1. The contest will start January 1st, 2012 at 12:00am and end January 18th, 2012 at 12:00pm.
2. No purchase is necessary. To enter upload a photo of you in your ugly frame to the PineCone Vision Center’s Facebook page with a short message on why you deserve the Designer Eyewear Makeover.
4. The winner will be notified the afternoon of January 18th, 2012 and will need to come into PineCone Vision Center on January 19th, 2012 between 1:00 and 7:00pm to claim their prize.
5. PineCone Vision Center reserves the right to dismiss any entries that do not comply with these rules and to use photos submitted in advertising materials pertaining to this contest.
7th Annual Trunk Show and Sale - Thursday, January 19th
Special Offer - $1,000.00 Off iLasik
How would your life be different without glasses or contacts? PineCone Vision Center's team of iLasik specialist would love to show you just how much your life can change with iLasik.
Call today and schedule your free iLasik consultation and receive
$1,000.00 off any bilateral procedure completed in 2011.
Remember, HSA and Flex spending dollars can be used towards refractive surgery procedures.
PineCone Vision Center at Kids and Parents Expo
PineCone Vision Center was proud to participate at the Kids and Parent's Expo on Saturday, October 22nd, 2011. This year participants were able to make fun Halloween masks and get information on maintining optimal visual performance. Thank you to all stop in and visited with us!
PineCone Vision Center attends the
American Academy of Optometry's Annual Convention
Drs. Colatrella and Hinkemeyer continued their commitment to education and the
profession of Optometry by presenting lectures and a scientific poster to colleagues at the
American Academy of Optometry's Annual Convention, October 12th-15th, 2011, in Boston, MA.
Order Fall and Winter Sports Eyewear Today
Are you a hunter? Do you enjoy skiing, tubing, and snowboarding?
PineCone Vision Center can help make these activities more enjoyable with custom shooting glasses and prescription winter sports goggles.
Come in and see one of our expert opticians to order yours today !
PineCone Vision Center at the Women's Showcase
PineCone Vision Center was excited to attend the Women's Showcase on Saturday, October 1st, 2011. This year participants were able to make to play Plinko for a chance to win fantastic prizes and get information on maintining optimal visual performance.
Thank you to all stop in and visited with us!
Dr. Colatrella to Participate in
SeptemBEARD
Ten years ago I lost my father to metastatic bone cancer that we presume had spread from his Prostate. This month, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer, I have personally decided to participate in a project called SeptemBEARD (www.septembeard.org) , Although “follicly challenged”, during the entire month of September, I will attempt to grow and maintain a beard along with millions of other men in the country, to help raise awareness to the second leading cause of cancer death in men. My hope is that by growing some hair on my face, even the small amount I am capable of producing, it will eventually help lead us to a victory over prostate cancer. To help us toward this goal, PineCone Vision Center will match, dollarfor dollar, any monetary donation that is made to our team. I thank you in advance for your support and appreciate your consideration in helping us eliminate this cancer. Feel free to join our team or donate at http://septembeard.org/team/93/.
Warmest Regards,
Dr. Nicholas Colatrella, OD, FAAO
PineCone Vision Center Sponsors
Sartell Chamber Golf Outing
PineCone Vision Center was proud to again be a hole sponsor the
Sartell Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing on Friday, September 9th, 2011.
Thank you to all who visited our hole and participated in Plinko Fun!
Doctors in Action - Volunteering with the
Minnesota Optometric Association
Each year the doctors of PineCone Vision Center volunteer countless hours to the Minnesota Optometric Association to help promote and advance Optometry in the State of Minnesota. Below you will see our doctors, along with optometrists from all over the state of Minnesota, volunteering this year at the Minnesota State Fair. Each year they provide no charge retinal screenings and answer questions for hundreds of fair participants.
Registration Opens for
PineCone Vision Center's 4th Annual
Patient Appreciation Movie Screening
Come out and enjoy your good vision on Saturday November 5th, 2011 with the PineCone Vision Center staff and the characters from Shrek as we wish Puss in Boots good luck during the premier of his epic adventure.
Not a patient? Not a problem. Call today to schedule a new exam and join the fun. Tickets are imited and usually go fast.
RSVP by email at pussinboots@pineconevisioncenter.com.
