Eye Surgical Associates History
Eye Surgical Associates is the most experienced and largest ophthalmology practice in the city of Lincoln, with a long tradition of service to patients and referring doctors. The practice was founded in 1940 by Maynard Wood, M.D., the first residency-trained ophthalmologist to practice in Lincoln. His son, Larry Wood, M.D., joined him in 1973. The practice officially became Eye Surgical Associates when Max Linder, M.D., joined the Woods in 1979. The practice moved from 600 North Cotner to a new building at 5445 South Street in 1982. Dr. Maynard Wood retired after 50 years in practice in 1990. Across town, Greg Sutton, M.D., and his wife Margaret Sutton, M.D., a dermatologist, established the Sutton Skin and Eye Clinic at 6900 L Street in 1982. Eye Surgical Associates and Sutton Skin and Eye merged in 1989, but continued to practice out of two different locations. The same year, Vince Sutton, M.D., brother to Dr. Greg Sutton, moved to Lincoln from Hastings and joined the practice. In 1994 Eye Surgical Associates and Sutton Ryan Dermatology built a modern 17,500 square foot facility in the present location at 1710 South 70th Street. Next door, Lincoln Surgical Center was built the same year, enlarged in 1999 and again in 2004. Kaylyn Jackman, O.D., an optometrist, joined the practice in 1999, and Thomas Graul, M.D., joined the group in 2000 after leaving his practice in Wisconsin. Eye Surgical Associates welcomed third-generation ophthalmologist Matthew Wood, M.D., son of Dr. Larry Wood, in 2004. In July 2008, Donald Sauberan, M.D., joined Eye Surgical Associates, and specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus. The end of 2009 brought some changes to Eye Surgical Associates. After serving the Lincoln community for 36 years with their vision needs (first partnering with his father, Dr.Maynard Wood, then partnering with his son, Dr. Matthew Wood), Dr Larry Wood decided to retire from practicing ophthalmology. In October 2010, Daniel Chruscicki, M.D. and in July 2011, David Pan, M.D. joined Eye Surgical and both doctors specialized in the medical and surgical treatment of the retina and vitreous. We welcomed Jordan Rixen, M.D. in 2014 specializing in cataract, corneal transplant and laser vision correction surgery. In March 2017, after nearly 40 years of caring for patients and practicing ophthalmology, Max W. retired from practice. A few months later, in the summer of 2017, David W. Blodgett, M.D. became a part of our ophthalmology practice and brought a new specialty to our patients. Dr. Blodgett’s expertise is in oculoplastic surgery and neuro-ophthalmology. As we continue to grow as a medical practice, we recently welcomed Michelle L. White, M.D. to Eye Surgical Associates in 2019. Dr. White specializes in cornea, cataracts and anterior segment surgery along with laser vision correction. The year 2020 brought the COVID pandemic along with many new challenges for physicians and medical clinics. In accordance with the CDC mandates, we implemented new protocols, which allowed our patients and staff to remain safe while receiving much needed medical assistance. In August 2020, we added two board certified physicians to Eye Surgical Associates. First we welcomed Thomas J.E. Clark, M.D. who specializes in Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. TJ Clark completed a two-year fellowship in Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Next, Samuel L. Thomsen, M.D. joined our practice. Dr. Thomsen specializes in Glaucoma, Cataracts and Laser Vision Correction and is a native of the Beatrice area. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dr. Thomsen completed a fellowship in glaucoma at the Dean McGee Eye Institute at the University of Oklahoma. The physicians at Eye Surgical Associates specialize in medical and surgical treatments of the eye in order to better serve our patients specific needs.
