Michael Chavez, O.D.
Dr. Chavez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas (Hook ‘Em!) and his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry. He has extensive training in treating eye diseases, prescribing eyewear, fitting contact lenses, and co-managing surgeries, including cataract surgery and LASIK. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the Texas Optometric Association, and the Central Texas Optometric Association. Dr. Chavez recently opened a second practice named Budaful Eyes in his adopted town of Buda, Texas.
A native Texan, Dr. Chavez was originally born and raised in El Paso but fell in love with Austin at first sight. After a few years away, Dr. Chavez returned to the community to establish his practice. He enjoys spending time with his wife Alisa, their daughter Logan, and sons Austin and Jackson. Together, the five attempt to solve crimes in their Mystery Van, mostly at old amusement parks or spooky houses. While relaxing at home, Dr. Chavez enjoys dueling with plastic lightsabers, being a customer at his daughter’s manicure store, and is an expert at not stepping on random Legos on the floor.
Komal Shah, O.D.
Dr. Komal Shah joins the Eye Capitol team from the small hamlet of Hawthorne, NY, swapping snow shoveling for live music and shorts-wearing in December. She is a graduate of SUNY optometry school and underwent further training in brain injury rehabilitation and ocular disease during her residency in San Antonio. When not seeing patients, Dr. Shah enjoys anything culinary, whether it’s cooking alongside a Top Chef episode or looking for the next best pad kee mao or punjabi food in the city.
Fun Fact: Dr. Shah has two cats named Bailey and Jameson, who are not allowed to join her on road trips to state and national parks, as they are total backseat drivers.
Amanda Melendez, O.D.
Dr. Melendez is a graduate of Texas A&M University and also received her Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Houston College of Optometry. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the Texas Optometric Association, and the Central Texas Optometric Society. She enjoys the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, but has a special place in her heart for dry eye disease and glaucoma.
Dr. Melendez hails from Edinburg, Texas and is fluent in Spanish and whatever language they speak on CBS’s Big Brother. She is a National Park enthusiast and would perform eye exams in nature preserves it if were up to her. Dr. Melendez proudly claims to know all things Selena(s) and can quote the movie by heart. Most of her adventures include the company of her dog (and love of her life), Ms. Hazelnut Cheesecake. (Yes, that’s her name.)
Fun fact: Dr. Melendez was selected to “Come on down!” on the Price is Right (seriously!) and made it all the way to the Showcase Showdown. Unfortunately, her game show estimating skills are not as good as her clinical skills.
Rubi
Our office manager Rubi (spelled with an “eye”) was born in Michoacan, Mexico and her quest for the perfect breakfast taco landed her in Austin in 1996. On her free time, Rubi enjoys cooking, Pinterest crafting, and teaching her dog Boogers new tricks. She is hoping to one day train Boogers to cook for her.
Fun fact: Rubi enjoys the concept of swimming, but can’t actually swim. She requests that you don’t panic if you see her wading in one spot for hours.
April
Ever wonder who figures out your copays and insurance benefits? Do you really? Anyway, it’s April. April does it. Originally from Waco, April is the personification of smooth jazz and her calm personality has been known to literally extinguish small fires. When not balancing the chaos of work and four youngins at home, April’s hobbies include enjoying the smooth sounds of silence.
Fun fact: April enjoys Mexican food, pasta, and movies, but surprisingly has never been to the Alamo Drafthouse to indulge in all these vices at the same time.
Amy
Amy is Eye Capitol’s happy-go-lucky patient coordinator and impromptu in-office yoga practitioner. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, Amy has transitioned to the hiking trails of Austin, often pushing a baby stroller with her rescue dog Comet in it.
Fun Fact: Amy’s hair color mysteriously changes with her mood. Current mood: Excited and hungry.
Meet Jasmin, your optometric guide to pretesting and purveyor of unsolicited facts about Stranger Things. An avid dancer, you may see Jasmin salsa from room to room with patients. If you listen closely to her conversations with coworkers, you’ll likely overhear her promoting her idea for a margarita machine in the break room.
Fun fact: Jasmin enjoys the art of makeup and often uses her dog Salem to practice on cheekbone contouring.