PineCone Vision Center is now an Optometry
Student Extern Training Site
PineCone Vision Center provides training and experience for fourth year optometric student. Many of our patients have already experienced our optometry externship program during their eye exams. Our doctors currently serve as adjunct professors for three colleges of optometry.
According to Dr. Nicholas Colatrella, "Having students in the clinic has added a new energy. It has provided new opportunities to share our knowledge as well as challenge ourselves. We have enjoyed the experience and so have our patients. We look forward to more students in the upcoming year."
Top L to R: Joel Quist, Janelle Strom. Bottom: Alicia Triplett
PineCone Vision Center sponsors
Sartell Chamber's Rock'n Block Party
PineCone Vision Center was proud to again be a platinum sponsor the Sartell Chamber of Commerce Rock'n Block Party on Saturday, August 20th, 2011. Thank you to all who visited our booth!
PineCone Vision Center Doctors and Staff
Earn Additional Certification
Dr. Nick Colatrella and Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer have recently been certified as "Specialists in Medical Optometry" by the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry. And also Congratulations to Jennifer Novak, Practice Administrator, and Jennifer Hoffenkamp, Optical Supervisor, for earning their nationally recognized, American Optometric Association Certified Paraoptometric honor.
L to R: Jennifer Novak, Dr. Colatrella, Dr. Hinkemeyer, Jennifer Hoffenkamp.
PineCone Vision Center hosts
7th Annual Back to School Event
In conjunction with Still Pointe Natural Health and Dentistry for Children, PineCone Vision Center hosted the 7th annual free back to school screening on Saturday August 13th, 2011. "Each year we detect children who could benefit from glasses or vision therapy, better oral health and better posture. This is just one of the great ways we like to give back to the community and all three of us are happy to offer these free services." states Dr. Colatrella of PineCone Vision Center.
PineCone Vision Center Participates in
360 Chiropractic's Healthy Kids Event
PineCone Vision Center Health Education Scholarships
Presented to Area Seniors
Congratulations to our 2011 PineCone Vision Center Health Education Scholarship recipients. Seniors from 3 local high schools were chosen to receive this award based on academic excellence, volunteerism, and a desire to pursue a degree in healthcare. Please join us in congratulating them and wishing them continued success in their futures!
Apollo: Jennifer Wirth
Sartell-St. Stephen: Rebecca Pareja
Sauk Rapids-Rice: Matthew Kessler
Above: Recipient from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, Matthew Kessler, with
PineCone Vision Center's Practice Administrator, Jennifer Novak.
3-D Measuring Technology at PineCone Vision Center Offers
Extreme Optical Accuracy for Clearer Vision
Denise Seehusen wears a target frame attached to her eyeglasses for the Visioffice System to use for measurements at the PineCone Vision Center in Sartell. / Jason Wachter, jwachter@stcloudtimes.com
SARTELL — PineCone Vision Center has seen the future of eyewear fitting — and the future is in 3-D.The eye care center on Troop Drive in Sartell is the first in Central Minnesota to use the Visioffice System, the first universal 3-D measuring system that allows for the most precise vision possible, according to its manufacturer, Essilor.
“It customizes or personalizes the lenses for people, using their prescription, the frame that they choose and the lens material,” said Jennifer Hoffenkamp, optical supervisor at PineCone Vision Center.
Resembling an upended box with a reflective surface that faces the patient, the equipment is operated via a 12-inch touch screen, “with all measurements taken using full-face images,” according to Essilor, a manufacturer of ophthalmic equipment and lenses.
“It’s just like having your picture taken, and all it takes is about five minutes by the time we adjust the frames, do the measurements,” Hoffenkamp said of the equipment and software, which costs about $12,000.
The precision optical measurement technology is 10 times more precise than standard tools; measurement features include optical eye rotation, natural head posture, stability ratio and head/eye coefficient, according to Essilor.
“Individualized prescriptions is really the goal that I go after, and it gives people better, more accurate vision,” said Dr. Nicholas Colatrella, one of the PineCone Vision Center doctors.
Essilor’s measuring system allows opticians to obtain every possible parameter required for modern lenses — with extreme accuracy, according to Visioffice System’s website.
