Excellence In Eye Care At Costco Adds A Second Eye Doctor 

The addition of Dr. J. Carson Woolwine (left) to the practice of Dr. David Scamard (right) at Excellence in Eye Care at Costco means more hours and appointments for customers looking for great optometry service. (Photo: Charmaine George)

As life gets back to a more normal routine as the Covid-19 pandemic finally fades, independent Doctor of Optometry David Scamard, O.D., is pleased that his Excellence In Eye Care is growing. More and more patients are discovering and appreciating both his office’s convenience and, well, excellence.

Five years ago, Dr. Scamard moved his Excellence In Eye Care, LLC, to inside the Costco next to the Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56. Prior to that, his office was located a couple of miles west off of S.R. 54 in Lutz.

Now, J. Carson Woolwine, O.D. — a 2016 graduate of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry — has joined Dr. Scamard at the practice. 

The addition of Dr. Woolwine has led to expanded availability for appointments. Excellence in Eye Care is now open six days a week, where it previously was open only five. 

A second exam room also was outfitted, so that two patients can be seen simultaneously. Both exam rooms offer top-of-the-line equipment with state-of-the-art technology.

Offering the latest technology has always been important to Dr. Scamard. He and Dr. Woolwine use a high-tech retinal imager to view the internal structures of the eyes. They also use a digital refractor, which is faster, more accurate and more efficient than the old-style refracting devices. Many patients also like the digital refractor because they don’t usually have to have their eyes dilated.

All of the equipment is electronic and controlled by a computer. It ties in with the practice’s electronic medical records, too, for a streamlined and convenient patient experience.

Costco shoppers have gotten used to seeing Dr. Scamard over the last five years, but many of his patients have known him much longer. He opened his first private practice on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa in 2002 and has taken care of patients in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Land O’Lakes ever since.

Dr. Scamard earned his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa and received his O.D. degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

The combination of his decades of experience and commitment to keeping his practice on the cutting edge of eye care technology has allowed Dr. Scamard to help some patients when others couldn’t.

Mike Roth says he was born with an incurable virus in his right eye, but for most of the 29 years of his life, it didn’t really bother him. That all changed last year when he started having trouble with his left eye.

He went to his ophthalmologist, who couldn’t figure out the problem and sent him to a specialist. The specialist then sent him to another specialist, who sent him to an eye institute in Miami.  

Fortunately for Mike, he happened to be playing ultimate Frisbee with a teammate whose wife worked for Dr. Scamard. She told the doctor about Mike’s frustrating issue, and Dr. Scamard offered to take a look.

Although Mike did also see the specialist in Miami, he visited Dr. Scamard, too, and both doctors came to the same conclusion.

“It turns out the virus had switched eyes and began to attack the optic nerve in the other eye,” Mike explains. Eventually, his retina detached, causing blindness, and he had to have surgery to repair it. The surgeon suggested he be fitted for contacts, which was basically a lifelong dream come true for Mike.

“I’ve worn glasses every day since I was five years old and no one would fit me for contacts because they weren’t sure how the virus would react,” says Mike. But, Dr. Scamard said he was a good candidate for contacts and was willing to help him. “That was something I was crazy excited for.”

Mike had his surgery a little over a year ago and has now been wearing contact lenses without any problems for eight months. 

“My experience (with Excellence in Eye Care) has been nothing short of incredible,” Mike says, explaining that Dr. Scamard found answers for him when many other doctors gave up. He also truly cared about Mike’s situation and his well-being. “Dr. Scamard has personally reached out to me a couple of times just to see how things are going.”

Scamard explains that he is able to help people like Mike — and many others — because he and Dr. Woolwine offer the latest innovations in contact lenses. 

“There’s even a contact now that helps prevent bacterial growth, which makes it healthier for the eye,” Dr. Scamard explains. “There has been a constant improvement in the technology and materials we have to work with.”

The entire process from eye exam to putting the glasses on your face or contacts in your eyes can be completed right there in Costco. You don’t need to be a Costco member to visit Excellence in Eyecare and have an exam, but you do need a membership to purchase your glasses and contact lenses from the wholesale giant’s extensive eyewear department, located right next to the office.

