MEET THE TEAM
Dr. Shannon H. Mitchell
Optometrist
Dr. Shannon H. Mitchell grew up in Southern Idaho. He graduated cum laude in 2004 from Boise State University in
Boise, Idaho with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a minor in General Music. He later found his true
passion in the physics of sight and completed his doctoral degree in Optometry at Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon in 2010. Dr. Mitchell and his wife Molly developed an interest in the rural forest environs of the Green Mountains in Vermont and located here in 2010. Dr. Mitchell practiced in Stowe for nearly 8 years before opening Mad River Eye Care PLLC in Waitsfield. He has many interests in eye care, and is suited to the rural setting of Waitsfield with his diverse capabilities. He loves seeing people of all ages with a variety of eye care needs (see Our Services). In addition to eye care, Dr. Mitchell loves spending time with his wife and 4 kids biking, beach-combing, snowboarding, and loving life. He is active as a member of the lay clergy in his church, and enjoys participating in local theatre.
Ashley
Office Manager
Ashley started in the Optometry field over 10 years ago. Since the beginning she has been passionate about learning all aspects of eye care. Starting as a receptionist, then working as a technician and transitioning to billing and coding she is excited to now use her knowledge to step into the Office manager position and also learn and grow as an Optician Apprentice. She has obtained certification as a Paraoptometric Technician and holds a certificate in Optometric Management.
When outside the office, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on road trip adventures around New England, seeing live music, watching sports, and camping.
Ashley lives in Moretown with her husband, two daughters and recently added a Newfoundland puppy, Josey Wales, and a kitten, Chimichanga to the mix.
Danielle
Optician
Danielle joins us with over ten years of experience in the optometric field. She was born and raised in the Northeast Kingdom, spent her college years exploring up and down the east coast while studying Marketing & Technology. In true Danielle form, she completely switched gears and fell into medical optometry as a receptionist and has been passionate about it ever since. She has been trained and certified as a Paraoptometric Technician, Assistant and Vision Therapist, and is working toward her Optician's License. Now that she's back in Vermont you will find her running around our lab and office helping patients to see clearer and look great too!
Danielle is looking forward to planting new roots in the local area for the next chapters of her life. She loves to spend time with her three children, their mixed-mutt Jake and the most recent addition to her heart family--a rescue puppy named Banks.
Lenny
Optometric Technician
BIO COMING SOON
julia
Medical Receptionist
Meet our receptionist, Julia! She was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She has always had a passion for helping others. When she was 16 she got her CNA certification so she could lend her time to those who needed it more. From that point on, she was hooked. She worked in the medical field on and off for 6 years, so she’s experienced in dealing with people of all walks of life. Her favorite part of working in healthcare was always the patients. She has a bubbly and outgoing personality which makes her a great face of Mad River Eye Care! When she’s not working, Julia enjoys spending time with her family, 3 adorable cats (Salem, Earl Grey, and Jinx), reading (boy howdy does this girl read), going on adventures and playing video games.
malea
Malea was born and raised in Greensboro, Vermont with most of her extended family close by, where her father owned and ran his family business. She then moved to the Shelburne/Burlington area to finish other schooling. During her junior year, she met her now husband and they graduated together from CVU in 2020. A peak of interest in the medical field began for Malea during the pandemic, she started clinical work at a Covid-19 test site, swabbing patients and working alongside the lab.
Currently, she lives in Montpelier and is happy to travel to the valley for work, enjoying the beautiful drive each morning and evening. When she’s not at work, Malea enjoys spending time with her husband and two very spoiled dogs. They love to take long walks, hike, swim at the river or lake, spending as much time outside as possible. Malea also enjoys spending her time working out at the gym, and visiting with her close family and friends.
Molly Mitchell
CFO
Meet our CFO. Molly came on as the practice closed due to COVID. She works alongside Dr. Mitchell and Ashley the office manager to keep the practice in the black. Molly loves all things theatre, and loves to ski, and mountain bike. Most days you’ll find Molly negotiating with her 4 delightful albeit challenging children.