“There’s some little clicks and buzzes as you go through it and flashes, and the patient ends up with a picture — can sample different frames with it, too, and see what they would look like in different frames,” Colatrella said.
The desktop station also takes photographs and video of patients to help them select their best frame style, and still images can be printed for the patient for comparison purposes.
“For some patients who have an extremely high prescription, when they take off their glasses, they can’t see what other glasses look like for them,” Colatrella said.
The Visioffice system allows side-by-side comparisons of how the different frames look on patients, Hoffenkamp said.
After the patient picks a frame they are thinking about buying, a staffer adjusts the frames to fit the patient, and a clip-on is attached to the frame, so the computer can take precise measurements as it relates to, say, depth.
“We’ll do a front shot and measure the distance between their eyes and then we’ll do a side profile, so that gets us pantoscopic tilt and wrap angle,” Hoffenkamp said of the process. It is usually covered by insurance.
She said the technology allows each patient, via real-time video, to see how they look in their eyewear before they decide whether to purchase the lens and the frames.
“One of the biggest challenges of fitting a progressive or no-line bifocal is that it has to be accurately centered right on the pupil,” Colatrella said.
Each person’s eyes rotate around a fixed point called the “eye rotation center,” and the Visioffice System measures the 3-D position of each eye’s unique ERC to create individualized lenses.
“The advantage of the Visioffice is that it uses the eye rotation center ... so you can get a more accurate fit for progressive lenses, so there’s less adaptation time and more clarity and less downtime getting used to the lenses,” Colatrella said.
After conducting a nationwide search, PineCone Vision Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Ragna Godtland to our practice and our community. Dr. Godtland is a residency trained optometrist that will be joining PineCone Vision Center in July 2011. Her main focus will be centered on performing vision therapy, direct patient care, and taking over for Dr Oakland when he moves back home to South Dakota to be closer to family.
Dr. Godtland received her Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and her Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. She then completed the country’s first dual residency in Pediatric/Binocular Vision and Low Vision Rehabilitation, where she gained additional training in the treatment and management of patients with strabismus (eye turns), amblyopia (lazy eyes), visual perceptual disorders, traumatic brain injuries and low vision. Her specific area of interest includes working with children with learning related vision problems and helping them advance through a targeted vision therapy program.
Dr. Godtland is a member of the Minnesota Optometric Association as well as the American Optometric Association. She is an active member with the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and has presented scientific posters at its annual meeting. She is also a member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, is an InfantSee Provider and a volunteer for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes program.
Dr. Godtland has worked extensively within the community including lecturing and volunteering at many events to help increase awareness for visual health. She has participated in screenings for the remote area medical unit in Memphis, and many back to school health fairs.
Dr. Godtland enjoys spending time with family and friends and is proficient in American Sign Language. She takes pride in patient and parent education and encourages you to ask about your eye care concerns.
We are excited to welcome Dr Godtland and she is now accepting new patients.
LOCAL EYECARE PROFESSIONAL SELECTED
FOR NATIONAL PANEL
Transitions Optical Appoints Dr. Colatrella to New Pro Forum
SARTELL, Minn., April, 2011 – A local eyecare professional has been recognized as part of a national effort to shape future optical products, programs and education. Dr. Nicolas Colatrella was selected by Transitions Optical, Inc., the leading provider ofdynamic eyewear solutions that adapt in changing light, for its new Transitions Pro Forum. The purpose of the program is to bring together leaders in the vision care field in order to gather industry insights and test cutting-edge technologies and programs. The forum is made up of 150 speakers, educators, association members, consultants, business owners and eyecare professional managers throughout the United States.
“We are fortunate to have access to such talented and influential opinion eaders,” said Rick Elias, CEO and president, Transitions Optical. “Their experience will go a long way toward helping us bring the best in vision care and eyewear to industry professionals and their patients.”
Transitions® lenses are the number-one recommended photochromic lenses worldwide and conveniently and automatically block 100 percent of harmful ultraviolet rays.
