Dr. Ben W. Johnson, DVM, DACVO

Dr. Ben W. Johnson has lived in St. Louis since 1966. He graduated from Horton Watkins High School in 1973, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1977, and graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1981. After practicing general small animal medicine for 5 years, he attended the University of Illinois-Champaign from 1986 to 1990, completed a three-year residency program in comparative ophthalmology and stayed on for one extra year as an assistant professor. In 1989, Dr. Johnson successfully completed the examination for board certification through the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and was granted Diplomate status. Dr. Johnson established Animal Eye Associates of St. Louis on an interim basis in 1988 and as a full-time practice starting in 1990. Dr. Johnson has served St. Louis pet owners for over 30 years.

Dr. Reuben Merideth, DVM, DACVO

Dr. Merideth graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. He was an N.I.H. Fellow in Comparative Ophthalmology at the University of Florida from 1979 to 1981. Dr. Merideth became board certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) in 1981. Dr. Merideth is a national expert in animal ophthalmology, has authored more than 30 scientific articles, and is a contributing author of five veterinary textbooks. He is the past President of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association Counsel on continuing education and service for the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists on residency training and testing. In 2018 he was named the first ever Tucson Wildlife Center “Person of the Year” in recognition of 20 years of volunteer service, and in 2019 he was the sole inductee into the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association’s Hall of Fame. Dr. Merideth was recognized and honored as the Founder of Eye Care for Animals during a 40th Anniversary celebration in November, 2021. He has returned to his alma mater to help train the next generation of veterinary ophthalmologists.

Dr. Kelli Zimmerman, DVM, DACVO

Dr. Kelli Zimmerman was born and raised in Indiana. She graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, IN with a bachelor of science in biology and pre-medicine. After obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, IN she completed a 1-year internship at VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Fishers, IN. Thereafter, she practiced small animal emergency medicine at the New England Veterinary Care Center (Windsor, CT). After realizing her passion for ophthalmology, she completed a 1-year ophthalmology internship at BluePearl in Philadelphia, PA and a 1-year ophthalmology research fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL. She then completed a residency in comparative ophthalmology at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Athens, GA and obtained diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Dr. Zimmerman has special interests in ophthalmic microsurgery and management of ocular surface diseases. She particularly enjoys the human-animal bond, as well as working with cats and brachycephalic breeds. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and pets, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Dr. Ashley Sommerkamp, DVM, Ophthalmology Resident

Dr. Ashley Sommerkamp was born in Washington D.C. and has lived in Maryland, the Chicago suburbs, and Long Island. She attended North Carolina State University for her bachelor’s degree where she majored in political science and minored in economics. After spending time in careers outside of veterinary medicine, she moved back to Illinois and became a veterinary assistant while taking prerequisite classes to pursue veterinary school. Dr. Sommerkamp graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and became a member of Phi Zeta Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, Dr. Sommerkamp completed a 1-year rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington D.C. followed by a 1-year ophthalmology internship at Armour Veterinary Ophthalmology in Washington D.C. Dr. Sommerkamp is now completing a 3-year residency program in veterinary ophthalmology at the Animal Eye Associates of St. Louis. She has a special interest in ocular manifestations of systemic disease in companion animals and exotic animal ophthalmology.