Get Those Eyes Examined!

Excellence In Eye Care currently is seeing many patients who have missed their annual eye exams due to the pandemic. Dr. Scamard encourages everyone who hasn’t had their eyes checked lately to make an appointment. 

“The health of your eyes is very important,” he says, “and we, of course, practice all the guidelines for protection to make sure our patients are safe and we’re safe, too.”

So, whether you’re in need of an annual eye exam or your first exam in a long time, Dr. Scamard and Dr. Woolwine invite you to visit their convenient location for top-notch care. 

“We always strive to make all of our patients happy and make the experience as pleasant as possible,” says Dr. Scamard. “We make sure their eyes are healthy and that they can see their best.”

Excellence In Eye Care is located inside the Costco at 2225 Grand Cypress Dr., on the south side of S.R. 56. The office is open Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m.–7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. For more information, call (813) 279-7038 or visit ExcellenceInEyeCare.net.

Education Notebook: Four New Tampa Schools Get New Principals

New Tampa says good-bye to several beloved and long-serving principals at the end of the 2021-22 school year, including Chiles Elementary’s Dr. Teri Evans and Benito Middle School’s John Sanders, who are both retiring, Liberty Middle’s James Amiratti and Maryann Lippek, who is moving from Tampa Palms Elementary (TPE) to Schmidt Elementary in Brandon.

Lippek has been at TPE since the school opened in 2004, and has served as its principal since 2014. She is being replaced by Angela Gluth, an assistant principal from Heritage Elementary.

Frank Diaz is coming over from Webb Middle to replace Amiratti.

At Chiles, Evans will be replaced by Todd Connolly, who is moving from Riverhills Elementary in Temple Terrace.

Evans became a teacher after raising her kids as a stay-at-home mom. First entering the classroom at 40 years old, she then spent her entire 24-year career in New Tampa. She taught at Chiles, Hunter’s Green and Pride elementaries, then returned to Chiles as principal nine years ago.

“I’ll miss the whole Chiles community — the families, the kids, and the teachers,” Evans says. “It’s the best place, my home, and I’ve made lifelong friends (here).”

She looks forward to a change of pace, spending time with her grandkids, reading and traveling.

Evans adds that the school will be getting a new air conditioning system over the summer, so the building will be closed. The office will temporarily move to Tampa Palms, which is where new principal Connolly will work until the new A/C upgrade is complete.

Meanwhile, at Benito, Brent Williams takes over as principal for the retiring Sanders. Williams was most recently principal at Memorial Middle School in Tampa.

Williams has been an educator for 27 years, previously working in Alachua and Miami Dade counties before moving to Hillsborough in 2006. Over the course of his career, he has served as a teacher, peer evaluator, assistant principal and principal.

“I truly appreciate and admire the work that has been done here by Mr. Sanders,” says Williams. “I look forward to working with an exceptional group of faculty and staff members to continue the great tradition of excellence at Benito Middle School.” 

Williams says he comes from a family of educators and that his wife Sonja also is a teacher in Hillsborough County.

He expects to be highly visible to students in the hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, and at the school’s extracurricular activities, and says that his door will be always open to them. 

“I want them to think outside the box and have a voice on what their experience here at Benito will look like,” he says.

Math teacher Daniel Gostkowski says he and many others are excited to welcome their new leader to the school.

 â€śHe seems very genuine,” Gostkowski says of Williams. “He genuinely cares about the kids, the community and the people in the building.”

New Tampa Again Accepts County PTA/PTSA Awards

The Hillsborough County Council of PTAs/PTSAs announced this year’s countywide award winners at a ceremony on May 19. Several New Tampa schools took home trophies for their efforts this year.

Freedom High’s Christina Finn won Volunteer of the Year and assistant principal Jenna Lamour won Administrator of the Year.

The school also took home an award in the Educational Program category, and Freedom also won the high school category for Top Community Partner, which honored Infinite Edge Learning Center (also located in Tampa Palms) for its support of the school.

The Top Community Partner award at the elementary school level went to Hunter’s Green, which nominated the Hunter’s Green Homeowners Association.

