About Us
We are a Family Tradition.
Our Listowel clinic was started in 1950 by Dr. Ken MacKenzie. He came to Listowel to play baseball in 1947 and returned to town after graduating from Optometry school at the University of Toronto in 1950. Dr. Ken moved the office to its present location in 1977. His son, Dr. Rod MacKenzie graduated in 1981 from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry. Dr. Rod practiced in Kitchener for two years before returning to join his father in 1983.
In January 2009, we were fortunate to be joined by Dr. Krista Wheildon who graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 2004. She earned the William Feinbloom Low Vision Award and the Optelec Canada/Schweizer Optik Low Vision Award. In September 2018, Dr. Wheildon purchased Dr. MacKenzie’s practice.
Dr. Wheildon is certified in the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease and regularly participate in continuing education.
The goal of Dr. Ken MacKenzie was to provide excellence in eye care to all his patients – today, our clinic continues his vision, offering the very best in care and services to our patients.
We invite you to join us on a tour of
Wheildon MacKenzie Optometry
Meet the Team
Our Doctors
Dr. Krista Wheildon B.Sc, O.D.
Dr. Krista Wheildon graduated from the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo in 2004 with her Honours Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees.
She was also awarded the William Feinbloom Low Vision Award and the Optelec Canada/Schweizer Optik Low Vision Award.
Dr. Wheildon continues to have a special interest in the field of Low Vision, offering our patients a specialized level of care in this area of Optometry. With the use of vision aids such as magnifiers, telescopes and specialized lenses, patients are often able to perform many of the daily activities they had been unable to do, as a result of their declining vision.
Krista was born and raised in Elora, Ontario and now resides in Listowel with her husband, Scott and two children, Colin and Charlotte. She and Scott are kept busy chauffeuring their children to competitive swim team practices and meets and competitive highland dance practices, exams and competitions.
Dr. Paula Romero O.D. BMsc (Hon)
Dr. Paula Romero received her Bachelor of Medical Science degree in 2015 from the University of Western Ontario.
She then graduated on the Dean's Honours List from the University of Waterloo with her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2019.
During her last year of study, she worked alongside numerous optometrists and ophthalmologists at her externship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX.
In 2017, she participated in a volunteer eyecare trip to Peru with the non-profit organization VOSH.
Dr. Romero is committed to providing excellent care to patients of all ages. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Outside the office, Dr. Romero enjoys spending time with her family and her rescue dog, Olivia. She enjoys many sports including, hockey and golf, and is passionate about travelling.
Dr. Dan Black O.D
Dr. Black graduated with a Bachelor of Life Science from Nova Southeastern University in 1999 and received his Doctorate in Optometry from Nova Southeastern University in 2009.
He earned a Bachelor degree in Vision Science during graduate school and was awarded an athletic scholarship for cross country running at Nova.
He was also voted Student Life Student of the Year in 1997 at the same school.
Dr. Black enjoys seeing patients of all ages. He loves providing optometric care involving all aspects of the field, but is most interested in Glaucoma Care, Ocular Pathology, AMD, and Diabetic Retinopathy.
He has a 12 year old daughter and a 22 year old son in University.
Born and raised in Cambridge, Dr. Black spends his free time playing golf, hockey, and softball.
He is a big supporter of the local professional sports teams and his community.
Dr. Rod MacKenzie O.D. (Retired)
Dr. Rod MacKenzie graduated with his Doctor of Optometry degree from the School of Optometry, University of Waterloo, in 1981.
After practicing in Kitchener for two years, Dr. Rod returned to his home town to partner with his father Dr. Ken MacKenzie.
Rod has been active in the community for many years including minor sports, particularly baseball, where he was involved with many teams. Rod has also been a long-time member of the Kinsmen and K40 Clubs, serving as president for both organizations.
In his spare time, Dr. Rod can generally be found at the golf course but now that he is retired you can find him with his sleeping bag and tent pitched out on the 18th hole. Rod is married to Victoria and they have two grown sons, Kyle and Jordan. Rod will also be able to spend much more time playing Barbies with his grand-daughter Madison.
Our Staff
Tammy Alexander-Smith
Optometric Assistant
Ophthalmic Lab Technician
Tammy joined our practice in 2022. Tammy has 9 years experience working in an Optometry practice. In May 2022, she completed her Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant Course through the Canadian Association of Optometrists. You will meet Tammy in every nook and cranny of the office as she knows how to navigate multiple jobs within the Optometry industry. You will see her pre-testing, adjusting and dispensing glasses, assisting you with frame selections and helping new contact lens wearers learn the ins and outs of proper contact lens wear. Tammy also works in our edging lab and is very diligent at making sure your glasses are made to industry standards.
Jen Fish
Optometric Assistant
Ophthalmic Lab Technician
Jen joined our practice in the latter half of 2020. In June 2021, she completed her Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant Course through the Canadian Association of Optometrists. You will meet Jen when she performs your pre-testing before you see the doctor and updating your medical history records. Jen is a very outgoing person who is eager to learn everything Optometry related. Jen has taken the initiative to learn from Heather and Tammy about the duties involved with being an Ophthalmic Lab Technician and works diligently to learn this very technical side of the Optometry industry.
Heather Kennedy
Optometric Assistant
Ophthalmic Lab Technician
Heather joined our practice in 2001. She has 34 years experience as an Optometric Assistant and Ophthalmic Lab Technician. Heather completed the Canadian Association of Optometrists Ophthalmic Frame and Lens Dispensing Skills course and also the Laser Vision Coordinator course through TLC. Heather jumps in wherever she is needed, as she knows everything Optometry related. She knows how to troubleshoot any issue. If you ever have questions about lens or frame designs or coatings and tints she is your go to person.
Mary-Anne Boneschansker
Optometric Assistant
Mary-Anne joined our practice in 2023. Mary-Anne has 4 years of experience working in an Optometry practice. In 2021, she completed her Optical Science Eyeglass and Contact Lens Program Certificates from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. You will meet Mary-Anne in many different areas of the office as she can perform many different jobs. You will see her pre-testing, adjusting and dispensing glasses, assisting you with frame selections and helping new contact lens wearers learn the ins and outs of proper lens care. She is also helping Debbie with frame representative meetings to keep our frame inventory up to date and stylish with what is new and upcoming in frame designs.
Cindy McKechnie
Optometric Assistant
Cindy joined our practice in 2020 (the year of the eye exam or should we say COVID-19!) Cindy has taken it upon herself to learn the ropes of receptionist very quickly (including all new protocols) and has mastered the position. You will recognize her bubbly voice either on the phone or greeting you at our front reception area. And if receptionist wasn’t enough, Cindy completed her Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant Course through the Canadian Association of Optometrists in October 2022. So you will also see her pre-testing, adjusting and dispensing glasses and assisting with contact lens instructions.
Debbie Seiler
Optometric Assistant
Debbie joined our practice in 1990. She has 34 years experience as an Optometric Assistant. Debbie completed the Canadian Association of Optometrists Ophthalmic Frame and Lens Dispensing Skills course. She even ran the show down in Linwood when Dr. MacKenzie had a practice there. You know Debbie is great at her job, when patients specifically ask for her to help them. Debbie is in charge of meeting with our many frame company representatives and keeps our frame inventory up to date and stylish with what is new and upcoming in frame designs.