Dr. Colatrella is owner and medical director of PineCone Vision Center (www.pineconevisioncenter.com), located in Sartell. An honors graduate from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Dr. Colatrella completed a hospital residency in ocular disease. He now presents to professionals and peers as a nationally recognized lecturer and published author on the topics of LASIK surgery, cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye and corneal diseases. Dr. Colatrella has been granted numerous awards for his contributions to the field of optometry, receiving recognition as the “Young Optometrist of the Year” in 2003 and 2006, and being selected as one of the “Best and Brightest Forty under 40” in the eye care field by Vision Monday magazine in 2004.
Dr. Colatrella can be reached for interview on this and other vision-related topics at (320) 258-3915.
About Transitions Optical
As the leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers, Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, Fla., offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs and materials. Transitions Optical is driven by innovation to support the advancement of healthy sight and adaptive eyewear, and to providing its partners the tools and programs their businesses need to thrive. Transitions® lenses are the #1-recommended photochromic lenses worldwide.
Transitions Optical’s family of products includes everyday lenses, designed to be orn indoors and darken outdoors, and performance lenses, designed to be worn outdoors in place of sun lenses. Transitions everyday lenses adapt to light to provide more comfortable vision while protecting eyes from UV. Transitions performance lenses include the company’s sunwear line, Transitions® SOLFX™ sun lenses, which enhance visual performance in specific outdoor activities by adapting to optimize color and darkness in changing light conditions.
For more information, visit Transitions.com or TransitionsSOLFX.com, or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).
PineCone Vision Center's 7th Annual Trunk Show and Sale
Pics from this year's Trunk Show:
PineCone Vision Center is pleased to host its 7th Annual Frame Trunk Show and Sale. “This is a one time a year opportunity to sample all the newest eyewear styles,” states Jennifer Hoffenkamp, Optical Supervisor. “We’ll have over 1,000 new frames on display, including Nicole Miller, Bebe and Laura Ashley. In addition, we’ll have refreshments, door prizes and showcase new lines and lines exclusive to PineCone Vision Center. There will be tremendous savings on all products and up to 50% off on selected products. The doors will open to the general public from 3-7pm and our existing patients can enjoy a sneak preview from 1-3pm. We look forward to seeing you there.
"iLasik After Hours"
I often get asked what makes our Lasik procedure so unique and why is it so different. The answer is simple. PineCone Vision Center’s iLASIK procedure combines two lasers making it the most trusted Lasik procedure to date. “I was fortunate to be part of the FDA trials for Lasik during the late 1990’s” states Dr. Colatrella. “At that time a bladed microkeratome was all we had to create a flap, and it worked great. But 15 years later, creating a flap with a blade puts patients needlessly at risk, and is almost unheard of these days. That’s why we exclusively use the iLasik technique. Instead of a blade, it combines an ultra-fast laser to create a thin corneal flap, which then allows our wavefront guided laser to correct each patient’s vision based on their exact measurements.”
“We converted over to the iLasik procedure in 2008 and haven’t looked back. It has given us better results, better acuities and better patient satisfaction. Patients achieve a quick, safe, virtually painless procedure with immediate results and are able to experience our unique personalized service. It is the only procedure I recommend for my patients, my friends and my family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
For more information feel free to attend our “iLasik After Hours” at Westside Liquor Learning Center in Sartell on Thursday, April 14 from 5:00-6:00pm. Enjoy free refreshments, light hors d'oeuvres, a lively discussion, and find out if you are an iLasik candidate. RSVP to info@pineconevisioncenter.com.
Sartell Community Showcase
Co-Sponsored by the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce and Sartell St-Stephen Community Education
Saturday, February 26, 2011
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sartell Middle School
This family-focused event is designed to introduce community members to
Sartell area businesses. There will be booths, kids’ activities, entertainment and
a breakfast hosted by the LeSauk Lions Club.
All area businesses and organizations are invited to participate and take this
opportunity to:
* Inform the community about your business/organization.
* Network with other businesses/organizations
(we had more than 50 vendors participate last year)
* Increase recognition and sales or membership
* Attract new customers or members
* Generate new contacts
* Demo your product or service
Thank You to Platinum Sponsor:
PineCone Vision Center
Gold Sponsor: Dentistry For Children
State Farm Insurance-Kristen Stebbins Agency
& Midsota Plastic Surgeons
2010 PineCone Vision Center Health Education Scholarships Awarded
PineCone Vision Center is honored to announce the names of their 2010 Health Education Scholarship recipients. These recipients were selected by PineCone Vision Center staff based on academic excellence, a commitment to the community through volunteerism, and a desire to pursue an education in healthcare. Congratulations to all recipients!