Wharton High also took home some honors, as school nurse Angela Strahl won Non-Instructional Person of the Year and Crystal LeFebvre, culture and climate resource teacher, was named Instructional Person of the Year. 

Wharton also won in the Health & Safety category for its comprehensive support of the school’s nurses and clinic throughout the year.

Wharton’s 2022 Valedictorian Will Stay Local For College 

When Sonya Patel walks across the stage as Wharton High’s Class of 2022 valedictorian during the school’s graduation ceremony on May 25, she will do so with its highest-ever GPA — 9.40.

Sonya didn’t set out to break any records. In fact, being valedictorian wasn’t even her goal. 

“But,” she says, “I did want to push myself to do my very best.”

She wanted to learn as much as she could and take advantage of every opportunity placed in front of her. Her incredible work ethic led her to set that new high mark for future Wharton students to aspire to beat.

Sonya spent all of her school years in New Tampa, starting at Pride Elementary and going to Benito Middle School before attending Wharton.

When she graduates, she’ll stay close to home. She plans to attend the University of South Florida in Tampa and major in biomedical sciences on her way to a career as a doctor.

“I plan to apply to medical school in the future,” Sonya says. “I currently have fields that interest me but I’m keeping an open mind about what I actually want to do in the medical field.”

When she started high school, Sonya wasn’t sure she wanted to be a doctor. She signed up for dual enrollment (DE) classes at Hillsborough Community College that sounded interesting, and the more classes she took in the medical field, the more she became sure she wanted to one day help people in that way.

While those dual enrollment classes helped her solidify her future plans, along with a lot of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, they also helped her earn that sky-high GPA.

“I counted at least 15 science classes that she’s taken, and it blew me away,” says Christi Atkinson, who is Sonya’s Marine Science teacher this year. “She takes on so many activities and is capable of managing her time and getting everything done. It’s amazing.”

Knowing it’s a long journey through med school and residency, Sonya’s AP and DE classes will help her get her undergraduate requirements out of the way, and because she’s a high school student, the classes have been free.

“It seemed a great way to work on my future goals,” she says, earning credits toward her undergraduate degree while learning about what she calls “cool subjects.”

While she’s worked hard in school, she enjoys spending her free time painting, doing henna body art and cooking. She says her most fun class has been orchestra, where she plays the cello.

Her orchestra teacher, Elise Prather, says, “She has been a dream student. She is respectful, kind, communicates effectively, is a great team player, gives 110% on everything, and is very helpful to me and other students.”

While Sonya was accepted to several schools, she decided USF was the most convenient and least expensive choice. 

“And it has great opportunities, so I’m not missing out,” she says.

When she graduates from high school, Sonya will have earned 62 credit hours from Hillsborough Community College, plus many hours from her AP classes, which will help her fulfill her college general education credits. She hopes to finish her Bachelor of Science degree at USF within two years.

She says she loves volunteering, especially at the local Bay Chapel food pantry, because she appreciates that her community has a local food pantry to help those who need some help.

In addition to her difficult academics, orchestra and volunteering, she also serves as co-president of Wharton’s Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society club, secretary of the Science National Honor Society and orchestra clubs, and is a member of the school’s National Beta Club and National Honor Society.

“She’s just a really good kid,” Atkinson says. “She’s someone you can rely on and depend on.” 

And while Sonya and her peers dealt with a lot of adversity due to Covid-19, Atkinson adds, “she adapted very well and rose above the challenges.”

That’s what Sonya intends to do in the future, too. She’ll keep setting goals, working hard, making practical decisions, and taking the next step forward.

As she moves from one chapter of her life to the next, she says, “I’m looking forward to new experiences, whatever they may be.”

For Business Or Unemployment Law, Call Attorney Derek Usman

Attorney Derek Usman, who has an office on BBD Blvd. in New Tampa, has opened a second location in downtown Tampa to be closer to the courts. (Photo courtesy of Derek Usman)

Attorney Derek Usman says a piece of advice in a self-improvement book stuck with him and has become a cornerstone of how he practices law.

“I treat each case like it’s the most important case,” he says. “I approach each of them in the same manner, whether it’s a small claims case or a filing for the Supreme Court.”

