We know it takes trust to place your health in our hands.

Dr. Wesley K. Herman, M.D.

Dr. Herman founded Vision Quest in 1981. He was born and raised in North Dakota before settling in Texas. While facing the challenges of growing up on a rural farm, he developed an innovative spirit and an interest in technology. At the age of seven, his uncle introduced him to the art and science of photography.

"Photography fascinated me so much that I was soon developing pictures in my basement. This passion earned me a college scholarship from Eastman Kodak. I quickly appreciated the similarities between photography and the human eye. When I decided to pursue medicine, it was natural for me to focus on ophthalmology as my specialty."

Dr. Herman’s passion has not diminished, nor has his innovative spirit. He is actively researching ways to surgically improve the eye’s vision and function. He has published numerous professional articles and holds 13 U.S. and foreign patents. In addition, patients and peers recognize Dr. Herman as a gifted surgeon. He is one of a select group of North Texas surgeons who is fellowship-trained in corneal and anterior segment surgery. Dr Herman is also certified as a laser vision correction specialist by VISX, and has been honored twice as one of the top 100 refractive surgeons in the nation.

While under the care of Dr. Herman, you will sense the friendly, service-with-a-smile demeanor for which he is known and respected.

Dr. Joseph M. Constable, O.D.

Dr. Constable grew up in a military family and has lived in Alaska, Pennsylvania, and many places in between. He has spent several years in Texas and is happy to call it home. Coming from a family of medical professionals spurred his interest in medicine.

"I was exposed to many aspects of the medical field growing up, and in my early teen years, I developed a special interest in eyecare, primarily due to being highly nearsighted. By high-school graduation, I knew I wanted to become an eye doctor."

Dr. Constable completed his optometric training in Boston, Massachusetts under a military scholarship. Upon graduation, he was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he acted as clinic chief of the optometry section of Bassett Army Community Hospital.

"Serving my country while in the Army was extremely rewarding and is a time in my life that I will always cherish."

Dr. Constable spent three years on active duty and five years in the Army Reserves. After finishing his active-duty military service, he worked for a short time in private practice before joining Vision Quest.

Holding the highest level of licensure available from the State of Texas, be assured that Dr. Constable will provide the quality care that you deserve.

Dr. Joan L. Abernethy, M.D.

Dr. Abernethy was born and raised in Minnesota. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of Minnesota and earned her M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. Internship and Residency brought her to Texas in 1997, where she fell in love with the area and the people.

“I grew up in a medically-oriented family. My father was a veterinarian and my mother was a nurse. They both inspired me to pursue medical school and to become a physician. During my ophthalmology rotation in medical school, I observed numerous delicate eye surgeries and was convinced that ophthalmology was the right choice for my career. I loved the technology, the precision and the life-changing results patients could obtain from their surgery.”

Dr. Abernethy completed her preliminary internship in Internal Medicine at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and her Ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Her research there resulted in articles published in both the Texas Medicine journal and the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. She is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and she entered private practice in 2001.

In 2004, she joined the Vision Quest “E” Team. Dr. Abernethy is known to be a gifted surgeon with a friendly, easy-going demeanor. She enjoys all aspects of her work in ophthalmic microsurgery, particularly the ability to enhance her patients’ vision and improve their quality of life.

Dr. Oren N. Fass, M.D.

Dr. Fass was drawn quite naturally to the medical arts by both his passion for science and innate desire to help those in need. Early in his medical training, Dr. Fass found his calling in the field of ophthalmic microsurgery.

“The rewards of ophthalmology are realized in performing precision surgery with results that deeply improve my patient’s lives.”

Dr. Fass is an experienced, board certified cataract surgeon who offers the latest technology in lens replacement strategies, including multi-focal and other specialty lenses. In addition to cataract and refractive surgery, Dr. Fass performs corneal transplantation, including the newest form called DASEK. Additionally, Dr. Fass is one of only a few surgeons in the area to perform the surgical procedure called INTACS, which in many cases eliminates the need for corneal transplantation.

Dr. Fass is an innovator in surgical techniques and instrumentation. He has published instructional articles for his peers in multiple areas, including DASEK (http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=37569), difficult reconstructive cases (http://www.jcrsjournal.org/article/S0886-3350(09)00567-7/abstract), and corneal transplantation (http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=43267) . He is currently patenting surgical instruments that will further improve patient recovery, comfort and outcomes..

In 2008, he joined the Vision Quest “E” Team and made Texas his home.

Dr. Syed Mehdi Ahmad, M.D.

Dr. Ahmad was raised in North Carolina and Texas. He has extensive training in both Oculoplastics and Internal Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and board eligible by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

“My exposure to medicine came at an early age. I drew inspiration from my grandfather, parents, and other family members who are all physicians. My initial exposure to ophthalmology came after having done research at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest here in Dallas. Subsequent rotations solidified my decision to pursue ophthalmology.”

Dr. Ahmad’s training as an ophthalmologist, and more specifically an oculoplastic surgeon, gives him the greatest experience, knowledge of complex ophthalmic anatomy, and skill in the management of reconstructive, corrective and aesthetic procedures. Dr. Ahmad has authored numerous articles and book chapters. He is also active as an instructor, given both presentations and having participated in courses, at the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is also actively involved in resident training at the local medical school.

Dr. Ahmad medically and surgically manages disorders of the eyelids, tear duct systems, and the orbit for both children and adults.

Dr. Lauren L. Simpkins, Au.D.

Dr. Simpkins was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She came to Dallas in 2000 to pursue a broader range of career opportunities. Now she considers Texas her home.

“While attending LSU for my undergraduate studies, an Audiologist taught one of my courses. Hearing her talk about the revolutionary changes in the field of audiology and the tremendous impact it had on her patients’ lives was remarkable and led me to pursuing a career in the profession. Now, as a practicing audiologist, I am able to see these technological advances and the amazing impact they have on people’s lives first hand. The ability to enhance a person’s quality of life is extremely rewarding. With today’s assisted listening devices (hearing aids), it’s remarkable the degree to which an individual’s acoustic environment can be improved.”

Dr. Simpkins has been in the Dallas area since 2000 and has worked in a variety of settings, to include: private practice, physician settings, retirement/assisted living homes, and pediatric hospitals. Her expertise is in diagnostic audiology, assisted listening devices, and balance/vertigo management.

Dr. Simpkins joined Dr. Herman and the “E” Team in 2008 due to their similar practice philosophies.

“We are both like-minded in the way we treat our patients. Dr. Herman is a proactive physician always thinking of the best and most innovative ways to treat his patients. I too put my patients’ needs and goals first and strive to provide them with the best quality of care possible. It’s a privilege to work with Dr. Herman and all of the “E” Team staff.”