Apollo: Amber Sellon
Sauk Rapids-Rice: Joseph Dirks (Pictured)
Sartell: Madison Skudlarek
Healthy Vision Month to
Focus on Eye Exams
Join the National Eye Institute (NEI) this May during Healthy Vision Month to raise awareness about the importance of dilated eye exams. Millions of people in the United States have undetected vision problems and eye conditions. We need your help encouraging people in our community to schedule eye exams. Through a comprehensive dilated eye exam, PineCone Vision Center can detect common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have no early warning signs.
Healthy Vision Month is designed to elevate vision as a health priority for the Nation. Millions of people living in the United States have undetected vision problems, eye diseases, and conditions. Please join us in educating people in your community about the importance of comprehensive dilated eye exams in maintaining eye health and preserving sight.
What is a comprehensive dilated
eye exam?
A comprehensive dilated eye exam is a painless procedure in which an eye care professional examines your eyes to look for common vision problems and eye diseases, many of which have no early warning signs. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help you protect your sight and make sure that you are seeing your best.
What does a comprehensive dilated eye exam include?
A comprehensive eye examination includes:
Dilation: Drops are placed in your eyes to dilate, or widen, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina to look for signs of damage and other eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration. A dilated eye exam also allows your doctor to check for damage to the optic nerve that occurs when a person has glaucoma. After the examination, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours.
Tonometry: This test helps to detect glaucoma by measuring eye pressure. Your eye care professional may direct a quick puff of air onto the eye, or gently apply a pressure-sensitive tip near or against the eye. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye for this test. Elevated pressure is a possible sign of glaucoma.
Visual field test: This test measures your side (peripheral) vision. It helps your eye care professional find out if you have lost side vision, a sign of glaucoma.
Visual acuity test: This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.
Young professional:
Optometrist sees opportunity, jumps for it Compiled by St Cloud Times staff writer Emily Hawkins. •
April 4, 2010
Name: Jeff Oakland.
Company: PineCone Vision Center.
Work location: 2380 Troop Drive, Suite 201, Sartell.
Job/what you do: I’m an optometrist with residency training and emphasis in pediatrics/vision therapy. Much of the visual system goes beyond 20/20. I specifically work with children and adults who have binocular vision disorders. Many patients with decreased abilities in these areas are suffering from what many of us in pediatric optometry describe as learning-related vision disorders. Oftentimes, these patients may see 20/20 on the chart and up close, but have a number of symptoms that directly impact their ability to learn in the classroom.
Date of birth/birthplace: Feb. 22, 1980, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Family: Wife, Heather.
Education: Bachelor of arts in biology, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, and doctor of optometry, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago.
Dream job: An original film score or soundtrack composer for movies/films.
Mentor(s): Dr. Gary Earl, chemistry professor at Augustana College, and Dr. Valerie Kattouf, ssociate professor of pediatrics/binocular vision at the Illinois College of Optometry.
How did you land the job?: I actively pursued a progressive, forward-thinking practice that would add someone with my skills and training. I applied, interviewed, and knew I found (what I was looking for). I often joke with my fellow colleagues at work that I applied online to the position no more than one hour after they had posted the opening on the Minnesota Optometric Association page. I definitely jumped at the opportunity.
Leisure activities: Spending time with my wife, Heather, running, listening to music, traveling, and watching college basketball and football.
How do you network?: I’ve attended Friday morning Chamber Connection, Sartell Chamber lunches, Sauk Rapids Chamber lunches, and joined the St. Cloud Chamber Leadership Program. How did you choose your career path?: From a young age, I knew I wanted to be in health care and in a profession where I could truly make a difference for people. I actually somewhat stumbled into optometry, as I applied late in my senior year of college. It’s been wonderful, and optometry is much more diverse and comprehensive than I ever could have imagined when I first applied.
What are your guiding principles?: To be fair, honest and genuine to those around me and with myself. Also, to show compassion and consideration for others.
