Doctor & Staff

Meet the experienced and friendly doctors and staff who make Emerald Coast Eye Care the leading provider of vision care products and services in Panama City.

Dr. W. Payton Patterson

Dr. Patterson was born in Murray, Kentucky and spent his childhood in the small town of New Concord, KY. Upon graduating from Calloway County High School, Dr. Patterson attended Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Dr. Patterson went on to further his education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and received his Doctorate of Optometry in 2008.

Dr. Patterson provides comprehensive eye care including treatment and management of glaucoma, pre- and post-operative cataracts, eye infections, minor eye injuries, and the fitting of contact lenses and glasses. He fits many bifocal, RGP (hard contact lenses), and challenging toric (astigmatism) contact lens patients.

Dr. Patterson in board certified by the states of Florida, Alabama and Georgia. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Florida Optometric Association, West Florida Optometric Association, and Alabama Optometric Association.

In his spare time Dr. Patterson enjoys spending time with his wife, Kristy, and their sons, Will and John Andrew. He also enjoys many outdoor activities, including fishing, boating and bike riding. Dr. Patterson is an active member at the Jenks Avenue Church of Christ.

Mr. Paul Peterson, LDO

Mr. Paul was born and raised in Bay County, FL. He attended Springfield Elementary, Everitt Jr. High, Rutherford High School and Gulf Coast Community College. He currently resides in Callaway, FL.

Throughout Mr. Paul’s 50+ years experience in the optical industry, he has worked with thousands of patients, helping them find the perfect frames and lenses to meet their needs. He specializes in recommending frames that compliment every face shape and size. As an expert in lens materials, designs and treatments, he is a great resource for any questions about your eyewear.

In his spare time, Mr. Paul enjoys spending time with his friends and family, especially his wife, Teri, and their children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Kristy Patterson, MBA

Kristy was born in Baton Rouge, LA (Geaux Tigers!), and moved to Bay County with her parents, Jim and Marsha Holsombake, when she was 2 years old. After graduating from Mosley High School in 1999, Kristy moved to Searcy, AR, where she attended Harding University. She received her BBA in business management in 2002 and her MBA in August 2003. Harding University is also the location where she met her husband. They were married in June 2002.

Prior to the opening of Emerald Coast Eye Care, Kristy worked as a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial. Since August 2009, she has served as the office manager for Emerald Coast Eye Care.

In her free time, Kristy enjoys traveling, watching pretty sunsets, going for walks and spending time with her friends and family, especially her husband and two sons. Kristy and her family are active members at the Jenks Avenue Church of Christ.

Dana Hysmith, CPOA

Dana joined the Emerald Coast Eye Care team in November 2010 and became a Certified Paraoptometric Assistant in May 2015. She has been in the eye care industry since 2007.

Dana was born in Georgia, moved to Panama City when she was 10, and now resides in Wewahitchka.  In her free time, Dana enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors and eating out.

Mrs. Eve Keen

Eve joined the Emerald Coast Eye Care team in October of 2011. Eve was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to Panama City Beach, FL in 1999. Eve has over 30 years experience in the medical field. She enjoys meeting new people and making them feel comfortable when they come in to see the doctor. Eve is married to Del Keen, who was born and raised in Panama City. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and her 3 grandchildren.

Ms. Traci Dasher

Traci joined Emerald Coast Eye Care in February 2015, bringing with her 25 years of customer care experience.  Traci is a life long resident of Panama City, FL.  She is a graduate of Mosley High School and a graduate of the Ophthalmic Medical Assisting program at Wallace Community College in Dothan, AL.  Traci enjoys spending time swimming, fishing, and camping with family and friends.

Ms. Ashley Jones

Ashley joined the Emerald Coast Eye Care team in April 2018. She came to us with 2 years of comprehensive experience in the eye care industry. She was born and raised in the Upstate of South Carolina and moved to Florida in 2018. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family & friends, fishing, traveling, and doing arts & crafts.

Mrs. Stephanie Fine, CPO

Stephanie joined Emerald Coast Eye Care in September 2019.  She began her career in eye care in 2013 in Valparaiso, FL, and developed a love and passion for helping others.  Stephanie became a Certified Paraoptometric in 2015 while working in Baton Rouge, LA.

Stephanie was born in South Korea and was raised in various locations around the world, finally settling in Crestview, FL, when her father retired from the USAF.  She currently resides in Blountstown, FL, with her husband and two sons.

Mrs. Tammy Myers, ABO Certified

Originally from Pennsylvania, Tammy began her optical career over 24 years ago as an eyewear associate.  Tammy’s compassion, love for serving the public, and commitment to helping others to see more clearly was evident from the beginning.

Tammy and her husband, Jeff, relocated to the Tampa, FL area in 2009 to assist in the care of her elderly father-in-law.  Tammy’s desire to assist others with their eyecare needs led her to receive her ABO certification at Hillsborough College where she became more knowledgeable in lensometry, lens fabrication, contact lens training, tracking inventory, and sales and frame repair.

Tammy and Jeff relocated to the Panama City area in June 2021 after he accepted a position with a local contractor.  Tammy joined the Emerald Coast team in July.

Tammy has traveled on domestic and international mission trips to help distribute eyewear to the less fortunate, including Detroit, San Francisco, Guatemala, and Macedonia.  She has been a proud member of The Lions Club for 11 years.  She is an avid fan of The Tampa Bay Lightning, The Philadelphia Eagles, and The Bucs.  Tammy and her husband have ben members of the First Assemblies of God since 1994.  Tammy is compassionate about volunteering in any endeavor to help serve others.

Together Tammy and Jeff have 5 children and 15 grandchildren, which mostly still reside in PA.  She loves returning once a year to spend time with them and they visit FL frequently.

Ms. Colleen Gallagher (photo coming soon)

Colleen joined the Emerald Coast Eye Care team in November 2021.  She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and later moved to Willingboro, NJ.  She is a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served our country as a Medic/EMT.  Colleen has worked in the medical field  for 30+ years, and has worked in the optical field since 1997.  Her hobbies include Asian cooking and spending as much time as possible with her family.  She also enjoys keeping up with her favorite teams, The Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team.  She considers it a privilege to work with such wonderful staff members and a true joy to be helpful towards our patients and this community.

Mrs. Stella Baker

Stella joined Emerald Coast Eye Care in August 2022, bringing over 12 years of optical experience.  Stella is a native Missourian, but relocated to Florida with her husband, Steve, in 2004.  Stella enjoys spending time flower gardening and reading.

Ms. Cree Kincaid