Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Jacklyn Alaquinez completed her undergraduate schooling at the University of the Incarnate Word, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology graduating Summa Cum Laude. She furthered her education by obtaining a Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Rosenberg School of Optometry after completing three optic clinical experiences. Dr. Alaquinez has been practicing since 2015 and joined Hill Country Vision Center the same year. Her favorite part of being an optometrist is working in Floresville and getting to know her patients and seeing the entire family year after year for eye exams. She loves seeing her young patients grow up through the years. Outside of work, Dr. Alaquinez loves spending time with her family, volunteering at church, and dancing ballet folklórico.

Dr. Monica Allison, OD was born in Dallas, TX . She attended college at Angelo State University and graduated with honors with her BS degree. While at Angelo State University she became interested in optometry as a profession. She attended the University of Houston College of Optometry and worked in a private practice in the Woodlands learning more about the profession. Dr. Allison was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society and the Gold Key Honor Society while at the University of Houston. She was also the recipient of the Health Professions Scholarship Program for the United States Army.

After graduation in 1998, her three year commitment began with the Army. It was while at the Officer Basic Course at Fort Sam Houston that she and her family fell in love with San Antonio. After her three year commitment ended, she returned to San Antonio to begin private practice life. She was able to purchase Stone Oak Vision Source in 2005 and has enjoyed growing the practice.

Dr. Allison is trained in the treatment and detection of ocular disease and is licensed as an optometric glaucoma specialist in Texas. She has updated the office with new equipment to provide comprehensive eye care for all ages. She is a participant in the Infant See program, sponsored by the American Optometric Association and provides comprehensive examinations to children under one year of age at no cost.

In addition, Dr. Allison is past president of the Bexar County Optometric Society. She was previously a member of the board of directors for the Texas Optometric Association and is an active member the American Optometric Association. She is also a Fellow of the Orthokeratology Academy of America. Dr Allison is certified to fit many different designs of corneal molding lenses. She enjoys finding the perfect solution to her patients’ needs whether it be specialty contact lenses, glasses, medical eye care, or a LASIK surgery consultation.

In her free time, Dr. Allison enjoys growing an extensive vegetable garden, traveling, and spending time with her amazing husband and their 5 kids.

Dr. Shelly Blaker completed her undergraduate schooling at the University of Houston, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She furthered her education by obtaining a Doctorate of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry. Dr. Blaker has been practicing at Hill Country Vision Center since 2004. She is also a member of the Texas Optometric Society and American Optometric Society. Her favorite part of being an optometrist is interacting with patients on a personal level while discussing their eye care needs. Outside of work, Dr. Blaker’s kids keep her busy with their baseball games, and cheer and dance competitions.

Dr. Omar Garza received his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Houston in 1999. His final year of optometric education included a year of externships in Madrid, Spain and the Spokane U.S. Veterans Medical Health Center. He also practiced briefly in Washington State following his graduation from Optometry school. In 200,1 Dr. Garza returned to the state he was born and raised in, Texas.

Dr. Garza was a government contractor for the United States Air Force (USAF). He was the head clinical optometrist for the Flying Class I (FCI) and Medical Flight Screening (MFS) programs at Brooks City Base located in south San Antonio. His tasks included comprehensive ophthalmologic and refractive examinations for all potential and future USAF pilots. Dr. Garza also supported the Aeromedical Clinical Services (ACS) Ophthalmology branch examining current USAF pilots who had any visually significant conditions such as glaucoma, keratoconus, cataracts and other eye diseases.

Dr. Garza is happily married to his wife who is also a native South Texan, and they have two young children. His faith and his family are the main focus of his life. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Dr. Garza is also fluent in Spanish and enjoys conversational Spanish with his patients

Dr. Kim Ip was born in Hong Kong and moved to Texas to attend O’Conner High School here in San Antonio. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then received her Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry. For her clinical rotation, she was trained at the Naval Medical Center at San Diego, California and the South Texas Veterans Eye Clinic in San Antonio, Texas. As a board certified therapeutic optometrist and an optometric glaucoma specialist in Texas, she treats and manages glaucoma, diabetes, dry eye, cataract, macular degeneration, and other eye diseases. She is also a member of the American Optometric Association and Texas Optometric Association. Dr. Ip returned to San Antonio after completing optometry school and is looking forward to becoming a part of the growing community here.

Dr. W. Steve Kroeger completed his undergraduate schooling at the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Optometry. He furthered his education by obtaining a Doctorate of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry. Dr. Kroeger has been practicing since 1976 and been with Hill Country Vision Center since 2009. He was inspired to become an optometrist so that he could improve his vision and be able to fly a military aircraft. With over forty years of eye care experience he believes he is at the top of his game! When Dr. Kroeger is not seeing patients, he loves to spend time at his ranch.

Dr. Gladdis Thomas completed her undergraduate schooling at Ohio State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. She furthered her education by obtaining a Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Rosenberg School of Optometry in San Antonio. She has been practicing and caring for her patients since 2014. Dr. Thomas is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society – with a lifetime commitment to leadership and service in the community. She is also a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. When not seeing patients, Dr. Thomas enjoys hiking, crafting, traveling, and spending time with her husband, toddler, and two Havanese pups.