Jackson Eye Associates

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THE EYE BANK OPENED MY EYES

Kenneth P. Toler, Jr., M.D., knew from his very first day in medical school exactly what he wanted to do for a career, and he hasn’t looked back since.

“When I started out at medical school, I had a job at the eye bank harvesting eyes,” Toler recounts. “I would deliver corneas to different ophthalmologists, and they would be gracious enough to let me watch them do surgery. I was so fortunate to watch countless surgeries that first year and I thought that was just the absolute, coolest thing in the world. So, from day one in med school, that's what I wanted to do.”

His interest pays dividends to his patients. “First and foremost, I enjoy seeing patients in the office and then treating their different diseases. I love doing surgery because performing surgery makes my patients better and allows them to see things that they couldn't see before. Performing cataract surgeries or Lasik surgeries brings joy back to my patients and I enjoy that."

“It's the energy and commitment to patients that makes Jackson Eye Associates stand out. We are different from other eye clinics because we do have so many specialists and we can treat so many different things. It's convenient to the patients whenever they come to see us because with such a large and closely connected group, we always have someone that can take care of the patient's needs. It’s also just a lot of fun to work with so many awesome and smart people that are all committed to providing the very best care to our patients.” Toler expresses.

When he’s not at the clinic, he still has an equal zeal for life and loves to travel with his wife. “We've been married for about six years now, but I still feel like we're still on our honeymoon. We have a lot of fun together and I love to travel with her and see what adventures come our way.”

IT'S ALL ABOUT BALANCE

Choosing ophthalmology for Dr. Browning seemed like a perfect fit. "I enjoy the balance of seeing patients in the clinic as well as performing surgeries and getting the opportunity to improve and preserve a patient's vision."

I JUST LIKE WHAT I DO

Professionally speaking, he enjoys the relationships he builds with his patients, adding “I just like what I do. I've been in practice for over 40 years now and several of those patients have been with me since the first year. I am able to follow my patients long-term.”

IT'S A CHALLENGE I LIKE

As a young boy growing up in Macon, Mississippi, John McVey spent hours on end tinkering. He loved to build and fix things, and particularly, small things and small parts. He found joy in the tinkering and success in the ability to make things work. Now, Dr. John McVey, is still tinkering but in a very specialized way, helping his pediatric ophthalmology patients improve their quality of eyesight.

DR. McGUFFEY TEACHES AT ASCRS

Our own JEA physician, Dr. Daniel McGuffey, recently helped teach a wet lab on advanced lens fixation techniques at the annual American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) meeting alongside his mentor, Dr. Kamran Riaz. *<br>* *<br>* Photo: Dr. McGuffey 2nd from right; Dr. Riaz 6th from left

IT'S CARE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL

Taylor Smith, M.D. chose ophthalmology because it is a field where results show up quickly for patients. "You get to help people and see your results pretty quickly. It's interesting to follow people for years and get to see their kids and their family members and their friends. It's a rewarding profession," explains Dr. Smith.

WHEN THEY'RE HAPPY, I'M HAPPY

His extensive schooling and varied locales prepared Dr. Alex Whittington for a career in Comprehensive Eye Exams, Cataract Surgery and Eyelid Surgery but he is most happy when he is able to help give his patients restorative function.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONTACT LENSES

Our newest physician, [Charles D. McGuffey, M.D.](https://jacksoneye.com/physicians?30), is a specialist for Cornea & External Disease, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery. He is providing education for all our contact lens users.

IT WAS PERFECT FOR ME AND I LOVE IT

Take a pinch of the Mississippi Delta. Add a generous heaping of a nurse’s heart.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER TO DIVE

Dr. Mallette is a homegrown Jacksonian. After a pivot from Vanderbilt with plans to be a lawyer to pre-med at Millsaps focused on medicine, Mallette had major influences along the journey. The switch from law to ophthalmology was a surprise for some.

THE COOLEST JOB IN THE WORLD

A second generation ophthalmologist, Dr. Mark G. Kosko knew from an early age his father’s calling would be his. “I remember praying to God at five years old that I could grow up to do what my dad did too,” he poignantly recalls. “I grew up around my father’s office. I saw him love what he did and I saw his patients love him right back. I just thought that was the coolest job in the world.”

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