ABOUT US
At Parizo’s Champlain Valley Eyecare, you can always expect unparalleled customer service
and hospitality with expert attention to eye health, function and your appearance!
Pamela Parizo ABOC
Pamela is the managing owner of Champlain Valley Eyecare and believes she has
the best of both worlds; the work she adores and her close knit family whom she
loves deeply. She puts a lot into her work and greets each day with boundless
energy, warmth and a sense of humor.
Her hard work and dedication earned her an award for being one of the 50 most
influential women in the optical industry by the Jobson Optical group in 2003,
while still taking time to serve her community. In 2004, Pamela was awarded the Sandra Larabee award as a role model for the
American Cancer Society mission (as a breast cancer survivor helping others).
The National American Cancer Society also recognized Pamela with the Therese
Lasser Award for outstanding work on behalf of the Reach to Recovery program.
In 1984, Pamela’s career journey began when she applied for and got a receptionist and frame
stylist position at an optician's office. Working as an apprentice, Pamela
enrolled in the Vermont Opticianry Apprentice program, an intensive three-year
program, which also required her to earn continuing education credits. Once Pamela met the apprenticeship qualifications and passed the American Board
of Opticianry test, she earned her license to become a dispensing optician,
which she renews every two years.
In 1992 Pamela changed job locations and began work as an office manager and
optician. With a passion for her work, she soon spearheaded that business to the top
achiever in a chain of five stores. After ten years, she purchased the business
where she currently remains as the managing owner.
Married to Don Parizo for over 30 years, Pamela and Don have two daughters;
Amanda and Jacquie, and two grandchildren respectively; Jackson and Isabella,
all who are central to her life as are her patients at Champlain Valley
Eyecare.
In her free time, Pamela says with a chuckle, "I love to travel and exercise in
the out-of-doors, to browse local shops and most importantly, to take my
grandchildren wherever they lead me!"
Pamela Parizo ABOC
Dr. Frank Aquistapace
After 23 years of practicing Optometry, Dr. Aquistapace offers high praises for his 19 years working at Champlain Valley Eyecare. “I enjoy the staff and we truly are a team. Here, I have been allowed to practice full scope optometry. Champlain Valley Eyecare has provided me with the staff, equipment and support that have allowed me to provide top notch care for my patients. Our size allows us to interact with all of our patients on many different levels. The greatest part is that patients have come to appreciate the quality of care we provide and the personal touch we strive to provide to everyone.” The Rutland Herald and its readers have awarded Dr. Aquistapace the “Best of the Best in Optometry”.
After 23 years of practicing Optometry, Dr. Aquistapace offers high praises for his 19 years working at Champlain Valley Eyecare. “I enjoy the staff and we truly are a team. Here, I have been allowed to practice full scope optometry. Champlain Valley Eyecare has provided me with the staff, equipment and support that have allowed me to provide top notch care for my patients. Our size allows us to interact with all of our patients on many different levels. The greatest part is that patients have come to appreciate the quality of care we provide and the personal touch we strive to provide to everyone.” The Rutland Herald and its readers have awarded Dr. Aquistapace the “Best of the Best in Optometry”.
Born and raised in Rutland, it was a natural choice for Dr. Aquistapace to
choose Optometry for his profession because he always had a fascination for how
the eye works and a driving desire to be employed in the field of medicine.
After 4 years of attending St. Michael’s College and receiving a BS in science, Frank attended the Southern College of
Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, graduating cum laude in 1988 with his Doctor
of Optometry degree. Dr. Aquistapace’s undergraduate and professional degree required an extensive eight years of
higher education. And more; demonstrating his commitment to his patients and
his profession, Dr. Aquistapace voluntarily surpasses the Dr. of Optometry
licensing requirement of earning 40 hours of continuing education every two
years, by attending additional seminars that keep him abreast of new
technologies and the most recent information.
Although Frank enjoys hunting, fishing, and sporting clay, he loves most
spending time with his family, his wife and two sons who are currently both in
college.
Dr. Frank Aquistapace OD
Karen Barnard ABOC
As an eyeglass and contact lens wearer and employee as an optical sales associate for a local retailer, Karen was eager to learn much more about how optics worked. After three years as a sales associate, her desire to find other employment that offered an apprenticeship called her to respond to a help wanted ad for Champlain Valley Eyecare where she began her tenure and an apprenticeship under Pamela Parizo 11 years ago.
As an eyeglass and contact lens wearer and employee as an optical sales associate for a local retailer, Karen was eager to learn much more about how optics worked. After three years as a sales associate, her desire to find other employment that offered an apprenticeship called her to respond to a help wanted ad for Champlain Valley Eyecare where she began her tenure and an apprenticeship under Pamela Parizo 11 years ago.
After serving as an apprentice for three years, Karen joined the Optician’s Association of Vermont and took The American Board of Opticians examination
and obtained her license in December of 2002. Every two years, Karen takes ten hours of continuing education requirements to
maintain her license.
When asked about what she likes most about working at Champlain Valley Eyecare,
Karen is not shy, “We are a close knit well-oiled machine that delivers the best quality eyewear on
the planet with the best quality service available.”
Out of work, Karen loves spending time with her husband, children and a
beautiful grandson where they are often found camping, fishing, snowmobiling,
traveling and occasionally on a cruise.
And of course, there are frequent Opticianry discussions with her husband, who
is also an Optician.
Karen Barnard ABOC
Amanda Barber ABOC
With half of her life spent in this field, when asked about how she became
interested in the field of Opticians, Amanda bubbles with enthusiasm. “I am a second generation optician which is rare. It is very near and dear to my
heart. I grew up playing in the hot box---watching lenses made and edged and
learning how to put screws into frames after school. I have always found this
field so interesting because it’s one of the few places where medical, technology, fashion, retail, and customer
service converge. Not to mention a new pair of glasses can change someone’s life; giving them sight and a new look---both function and fashion.”
Currently, Amanda serves the Opticians Association of Vermont as Vice President
and in the past as Secretary and Treasurer. She is also the Communications
Committee Chair of the Opticians Association of America where she is currently
a Board nominee.
Licensed in both New York and Vermont, each state having slightly different
requirements, Amanda has the added advantage of passing a practical test in New
York. She stays updated in her profession by attending seminars and classes to
meet her continuing education credit requirements. Amanda’s experience is broad having worked in corporate environments and optometrist
and ophthalmology practices.
Asked about what she likes most about working at Champlain Valley Eyecare?
Amanda is unmistakably clear. “Everything! This is the only place I have ever worked where everyone is licensed
and extremely knowledgeable. We work so well together that there is never a
break in the circle of care for our patients, which is critical. We’re intuitive about assisting one another. Although we’re small, together, we are an efficient community focused on optimum results for
our patients. We all care for each other and our community and it’s great to be part of that.”
As a loving mother of a preschooler, when Amanda leaves work her energy renews
as she attends to her son who means the world to her. Being in the outdoors
with her son and her family and her friends are her greatest free time joys.
Amanda Barber ABOC
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Website and Champlain Valley Eyecare photographs by Susan Wonderly.com
