Evan Wolf, MD PhD

What do you enjoy doing when not at work?
I’m “outdoor curious” …..hiking, biking, gardening, but I don’t like to get too dirty or sweaty! I love a good day outdoors with my dog, or a day of motorsports shenanigans.

Kids/Pets?
My wife and I have 3 grown children who teach us so much about ourselves, and the world. Ditto for the dog and cats.

What do you love about practicing Ophthalmology?
It’s the most fun and challenging work. I love restoring someone’s vision or guiding them through difficult diagnoses with compassion.

Education?
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Rutgers University
• PhD in Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers University
• MD, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Internship in Internal Medicine, University of Utah
• Residency in Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City

Best thing about living in Alaska?
I find Alaskans really inspirational. People get out and get things done! Also, this place is very 3-dimensional and visually stunning. Lots of amazing critters, and not too much traffic.

Fun fact about you?
I can’t turn off a television if it’s showing cars on a racetrack.

What do you wish you could tell every patient?
Thank you for trusting your vision and your health to our team at Wolf Eye Center! We actually care that you have an excellent experience with our office.

Why do you like working at Wolf Eye Center?
It feels really good to do the right thing, with excellence, for someone else. Our team is focused on helping patients and customers by working together and caring for each other. Our work family impresses me consistently and inspires me to do the work with passion.

Lauren Evans, OD

What do you enjoy doing when not at work?
I love getting outside to hike, run, ski, skate, or just take a scenic walk. I also love to cook and bake - I cook almost every night! And of course, I love to spend time with my family.

Kids/Pets?
My first borns are all furry four-footers, two dogs and a cat. More recently, I became a mom to a wonderful, smart little boy.

What do you love about practicing Optometry?
It always feels good to help someone see. I’ve helped a few patients achieve life-changing vision, and I’ve cried tears of joy just as much as they have. I also am fascinated with how much you can tell about a person’s health through an eye exam, and I love being able to help my patients with health concerns that go beyond the eyes.

Education?
Bachelor of science from UC San Diego, optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry, residency in ocular disease and management from VA Las Vegas.

Best thing about living in Alaska?
Nature, weather (yes, I even love the snow!), opportunities for adventure, and all the beauty and wildlife.

Fun fact about you?
I tap dance! I am a member of the advanced tap group at The Tap Studio in Anchorage and perform with them several times each year.

What do you wish you could tell every patient?
I'm sorry that the evil puff of air is still one of the best ways to measure eye pressure.

Why do you like working at Wolf Eye Center?
When I first interviewed at Wolf Eye Center, I was struck by the happiness of the staff. I love being an eye doctor, and love it even more working at Wolf Eye Center. My coworkers have become my second family, and we're led by two incredible bosses. It's no wonder some of us have been at the practice for over 10 years. I am proud to be a doctor at Wolf Eye Center, for the quality of care we deliver to our patients and the pride we have in our work.

Amber Mayberry, OD

What do you enjoy doing when not at work?
I enjoy being outside hiking and traveling with my husband and family. I also enjoy interior design and decorating.

Kids/Pets?
I have three kiddos, Everett, Normandy, and Holland. They are such a dynamic trio and I love spending time with them. I also have a German Shepherd, Adele, who is the sweetest girl.

What do you love about practicing Optometry?
I love caring for my community. Many patients have become friends over the years. I want to find out what people’s visual concerns are and try my best to help them address those issues. A good day at the office would be finding the perfect multifocal contact lens for a new grandma who doesn’t want her glasses broken by her grand baby, or removing a piece of metal out of a welder’s eye after fixing his boat trailer.

Education?
I went to undergraduate at a small liberal arts college in northern Missouri, Truman State University, where I received a bachelor’s degree in health science. Then I received my doctorate from University of Missouri- St. Louis College of Optometry and graduated with honors as a member of Beta Sigma Kappa.

Best thing about living in Alaska?
The majesty of the mountains and the summer sunshine.

Fun fact about you?
I love numbers and patterns. For example, my wedding date was 2/14/16. I also now realize after trying to answer this question, I need more exciting hobbies.

What do you wish you could tell every patient?
Slow down, breathe, and learn to find joy in the ordinary. And, please stop cleaning your glasses with your shirt and wear safety glasses!