This philosophy has helped his New Tampa-based business, The Usman Law Firm, P.A. — located in the Central Bank building on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. south of County Line Rd. — to grow through referrals and word-of-mouth among clients who need legal expertise for litigation, employment law and business law.

He established his firm in the community where he lives, knowing that many residents of our area may need an employment or business law firm, and may want to work with someone who is a part of their community.

“New Tampa- and Wesley Chapel-area residents are business owners and employees, and executives of businesses,” says Usman, “sometimes they are people who work for corporations that are relocating to the Tampa Bay area. They have a local resource right here. They don’t have to go to a big downtown firm.”

But, if they do want a downtown firm, Usman has that covered, too. He recently opened a second office in downtown Tampa to have more accessibility to the courts and to court personnel.

“Lawsuits always involve two sides,” he says, “and oftentimes, the opposing counsel is downtown.” 

He says maintaining a second office in the heart of where most litigation happens allows him to communicate better with opposing counsel, while keeping his New Tampa office as his primary work location.

“Attorneys are fraternal,” he says. “It makes it easier to talk with them because you have a connection and a familiarity. A personal relationship makes things smoother.”

He values those personal relationships, which is why he always gives his full attention and diligent preparation to every case that comes before him. A client he helped with one of those “small cases” came back to him when something much bigger came up. This led to Usman recently filing a federal case on behalf of a St. Petersburg-based startup company, called Priatek, alleging its former executives stole technology and forced out the company’s president.

He says he was hired to represent that firm because one of its investors appreciated the way Usman treated his earlier case.

“That was a small claims trial, with a low dollar amount, but he knew that I prepared well,” says Usman.

And, Usman adds, he had no expectation that one case would lead to a bigger one, but that he treats everyone the same, across the board. He works hard to ensure each of his clients is represented well, no matter how minor their complaint may seem.

Happy Clients…

Jerry Newberry is a client who says he experienced that quality representation first-hand. As president of a local company, he was looking for an attorney to review some corporate documents he had prepared.

After finding Usman by searching online, Newberry says he was able to get an appointment quickly, go over his questions, and that Usman got back to him with all of his questions answered in just a few days.

“I was really happy,” Newberry says. “I had a bunch of questions because I don’t understand legal mumbo jumbo, and he answered all of them. I appreciated his timeliness and his feedback was very thorough.”

Plus, Newberry says he has worked with several lawyers who run up costs very quickly, but notes that Usman’s fees were very reasonable. 

“I’ve dealt with 30 to 40 attorneys over 30 years, and he was painless,” says Newberry. “He was very willing to do whatever I needed, and he explained everything in a way that I understood and felt comfortable (with). I’m definitely pleased and will certainly use him again.”

Usman says he understands that litigation can be expensive and that a lot of the expense is hard costs, such as court fees, that clients have to pay.

He emphasizes that’s why he has multiple fee arrangements to meet each client’s needs. Fees can be paid as contingent, fixed or hourly billing. 

“I work with clients on payment options,” he says. “Even though litigation is a costly endeavor, I don’t want that to deter you from pursuing actions on your behalf.”

Derek says many attorneys who practice business and employment law specialize in either initial transactions or disputes. However, Derek isn’t limited to only one area or the other.

He says his clients benefit from the hands-on experience he has had in courtrooms, from county courts, to state, federal and even appellate courts. Because he sees how litigation plays out in court, he knows the pitfalls to look out for in drafting agreements and other documentation.

“I know both parts and have experience in both,” he says. “I have more practical knowledge when it comes to forming agreements because I know what usually gets litigated in court.”

After moving from Chicago to Wesley Chapel in 2015 to be closer to family, Derek opened his local office of The Usman Law Firm off of Bearss Ave. In 2018, he moved to his current office on BBD to be right in the heart of the community where he lives and serves his neighbors.

Derek earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Indiana University in Fort Wayne in 1997 and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2001.

He is admitted to practice before the bars of Florida, Illinois, the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Derek volunteers his time as part of the network of attorneys who work on both local and national cases with Alliance Defending Freedom, a faith-based nonprofit that focuses on legal advocacy.

The Usman Law Firm is located at 20701 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. For more information, please visit UsmanFirm.com or call (813) 377-1197.