Primary Care Residency at the Memphis VA Medical Center and then worked at a group of private Optometry practices in Memphis until 2017.
Since returning home, Dr. Heather has become very active with the Maryland Optometric Association. She is the current 1st Vice President and sits on the Board of Directors. In 2020, she received the “Young OD of the Year” award for Maryland Optometry.
She and her husband welcomed a son, Victor, in November 2023 and he is taking up all of their free time in the best of ways!
Genevieve Gogerdchi, OD
Dr. Genevieve joined our practice in August of 2022.
Dr. Genevieve Gogerdchi is originally from Florida, but has made Maryland her home for over a decade. She received her Doctorate of Optometry from Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, graduating with honors in Glaucoma services and Pediatrics. She previously spent 3.5 years working with a large interdisciplinary medical practice in Baltimore, extensively in ocular disease. She has a special clinical interest in providing eye care to children with over 10 years of experience in the Pediatric Specialty.
She serves as the Education Committee Chair for the Maryland Optometric Association and as a Leadership Institute recipient for the American Optometric Association.
Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter and exercising with her two Italian greyhound pups.
Gina Frankford, OD
We welcome Dr. Frankford in September of 2024!! Dr. Gina Frankford is originally from Texas, but she has called Maryland her home for over a decade. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas and her Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry.
After graduation, she briefly worked for her local optometrist and mentor before moving to Maryland. Once in Maryland, she spent the next 10 years working in a large, multi-doctor private practice. She has spent the last 2 years working in a more corporate setting.
Dr. Frankford is a member of the Maryland Optometric Association as well as the American Optometric Association.
When not "doctoring", she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two young children. Dr. Gina is also an avid baker, but has to keep a close watch on her two Great Danes, Penny and Pearl, so they don't swipe the baked goods off the countertops!
Ray Atcherson, OD
Dr. Ray Atcherson graduated with honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1978. After focusing in pediatric vision care for five years, he opened Bay Hills Eye Care in 1983. After 42 years of exemplary Optometric care, Dr. Ray is officially retired from patient care.
His main focus is the Co-Owner of the practice. He fills his free time with boating, fishing, hunting, and being Mr. Fix-it!
Jamie - Practice Administrator
Jamie has been with BHEC since July 2023. Along with over 15 years of Ophthalmology experience and a Master's Degree from Towson University, she is excited to transition to Optometry at BHEC!
Jamie is fully trained in all levels of patient care from pretesting to contact lens training classes to assisting with minor surgical procedures. She has taken over our medical and vision billing, as well as all HR and management duties. Jamie is a go-getter and if there is a problem, she will work diligently until there is a solution.
Jamie is a people person who enjoys dogs, nature and music.
Shani - Patient Coordinator
Shani began her career in the optical field with Bay Hills Eye Care in 2009. She is the smiling face that greets patients on arrival, assists patients with appointment scheduling, authorizes insurance prior to your appointment, finalizes your visit and answers all of the general questions that come her way. Multitasker extraordinaire!!!
With over 14 years greeting you from our front desk, Shani is proficient in all aspects of running the practice and is ready, willing and able to assist you.
Tiffiney - Optician
Tiffiney joined BHEC in September of 2021. She has spent over 13 years in the optical industry, as an Optician, Optical Manager, and Optical Trainer. She loves working with people and loves the chance to find the perfect fitting frame for each individual patient.
Tiffiney is skilled in taking accurate measurements for optimal vision, and is great at explaining which lens features fit best with your lifestyle. Your enjoyment in your new eyewear is her motivation! Stop in anytime for an adjustment, cleaning or tune-up and she will get your glasses back to 100!
Wendy - Optical Lab Manager
Wendy joined the team in May of 2023. She comes to us with 12 years of experience in the Optical industry. She is incredibly organized and thorough, which makes her a wonderful asset to our busy office. From the time an Optical order is created, Wendy works with the labs and insurance companies to order your glasses, and keeps track of all jobs from start to finish. Everything is checked in upon arrival for accuracy, and at pick-up, each frame is experly adjusted to make them a perfect fit. She is able to critically monitor status reports to ensure timely and accurate arrival of your eyewear. She is also great at frame and lens selection in our Optical!
Wendy is a sports fan, likes to travel, and loves spending time with her grandkids.
Nick - Optometric Technician
Nick is a new face in our practice since 2023. He joins us with Optical experience from LensCrafters and has enjoyed transitioning to the technician side of Optometry. He makes the bright flashes from the Optomap and the air puff from the eye pressure machine somehow seem fun!
He studied Graphic Design at Frostburg University. In his free time, he enjoys musical theater and Jeet Kune Do (just ask to see his roundhouse kicks!).
Erika - Technician/Admin Assistant
Erika joined our practice in 2018 after starting her career at an Optometry office in South Carolina. After a 1.5 year hiatus to become a mom to her adorable daughter, she will be back working with us part-time. She will assist with patient pre-testing, contact lens training classes, answering phones, scheduling appointments, and all the other "fun" office tasks we throw her way.
We are thrilled to have her back!!