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Havre Optometric Clinic

Dr. Douglas A. Safley, F.A.A.O.

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Dr. Safley graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1976 where he was vice president of the Student Optometric Association and a senator in the University Senate. After joining the US Navy, he became the chief optometrist at Mare Island Naval Station in Vallejo, Ca. until 1978. He then came back to Montana and bought the practice of George Johnson. Dr. Obie joined him a few months later and together they began the Havre Optometric Clinic. He has had many professional accomplishments including being selected Young Optometrist of the Year in 1980, becoming a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 1988, serving as President of the Montana Optometric Association in 1991-92, receiving the recognition of Optometrist of the Year 1992 and Special Achievment Award from the Montana Optometric Association in 1993. He has been involved with many local groups including being President of the Havre Area Chamber in 1983, President of Havre Rotary Club in 1982-83, Chairman of City County Planning Board in 1986 and Advisor to the Havre Area Economic Development Coalition in the 1980's. He has been a member of the Bullhook Bottoms Barbershop Chorus since 1992 and director of the group since 1998. Dr. Safley has lectured on a variety of optometric topics to groups in both Montana and Canada including the Montana Educators Association state meeting, many local school groups and service organizations, Montana Paraoptometric Association and college classes at Northern Montana College.


Dr. Gary M. Stremcha

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Dr. Stremcha graduated "with distinction" from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1985. While in optometry school he was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa, an optometric honor fraternity. He also received the Barnes Hind Award for outstanding achievement in contact lens studies. Dr. Stremcha returned to Montana after graduation and started practice in Scobey and then Billings. He joined the Havre Optometric Clinic in October of 1993. Dr. Stremcha served as the president of the Montana Optometric Association in 1998-99. He is a member of the Havre Lions Club and is active in Havre Youth Hockey and Girls Fastpitch Softball.


Dr. Larry G. Obie

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Dr. Larry Obie is a Montana native and a graduate of Pacific Univ. College of Optometry, 1977. He moved to Havre in 1977 and in 1978 formed the Havre Optometric Clinic with Dr. Safley. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Montana Optometric Association. He received the "Young Optometrist of the Year" award in 1981 and is a past president of the MOA, 1983-84. He received the "Distinguished Service Award" from the MOA in 2002. He is a member and past president of the Havre Kiwanis Club and a member of the Havre Chamber of Commerce. He has a satellite practice in Chinook and is there two days a week. He is a member and past president of the Chinook Chamber of Commerce and the Chinook Lions Club. Dr. Obie is a member of the Board of Optometry, the regulatory body for the profession and is currently the President of that board. He is married to Loretta and has two children. Tiffany, married to Trever Waldron and living in Bozeman, MT and Nick, a Senior at the University of Redlands in southern California. Dr. Obie enjoys flying, golf, hunting and reading.


Kay M. Stoppa, CPOA

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Kay Stoppa is our office manager. Originally from Michigan, Kay has been with us since 1980 starting as part-time office help. Kay started as a receptionist but soon became an expert frame consultant and dispenser. From there she went on to become trained in contact lenses, visual therapy, visual fields, and eventually became the manager for an ever growing staff. Kay has been trained in all areas of the office and is the 'go to' person whenever something needs to be taken care of. Her expertise and her drive led her to become one of the first registered optometric assistants in Montana in 1984. She has served 2 terms as President of the Montana Paraoptometric Association and has also served on several committees. On the national level, she has served on the Education Committee of the ParaOptometric Section of the American Optometric Association. She has twice won the Paraoptometric of the Year award for Montana. She is a member of the AOA, Paraoptometric Section and Montana Paraoptometric Association. Kay has been very active in the community and served as a Welcome Wagon hostess for many years. She is presently active in her church serving on the Memorial Committee and is Secretary of her Beta Sigma Phi Chapter.


May Johnke, CPO

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May graduated from Northern Montana College (now MSU-N) in 1988 with an Associate Degree in Secretarial Technology and Business Administration. She started work for the Havre Optometric Clinic in 1988 as a receptionist and she continued until 1992 when the spirit drove her to try something different. After one year away, she decided to rejoin the clinic staff and has been the head receptionist and leader of the front office staff since that time. She has been a member of the Montana Paraoptometric Association since 1988 and has served as Secretary for 2 terms. In 2003, she received the Paraoptometric of the Year award for her outstanding contributions to our office and paraoptometry throughout the state. In May 2005, she passed her certification test and became a Certified ParaOptometric (CPO). She is active in her church and serves as a women's counselor and is on the Praise team. Her hobbies include singing with the Wild Rose Harmonizers and also singing for weddings and funerals. She is currently a board member of Northern Showcase.