Our Team

Dr. Sara Starko

Optometrist and Owner

Taylor

Licensed Optician and Director of First Impressions

"Taylor was raised on an acreage outside of Edmonton where she attended Ardrossan Junior Senior High School. Growing up in an agriculture based family she has stayed close to her roots. In the summer she can be found competing on the pro rodeo trail in barrel racing with her 4 horses.

Taylor has since moved to the Thorsby area and in her off time she enjoys spending time with her dog Tuff, hiking, and hanging out with friends.

After being in the optical industry for 3 years, Taylor decided to further her career and attended the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology where she completed the Optical Sciences - Eyeglasses program and has recently received her opticians license.

Taylor has been with Countryside Vision Care since day 1!"

Shelley

Frame and Lens Expert

"Shelley grew up on a grain farm in Leduc County as one of three sisters. Growing up she enjoyed shaking pom poms and waving flags in the Driller's Marching Band colour party, which was the community band in Leduc at the time, and later she played the clarinet in parades. In grade 8 Shelley was allowed to join her older sister in the Leduc Composite High School choir and an interest in singing was fostered. Shelley and her sisters enjoyed singing and performing together for a number of years and Shelley went on to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree at the University of Alberta. She currently sings with the Leduc Community Choir the Piatta Forma Singers.

Shelley now lives in Leduc with her husband Chris and, aside from singing, enjoys going for walks, spending time with her husband, family, and friends, and she loves to travel. So far she has had the opportunity to get to 12 different countries.

Shelley began working in the eye care industry in 2015 and has enjoyed being able to assist customers in a number of ways including finding and fitting their new frames. She looks forward to helping you at Countryside Vision Care!"

"Dr. Sara Starko is ecstatic that her clinic is part of the Calmar community. Dr. Starko chose to open her practice in Calmar as she is the niece of Dr. Grant Davies and Dr. Nhung Tran-Davies. Dr. Starko grew up on a farm outside of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. She went through the catholic school system in Fort Saskatchewan then moved on to Grant MacEwan University where she and a friend founded the Grant MacEwan Pre-Optometry club.

Because optometry has been her life-long passion, Dr. Starko went on to receive numerous awards and recognition during her training at the Illinois College of Optometry. She was the Vice President of the Gold Key Honor Society and President of the Private Practice Club, wherein she was awarded the Preston Cup as voted on by club leaders from all optometry institutions in America. Recently, Dr. Starko was awarded the Leduc Chamber of Commerce 2019 "Young Business Leader of the Year" which can be seen on display at Countryside Vision Care. Despite her many leadership awards, she feels that her greatest accomplishment as a student was running the Chicago Marathon with her mom.

Dr. Starko strongly believes in being active and supporting the community in every way she can. She is a member of Leduc Chamber of Commerce and Rotary International.

When Dr. Starko is not seeing patients, she enjoys spending time with her toddler, water sports, hiking, running, playing the saxophone, and yoga. In the winter months she can be found in the mountains of Sicamous, BC snowmobiling with friends and family."