Our Doctors

I am a highly trained and experienced doctor of optometry:

• 1977 Graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry
• Certified to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceuticals
• Professional and Civic Memberships:
  • Past President of the Indiana Optometry Board
  • Served 16 years on the Optometry Board
  • Clinical Examiner for the National Board of Optometry for 11 years
  • Clinical Instructor at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.
  • National Board Review Committee -until 2006
    
• Areas of Expertise:
  • Extensive Clinical Experience
  • Dr Benavente has served on the National Board Review Committee of the Association of Regulatory Board in Optometry. As a committee member he participate on the review of the national board examination questions that are given to the students taking their national board for licensure in states that accept national boards. Dr Benavente's last year on the board was in 2006.
  • Holds an MBA from Indiana University

  Dr Benavente has been involved with the regulation of Optometry and has contributed many hours to the profession. You can be assured, with Dr Benavente's vast clinical experience, your eyes will be well taken care of. Dr Benavente has been in practice for 33 years.

Dr. Veronica Ralick is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Optometry receiving the degree of Doctor of Optometry with honors in 2004.  She also went on to complete a residency training program in Hospital-based Primary Eye Care Optometry at the Boston VA Healthcare System in 2005.

Dr. Ralick has been in practice for 7 years and has recently returned to Northwest Indiana to provide eyecare; practicing optometry in the area since August 2010.  Though originally from Schererville, Indiana, she has also practiced optometry in Modesto, California and Tucson, Arizona gaining further insight and experience in private practice and retail optometry.  Dr. Ralick provides comprehensive primary eye care services, but has a special interest in specialty contact lens fittings as well as diagnosis and management of ocular disease.

Dr. Ralick enjoys giving back to the community, volunteering her professional services when possible.  While practicing in Arizona, she was able to volunteer her optometric services for the indigent children of Mexico through St. Andrew Childrens' Clinic in Nogales, Arizona.  Dr. Ralick has also been involved in mission trips associated with Indiana University to Guanajuato, Mexico during her optometric training.  The mission trips to Mexico were a very humbling experience where very basic vision care screenings were provided for thousands of indigent people who ordinarily have limited or no access to vision care.

Running, tennis and scrapbooking are acitivities that Dr. Ralick enjoys for relaxation.  She has participated in a few Half Marathons including more recently one of the largest half marathons, the Indianapolis Mini Marathon where she ran and finished with her husband and father.

Dr. Veronica Ralick hopes to use her previous professional experiences to advocate the importance of vision and ocular health care and become an active member of the Northwest Indiana community.