Meet the Doctors & Staff

Croley, James James E. Croley III, M.D.

At the age of 14, Dr. Croley made the commitment to become an Eye M.D. and help people with vision problems. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cumberland College and attended medical school at the University of Miami. He then completed his internship at Baptist Medical Centers in Birmingham, Alabama. His eye residency was at the University of Alabama Eye Foundation Hospital where he became Chief Resident and House Staff Representative.

In 1980 Dr. Croley moved to Southwest Florida to open his practice and has since been very active in the development of new advances in Ophthalmology. He has travelled extensively across the nation and overseas consulting with other eye M.D.’s to promote excellence in eye care. Dr. Croley has been involved in the design and development of Electronic Medical Records and Telemedicine for more than 20 years.

Although he left Kentucky after graduating from college, his ties to his hometown are very strong. He is an active board member of the University of the Cumberlands and the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. He was even bestowed with the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel!

Even though he is so busy at the office, Dr. Croley enjoys cooking and entertaining. He loves to travel and spends lots of time spoiling his grandchildren. Very active in his church, Dr. Croley donates his time and resources whenever possible to help those in need, such as volunteering his services to the Lion’s Club Vision Clinic. The passion he had to become an eye doctor all those years ago is ever growing. His long-time employees are treated like family and enjoy working for such an honest and caring doctor.

Jernigan, Terry Terry Jernigan, Administrator

Terry has been working with Dr. Croley since 1989 and has been his administrator since 1996. While Terry might not be in the room helping with your exam, she is the glue that holds our office together. She oversees all office operations and specializes in insurance, billing and payments. With all those years by Dr. Croley’s side Terry is our behind the scenes “go-to girl”. Her employees know she is great at what she does because whether she’s been on the phone for an hour or knee deep in paperwork she always has time for her team, and she does it with a smile. In Terry’s free time she enjoys spending time with her family and going to dinner on Friday nights with great friends.

Coyle, Christina Christina Coyle, C.O.A.

In memory of Christina, our veteran JCAHPO certified Ophthalmic Assistant who lost her battle with Lymphoma in February, 2011. Christina had been with Dr. Croley from 1987 until 2011. With so many years under her belt her certifications really added up. She was certified in Lasik, Conductive Keratoplasty and surgical assisting. Her love for her husband and son and her faith in God set Christina in a league of her own. She was soft spoken with a heart of gold. This spilled into how she treated every patient she met. Christina was a breath of fresh air that everyone will always remember. Her presence is still felt in the office, in the hearts of our coworkers and many patients who were lucky enough to know her and she will truly be missed.

Funk, Veronica Veronica Funk, C.O.A.

Veronica has been working with Dr. Croley since 1996. She is a JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant who also helps with insurance and billing. Veronica treats all her patients like a friend. She not only cares whether you see “better with lens 1 or 2” but also how you’ve been. She’ll even ask about your family with her warm gestures. As your visit comes to an end there is a good chance you will see her at the check-out desk thanking you for coming in. She may even share a cute moment about her young son that, besides Dr. Croley’s office, is her world.

Lessard, Nora Nora Lessard, C.O.T., Physician Liaison

Nora is a JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Technician who is also certified in Conductive Kerotoplasty. Nora has been working with Dr. Croley since 2001 and runs many areas of his practice. Between taking care of all of our contact lens patients, testing for Lasik surgeries and performing tonometry, Nora acts as a Physician Liaison between Dr. Croley and other physicians in the area to help provide the best patient care possible. If that’s not enough, Nora will take time away from her husband and two beautiful children to help with visual screenings at expos at different events in the area. In her spare time she enjoys reading, playing piano and working in her garden.

DeLao, Elsy Elsy DeLao, Ophthalmic Assistant

Elsy is our bilingual Ophthalmic Assistant who is also certified in Conductive Keratoplasty. Her humorous approach to life can take any situation and turn it into a good laugh. When she is not home with her husband and three boys, she is multi-tasking her way through our office. Elsy has been working with Dr. Croley since 2002 and takes on many responsibilities, including translating for patients who are having their surgeries at our surgery center and has even taken on the role of an Optician when needed. Elsy is always willing to give a helping hand and is appreciated throughout our office.

Truelsen, Kathy Kathy Truelsen, Receptionist

Kathy has been working with Dr. Croley since 2002 and any job she is given she does fast and well. Kathy is the friendly voice you hear when you call to make your appointment and the smiling face you see as you walk into our office. She is more than just an ordinary receptionist, she makes every effort known to accommodate patients and their needs. Her love for family and animals shows in her kindness at work with her fellow employees and every patient who walks in the door.

Acuna, Heather Heather Acuna, A.B.O.C., N.C.L.E.C.

Heather has been working with Dr. Croley since 2007. She is a licensed Optician and has been in the optical business for over 10 years. She is fun, energetic and can keep everyone on their toes! Heather is very passionate about the work she does and treats the optical as her very own. She is A.B.O. and N.C.L.E. certified, which reflects on how knowledgeable she is. Heather has a very crafty nature and can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. You can see a few examples of the work she’s done right in our optical shop. When not at work she loves to sing karaoke with her young daughter and watch reality T.V. with her husband.