Born and raised in Kentucky, Dr. John Stacy’s passion for baseball led him to Murray State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. He continued his education at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, earning his Doctor of Optometry.
Dr. Stacy chose Richmond as the place to pursue his career and raise his family with his wife, Jessica, and son, John David. In 2016, he joined NEC, where he cares for the full range of patients—from pediatrics to geriatrics—including those with eye injuries and eye diseases such as infections, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetes. His goal is to make every patient who enters the door feel like family.
Dr. Stacy enjoys exercising, cycling and gaming.
Dr. Alexandra Nilsen was born in New York City and grew up in Northern New Jersey. She attended Ramapo College, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in Spanish. She earned a Doctor of Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Philadelphia and completed a post-graduate residency at the Hampton Veterans Hospital here in Virginia.
In 2000, she joined Nilsen Eye Care. She is well respected for her excellent skills in the diagnosis, management and treatment of eye diseases as well as her compassionate treatment of every patient.
In her free time, Dr. Nilsen enjoys reading and participating in her book club. But her favorite activity is spending time at the beach with her husband, Dr. Eric Nilsen, and their two Vizslas, Belle and Duke.
A native of Ohio, Dr. Craig Perry has a Bachelor of Science in zoology and Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Ohio State University. He completed his Doctor of Optometry at St. Louis College of Optometry at the University of Missouri.
Dr. Perry has been caring for patients at NEC since 2004. He has diverse experience working in a variety of settings, including inner-city clinics, VA and prison hospitals, LASIK surgery centers, as well as research and teaching. He has published a number of scholarly articles in optometric journals. Dr. Perry specializes in the treatment of dry eye.
The father of two “awesome” sons, Dr. Perry enjoys photography, biking, paddle boarding, SCUBA diving and traveling to remote and exotic locations.
In 1998, Dr. Eric Nilsen traveled south from his home in upstate New York in search of warm weather and a friendly community where he could set up his optometry practice. He discovered the greater Richmond area and established Nilsen Eye Care (NEC) in suburban Chesterfield County.
Dr. Nilsen graduated from S.U.N.Y. Albany with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and a minor in psychology. He went on to earn his Doctor of Optometry from the New England College of Optometry in Boston.
Dr. Nilsen enjoys educating patients about whole health rather than just eye health. He is a huge animal lover, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has a passion for performance driving.
Dr. Madeline Junker Kellerman received her Bachelor of Science in cellular biology and genetics at the University of Maryland before earning her Doctor of Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Philadelphia.
Hailing from Maryland, Dr. Kellerman relocated to Virginia in 2020 and found her professional home at Nilsen Eye Care.
Dr. Kellerman loves offering the full range of primary eye care—from routine eye exams and emergency visits to managing ocular disease and prescribing a patient’s first pair of glasses.
Residing in Mechanicsville with her husband, Tyler, and their four cats, Dr. Kellerman enjoys reading, cooking and crafting and looks forward to resuming her passion for dance.
Dr. Kristen Jarrell’s roots run deep in this community. She grew up in Chesterfield County and has been caring for the eye health of Powhatan residents since 2013.
While earning her Bachelor of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Jarrell worked as a tech for Dr. Alexandra Nilsen. Here she was inspired to pursue her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Indiana.
Dr. Jarrell appreciates the importance of primary and preventive eye care. As the mother of two active children, Charlotte and Henry, she has a special affinity for caring for young patients.
She and her husband, Kevin, live in Midlothian and enjoy biking, swimming and spending time outdoors as a family.
A graduate of Powhatan High School and a resident of the county since 1970, Dr. Tonya Carter is part of the fabric of the Powhatan community. She graduated from the University of Mary Washington and went on to earn her Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN.
In 1998, Dr. Carter founded Powhatan Family Vision, bringing high-quality eye care to her hometown. The practice was acquired by Drs. Eric and Alexandra Nilsen in 2021 and was renamed Nilsen Eye Care West.
Dr. Carter continues to serve her patients with comprehensive eye exams as well as treatment of glaucoma, dry eye and other health issue. She loves caring for patients of all ages but has a special place in her heart for the elderly.
Dr. Carter serves as a running coach for Sports Backers. She loves running marathons, reading, camping and spending time with her children and grandchildren.