Professional Associations
Our Doctors of Optometry (Optometrists)
Dr. Joanna K. Phillips, B. Optom (Hons)
“Dr. Jo” has extensive experience in primary care optometry and aims to deliver quality eyecare and to give you the best vision possible. She prides herself on her personalized service and patient education, and does this in a family-friendly manner. She has been practicing in the Bow Valley since January 2007. She has a personal interest in nutrition for eye health, workplace visual assessment and computer vision, pre- and post-refractive laser correction, and contact lens fitting. She believes that it is necessary to have the highest levels of technology available, in order to best treat and care for her patients’ eyes.
Dr. Joanna “Jo” Phillips received her Bachelor of Optometry with Honours from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia in 2001. Her undergraduate work included a 5-week practicum in India, at Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital. This encouraged Dr. Jo’s interest in ocular disease, trauma and the related treatment of this.
After graduation, Dr. Jo first practiced in a rural setting in New South Wales. It was there that she found her passion for children’s vision care, working in a large behavioural optometry practice.
Dr. Jo has a strong commitment to community service including educating students about eye-care and eye health through several of the Bow Valley’s schools. She was previously a member of the Bow Valley Early Childhood Development Coalition.
She has also participated in programs for education of new mothers regarding eyecare. She thoroughly enjoys her time spent volunteering at many community events. Dr. Jo has developed educational programs for young children in school and preschool to help them learn about keeping their eyes healthy. She has also spent time in Grade 8 French Immersion science class at Lawrence Grassi. Dr. Jo has travelled internationally to Nepal to provide eye-care services in remote villages.
Dr. Phillips is a member of the Alberta Association of Optometrists, and the Alberta College of Optometrists.
Dr. Jared J. Gervais, O. D
Dr. Jared Gervais graduated with distinction from Pacific University in 2006 with his Doctor of Optometry degree. He completed an externship in Anchorage, Alaska at a family eyecare practice and then co-managed refractive laser surgery and cataract surgery patients in Portland, Oregon. This was followed by an externship at a Veteran Affairs Hospital in southern Oregon, which specialized in ocular disease and glaucoma management and treatment. During his studies, Dr. Gervais completed his thesis with Nike researching the optical quality of sunglasses and how this relates to visual performance.
Shortly after completing his optometry degree Dr. Gervais began practicing in the Bow Valley, and currently practices here full-time. He is a member of the Alberta Association of Optometrists and the Calgary Society of Optometrists.
Dr. Gervais has a special interest in glaucoma and macular degeneration and works closely with specialists in Calgary and Canmore to ensure his patients receive the best possible treatment options. With a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Health Physiology, Dr. Gervais is also interested in how overall health and diet relate to healthy eyes and good vision.
When he is not in the clinic, Dr. Gervais enjoys cycling, trail running, and cross-country skiing. He is an avid mountain bike racer and enjoys participating and volunteering in many of the local events. He also supports trail building in the Bow Valley and is a volunteer bicycle mechanic with Canmore Community Cruisers.