The Eye Department provides comprehensive exams and addresses urgent eye-related conditions such as red eyes, eye pain, eye trauma and sudden vision loss. We see patients of all ages from children all the way up to 100+.
Eye Care Services
RPHC Eye Clinic has the latest and best technology including an ultra-wide field camera, optical coherence tomography and visual field, which are essential to diagnose and monitor all types of eye conditions.
Professionals at River People Heath Center are working closely to integrate health care. At any given health visit, doctors and health care providers who identify patients with diabetes that have not undergone a recent diabetic retinal evaluation can do an instant referral to our Wi’ Clinic. Wi’ is a unique clinic that allows patients to have an ultra-wide imaging (Figure 1 and 2 below) of the inside of their eyes where diabetic complications can take place. After imaging is performed, the patient will sit with the eye provider to review the image and allow an open discussion and questions about the health of their eyes. HealthCare Provider referral needed.
-
- Figure 1
-
- Figure 2
Eye Care Providers
Optometrist
Dr. Iris Huang is a California native who completed both her undergraduate education and Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating, she pursued a residency in ocular disease and hospital-based optometry at Zuni Indian Health Service in Zuni, New Mexico.
Dr. Huang continued practicing optometry at Zuni IHS for several years before relocating to the Phoenix area. She brings experience in managing a wide range of ocular conditions and is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered eye care.
Dr. Huang is excited to be part of the River People Health Center Eye Clinic and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Optometry Clinical Director
Dr. Ryan Manning serves as the Optometry Clinical Director at River People Health Center. He earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and completed his Doctor of Optometry at Southern College of Optometry. He later earned a Master of Public Health from Salus University as part of its inaugural MPH class.
Dr. Manning began his career in the U.S. Navy, serving for four years in San Diego, California, where he specialized in medically necessary contact lenses and low vision. He also contributed to research efforts in LASIK, PRK, and Intacs at a Navy refractive surgery center. After transitioning to the U.S. Public Health Service, Dr. Manning joined the Indian Health Service at Phoenix Indian Medical Center, where he provided eye care for the Salt River clinics from 2010 to 2019. He currently serves as the Phoenix Area Optometry Consultant.
Dr. Manning is board-certified in medical optometry and holds active licenses in both Utah and Arizona. He is a Diplomat of Public Health in the American Academy of Optometry and has held leadership and faculty roles with multiple professional organizations and universities, including the University of Houston, Salus University, Midwestern University, and Ketchum University.
His professional interests include public health, contact lenses, and advancing access to eye care in Native communities.
Optometrist
Dr. Kim Patel is a board-certified Optometrist who was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and later moved to Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and completed her Doctor of Optometry at The New England College of Optometry.
She went on to complete a residency in ocular disease at the William V. Chappell VA Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dr. Patel has continued to focus her clinical practice on the management of ocular disease, including glaucoma.
She is committed to delivering thorough, patient-focused eye care and is proud to serve the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community at River People Health Center.
Optometrist
Dr. Kelsey Sterk is a board-certified Optometrist and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She was born and raised in Iowa and earned her undergraduate degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She went on to complete her Doctor of Optometry at Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry.
Dr. Sterk completed a residency in optometry at Tuba City Regional Health Care in 2019 and earned her fellowship in 2020. She is committed to helping patients maintain healthy vision and achieve the clearest sight possible.
Dr. Sterk is proud to serve the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and looks forward to providing personalized, high-quality eye care to all her patients.
Tamecia Lomawaima chose to be a part of the Optometry team because she loves to help and make sure all patients have understanding of their plan of care. She enjoys to actively listening to patient’s needs.
“I feel I can make a difference by advocating for patients.”
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment for eye care,
call 480-278-7742.
All federally recognized tribes are eligible to be seen at the Eye Clinic. No referral needed.
