Our Doctors

​​​​​Dr. William "Will" Smith, an accomplished Optometrist, educator, and proud member of the Beaches community, has a dynamic professional journey and a heart for service.

Originally from Greenville, SC, Dr. Smith pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Tennessee, where he earned a B.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cellular Biology while also competing as a placekicker for the football team. His journey continued with distinction at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Optometry. Dr. Smith further honed his skills during a residency at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, focusing on specialty contact lenses, low vision, and ocular disease management.

Previously, Dr. Smith served as the Optometric clinic director at Advanced Vision Care in Beverly Hills, California, where his focus encompassed Anterior Segment Disease, Therapeutic Contact Lenses, and Surgical co-management. Engaged in various clinical studies, such as Avedro corneal-crosslinking, Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT), Humanoptics Artificial Iris Transplant, and meibomian gland dysfunction, he contributed significantly to the advancement of eye care. Dr. Smith's commitment to knowledge dissemination is evident through his peer-reviewed publications and lectures on anterior and posterior eye diseases.

Outside his professional endeavors, Dr. Smith dedicates his time to volunteer work with organizations like Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), Special Olympics, WeCare, and Camp Abilities. He actively contributes to the Southeastern Congress of Optometry (SECO) as a member of the planning board and remains an integral part of the Northeast Florida Optometric Society and American Optometric Association.

When not immersed in the world of eye care, Dr. Smith finds joy in water sports and embarks on adventures with his beloved wife, Christie, and their daughters, Shea and Andie.

​​​​​Dr. Stephen Pullen, an alumnus of The Bolles School, continued his education at The University of Alabama. He earned his doctorate in Optometry from The Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was honored with the VSP Clinical Excellence Award. Initiating his Optometry career in Kingsport, Tennessee, Dr. Pullen opened a solo private practice, with a primary emphasis on primary care and children's vision.

After eight years in Tennessee, Dr. Pullen returned to Jacksonville, succeeding his mentors, Drs. James Watts and Donna Sherrill, in the Mandarin area. Over more than two decades, Pullen Eye Care has prioritized an efficient patient experience using LEAN principles, emphasizing personalized care with state-of-the-art technology and a highly skilled staff.

Areas of clinical interest include specialty contact lenses, glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, binocular vision issues, and preventative eye care. Actively involved in professional organizations, Dr Pullen is a member of the Northeast Optometric Society, as well as the American Optometric and Florida Optometric Associations.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Pullen and his wife Kelly are the proud parents of three adult children. When he is not at the office, you'll find him embracing his inner pit master, and enjoying activities like fishing, boating, and golf.

​​​​​Dr. Brett O’Connor, a Jacksonville native, has pursued a unique professional journey fueled by a passion for eye care. After graduating with honors from the University of Florida, he developed a strong interest in research and product development during an internship at Johnson & Johnson Vision. He went on to graduate with highest honors from Southern College of Optometry in Tennessee, where he earned clinical, academic, and leadership distinctions, including the Drs. Fred and Charlene Burnett Student Research Award.

Following graduation, Dr. O’Connor returned to his hometown to join Dr. Stephen Pullen in private practice, whose mentorship reinforced the importance of personalized patient care and a lifelong commitment to clinical excellence. Today, he divides his professional time between patient care and consulting for companies developing new technologies to enhance the diagnosis and management of eye conditions. In addition to primary care optometry, Dr. O’Connor is at the forefront of the field of myopia management and frequently publishes on the topic, including as a recurring columnist for Contact Lens Spectrum’s “Mastering Myopia” series. Dr. O’Connor is always eager to discuss the  latest advances in vision care.

Dr. O’Connor is actively involved in organized optometry, having served for many years on the executive board of the Northeast Florida Optometric Society, most recently as President. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association and Florida Optometric Association.

Outside the clinic, Dr. O’Connor enjoys life on the First Coast with his wife, Coral, and their two young children. He can often be found out on the water, playing disc golf, or spending time with extended family in the Jacksonville area. 

​​​​​Dr. Dawson Hey is a Jacksonville native who is proud to return to Northeast Florida to serve the community he has long called home. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Dr. Hey developed an early interest in Optometry after being a patient of the now retired, Dr. Todd Bowman for many years—an experience that inspired his passion for providing compassionate, patient-centered eye care.

Dr. Hey attended Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, FL before continuing his education at Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. During his time at Florida State, he was also involved with the men’s basketball program, contributing to a team that achieved an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship.

Following his undergraduate studies, Dr. Hey pursued his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. His clinical training included rotations at the Tallahassee VA, where he gained extensive experience in diagnosing and managing ocular disease; EyeCare Associates in Birmingham, Alabama, where he developed a strong foundation in comprehensive primary eye care; and The Dry Eye Center of Alabama, where he received specialized training in the evaluation and treatment of dry eye disease as well as knowledge in fitting specialty contact lenses

​​​​​For over 30 years, Dr. Todd Bowman devoted his career to providing unparalleled eye care to our community. As one of the founding partners of Woods, Lanier, Bowman, Dr. Bowman was known not only for his clinical expertise but also for his incredible sense of humor, deep knowledge of trivia, and love for all sports.

Dr. Bowman’s commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on our practice, and we are honored to carry forward the legacy he helped create. We wish him all the best as he embarks on a well-deserved retirement in Nashville, TN, surrounded by his family.