Why do you like working at Wolf Eye Center?
I have never come across such a diverse scope of practice. In a day at the office I can see pediatrics in one room and have a trauma in the next. I constantly have to stay on my toes and I love the challenge. I also get to work with wonderful people who truly want to take care of our community. Working together towards the common goal of helping people see better is a beautiful thing.

Austin Anderson, OD

What do you enjoy doing when not at work?
I love spending time with my family and having friends over to play games. Beyond that, I enjoy music and playing guitar. I also look forward to traveling to new places and especially going to see family.

Kids/Pets?
I have two wonderful children that I love being a dad to.

What do you love about practicing Optometry?
It’s special to improve and maintain the primary sense. I also enjoy meeting and getting to talk to so many people every day.

Education?
I went to Brigham Young University-Idaho for my undergrad, Pacific University-Oregon for graduate school, and completed a residency in Ocular Disease at the Spokane Washington VA hospital.

Best thing about living in Alaska?
1) The seasons.
2) The mountains every day out my window.
3) Good people. Neighborly neighbors.

Fun fact about you?
I love hearing a good story or hearing a good joke.

What do you wish you could tell every patient?
“Don't worry, everyone gets cataracts.”

Why do you like working at Wolf Eye Center?
My colleagues and staff are top notch; great managers and people around me to make my job even more enjoyable than it already is.

Jessica Thornton, OD

What do you enjoy doing when not at work?
You’ll normally find me outside- trying to conquer my next hike, cross-country skiing, or backpacking a new route! But I also love relaxing on the couch with a movie or playing board games at home.

Kids/Pets?
I have two furry felines at home, Whiskey and Henle. They are both visually impaired from being born with the herpes feline virus, but that doesn’t stop them from trying to rule the house. Henle is completely blind and Whiskey has one eye.

What do you love about practicing Optometry?
I love the big impact that can be made on a patients’ life, which is something I experienced first hand. I received my first pair of glasses when I was 12 and like many patients, didn’t realize how bad my vision was until that day. I still remember how it felt to see the landscape for the first time clearly on the car ride home. Nothing beats the feeling of giving this experience back to my patients.

Education?
I graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2014 with a Bachelors of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. I graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2018 with a Doctorate in Optometry and a Masters degree in Education. In 2019 I completed a residency in ocular disease at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center.

Best thing about living in Alaska?
The sheer, incredible magnitude of the nature, the seasons, and the opportunities to explore them. I like to say that Alaska is all best things from the Lower 48 but bigger and with less people.

Fun fact about you?
Every year on or before my birthday I try to cross another item off my bucket list. They can be small things (like doing a pull-up) to large things (like traveling to see the freshwater Amazon dolphins)!

What do you wish you could tell every patient?
Don’t stress about the refraction (aka, the “which is better, 1 or 2” test). Many patients (myself included) worry that they aren’t making the right choice or fear they are “failing”. This process is meant to get the best prescription possible for your eyes and is not meant to be stressful or to trick you. Just answer honestly (even if they truly look the same) and it will all work out awesome!

Why do you like working at Wolf Eye Center?
I love the collaborative work environment, the family atmosphere, and of course the diverse patient experiences. My day can involve anything from seeing a child for their first exam, to fitting contact lenses, to treating ocular disease, and everything in between. There’s never a dull moment at Wolf!

Yennhi Tran, OD

What do you enjoy doing when not at work?
Anything that gets me outside and gets my heart jumping - XC and BC Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, FISHING, camping, biking, etc.

Kids/Pets?
My black lab, Manni, has been my copilot and best friend for the last 14 years. He’s still summiting small mountains and loves the outdoors as much as me. Baby Summit is the newest addition, a feisty lab mix who is learning to love the outdoors too.

What do you love about practicing Optometry?
I love interacting with patients, learning how they use their eyes, and giving them the best recommendations to enhance their vision.

Education?
BA in Biology at Sonoma State University, CA. Doctor of Optometry Degree from Southern California College of Optometry

Best thing about living in Alaska?
There are too many amazing things to just pick one, but the endless sunshine in the summer months is extraordinary.

Fun fact about you?
My bowling team, which consisted of my 3 brothers and I, took 1st place in our league 2 years in a row.

What do you wish you could tell every patient?
“Kindness is a gift anyone can afford to give without losing anything in return.” Be kind to those around you, and our staff. There’s no such thing as too much kindness.

Why do you like working at Wolf Eye Center?
We have an amazing team that works coherently with one another, all while enjoying our days at work. Having a great work family is such a blessing!