Dr. Michelle Mumford always knew she wanted to work in the medical field, but it was because she started wearing (very unfashionable) glasses at age seven and contact lenses at age eleven that her interest in Optometry grew. Her father, also a physician, stressed early on to her and her sister that whatever work they chose in life should be their passion – and that’s exactly what eye health and vision is to Dr. Mumford.
“Protecting my patient’s vision and eye health is the most important part of my job – and I take it very seriously – but it’s also very important to me for our patients leave our office happy and confident.”
She obviously recognizes the value in good vision health, but also emphasizes that style can’t be sacrificed. As a kid growing up with glasses that lacked any sort of “style” (and that’s putting it lightly), Dr. Mumford is acutely aware that the right glasses make all the difference. That’s why she’s stocked the Innovative Eye Care boutique with the best selection of designer eyeglasses and sunglasses around PLUS the biggest variety of contact lenses. She’s created a warm, friendly environment that makes patients leaving feeling better about themselves.
“To see a patient’s eyes light up after putting on new glasses or contact lenses is the reason I do what I do – it never gets old.”
Dr. Mumford is also an expert in fitting contact lenses, including specialty lenses. She has successfully fit thousands of patients with contact lenses in even the most challenging circumstances.
Dr. Mumford graduated from Auburn University with honors and received her Doctor of Optometry from The Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, the North Carolina State Optometric Society, and the Piedmont Optometric Society.
A native Tennessean, Dr. Mumford and her husband, Jeff (her high school sweetheart!), now call their home city Charlotte a “perfect melting pot of newcomers and natives.” And in case you were wondering, even eye doctors have a life outside of the office. Dr. Mumford and her husband stay super busy keeping up with their two very active children, Amelia and Oliver. She also loves to shop, read, exercise, travel, or soak in the sun on the lake (always wearing the most fashionable sunglasses, of course!). She’s thankful EVERYDAY that glasses are once again “cool” – because they definitely weren’t when she was young.
Dr. Sarah Kenning is one of our highly qualified doctors here at Innovative Eye Care. She always knew she was interested in a health sciences career, and after spending time shadowing various healthcare providers during her undergraduate studies, she decided that optometry was the perfect fit for her. We are so glad she did, because Dr. Kenning is an incredible addition to our team! Her favorite part of the job is “problem-solving with patients,” she says, “and the satisfaction of helping my patients see their best, feel their best, and trust that they’re in good hands.” The thoughtfulness, care, and dedication that she brings to each patient interaction make her a beloved member of our team.
Dr. Kenning hails from Kansas, where she attended the University of Kansas for her undergraduate degree in Biology (Go Jayhawks!). She completed her Doctorate of Optometry degree at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon receiving her doctorate, she returned to Kansas for a post-doctoral residency with the Kansas City Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, where she specialized in ocular disease and low vision rehabilitation. She worked at the VA for several years caring for Veterans with ocular disease and teaching and mentoring optometry students and residents before joining Dr. Mumford in private practice.
Dr. Kenning’s post-doctoral residency and her experience providing vision and medical care for our nation’s Veterans give her a unique, dynamic background that is incredibly beneficial to our patients here at Innovative Eye Care. She specializes in ocular disease management – from acute conditions to chronic ocular diseases such as dry eye disease, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. Kenning uses her experience with low vision rehabilitation to help patients who have suffered permanent vision loss to maximize their remaining vision and uses her knowledge of ocular diseases to ensure patients understand their conditions. She also loves supporting patients with low vision, and her background in ocular disease ensures every single patient receives the best possible care.
Dr. Kenning loves living in Charlotte, which has been her home for the last several years. Her favorite parts of the city include the Whitewater Center, the mix and rivalry of great college basketball teams, and the absence of brutally cold Kansan winters. She loves exploring Charlotte’s dog-friendly spots with Charlie, her Wheaten Terrier mix, enjoying the fresh air in Freedom Park, and attending local trivia and comedy shows. She is a devoted aunt to her niece and nephew and a skilled, compassionate healthcare provider for her patients here at Innovative Eye Care. We can’t wait for you to get to know Dr. Sarah Kenning!
Dr. Sydney Krisa is one of our wonderful eye doctors here at Innovative Eye Care. Her extensive educational background, combined with her devotion to providing patients with the best possible care, makes her a valuable member of our team. Dr. Krisa has been drawn to medicine from a young age. Her experiences shadowing her family Optometrist and working at an Optometry practice as an undergraduate student solidified her decision to pursue a degree in Optometry.
Original from Ontario, Canada, Dr. Krisa moved to Charlotte as a child. She studied biology with minors in chemistry and neuroscience at UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Tar Heels!) before receiving her doctorate from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. While in Optometry school at ICO, Dr. Krisa developed a professional interest in specialty contact lenses and ocular disease. This led her to a prestigious postgraduate optometric residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a Harvard Ophthalmology specialty hospital devoted to treating complex ocular pathology.
Dr. Krisa joined us here at Innovative Eye Care after the completion of her residency in June 2023 and has since become our go-to doctor for specialty lenses. She also specializes in ocular disease, dry eye treatment and myopia management. She is excited for the opportunity to implement her specialized education by offering patients cutting-edge solutions to their visual conditions. Many local eye doctors refer patients to our clinic for Dr. Krisa’s expertise, so we’re lucky to have her on our team!
Dr. Krisa is committed to making sure every patient has access to treatments that can preserve or enhance their sight. She takes a holistic approach to patient wellness, knowing very well how health conditions throughout the body can impact eye health. She loves building long-term relationships with patient and her colleagues at Innovative. To her, our practice has a warm, peaceful atmosphere that is particularly conducive to both professional collaboration and effective patient communication.
When she’s not working, Dr. Krisa loves spending time with family, friends and her fiance Adam, as they explore local restaurants and live music in the Charlotte area. She also enjoys reading, getting outdoors, and exercising with her two dogs.
We are so happy to have Dr. Krisa here at our practice, and we know you’ll her as much as we do!