How do you meet other young professionals in the area?: I had the opportunity to meet people at the annual Holly Ball and through the St. Cloud Leadership Program. You’ve really just got to go out there and do it. People are not always going to come out and find you. Being proactive is critical.
Advice for other young professionals: You get out what you put in. Going into situations with the glass-half-full attitude can truly make a world of difference. As Laird Hamilton said, “Everything comes down to attitude: you determine what yours is, and the external world will reflect it back.”
Next step in career: Continued growth within PineCone Vision Center and enhancing our Vision Therapy Center.
Technology guilty pleasure?: I love to spend time browsing for new music on iTunes.
PineCone Vision Center's 6th Annual Trunk Show and Sale
PineCone Vision Center is excited to announce our 6th Annual Frame Trunk Show and Sale on Thursday, January 21st from 3-7pm. "We are really excited to have two vendors this year showcasing their frames. We will have the exclusive Klik, and Fysh frames similar to last year as well as a large assortment of designer sunglass frames available," states Erin Kosloski, Optical Supervisor.
Food and beverages will be catered by Jimmy John's Subs. Prize drawings will take place throughout the evening while KCML Lite 99.9 broadcast lives from our office. We hope you will join us for great deals and an evening of fun!
PineCone Vision Center Donates Time
For Area School Screenings
PineCone Vision Center’s doctors and staff recently closed down their office to help perform the vision screenings at Oak Ridge Elementary, Pine Meadow Elementary, St Francis Xavier School, Sartell Middle School, Rice Elementary, Mississippi Heights Elementary, Pleasant View Elementary, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Petra Lutheran School, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School.
“This is a great community service to be a part of,” states Dr. Colatrella. “The schools have always done a great job screening our children, we were just glad we could offer our expertise to help add to their screening. School agers are at a critical age for development and having the proper visual foundation is vital to their success. During the month of November we helped screen over 2000 school aged children and were happy to be of service."
Vision plays an integral role in a child’s ability to excel in the classroom. It is estimated 80% of what we learn in our first twelve years come through our visual system, and up to 25% of students in grades K-6 have visual problems serious enough to impede learning.
Regardless of how your child did on the school screening, the American Optometric Association and PineCone Vision Center recommend yearly evaluations during the school years.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to screen your children. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 320-258-3915 or info@pineconevisioncenter.com .
Warmest Regards,
The Doctors and Staff at PineCone Vision Center
PineCone Vision Center's 2009 Annual
Season of Giving Campaign
This holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's, PineCone Vision Center's doctors and staff have agreed to generously donate 30 minutes of their time to select charities for each frame purchase made in our optical, on behalf of our patients.
"This is truly an exciting opportunity to be able to involve our patient's in our community outreach efforts. We made a decision as an office to donate our time to those in need rather than simply giving a monetary donation this year and couldn't be more excited. We hope our patient's and the community will help us achieve our goal of 100 volunteer hours!" states Jennifer Novak, Practice Administrator.
It works by having PineCone Vision Center staff members and doctors contribute 30 minutes of volunteer time to one of the 3 partnered organizations (as chosen by the patient) for every optical purchase made throughout the Season of Giving (November 26th through January 1st 2010). PineCone Vision Center is proud to be partnering with The Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota, The United Way of Central Minnesota and Catholic Charities. This year's goal is to get out to each of the charities for a total of 100 volunteer hours.
PineCone Vision Center's 5th Anniversary Celebration and Sunglass Sale
June 8, 2004 to June 8, 2009. Wow, I can’t believe how fast 5 years has gone by. As we celebrate our fifth anniversary I am amazed at all the friends we have made and all the triumphs and tribulations we have endured. I often run into colleagues and friends who are considering opening an office cold such as we did here at PineCone Vision Center, and they ask me “do you recommend it and would you do it again?”. I typically laugh and proceed to tell them that it takes time, hard work, an unwavering dedication to your cause, and a passion for serving your patients and advancing your profession. And, if they are lucky, they will be as fortunate as us to locate themselves in a community where the residents and businesses are accepting, supportive, and generally happy to have them there. During our first five years we have tried to stay on the forefront of technology by bringing in topographical corneal mapping, retinal photography, specialty contact lenses, and advanced glaucoma management. We were privileged to be recognized as a Dry Eye Treatment Center and happily provide the only all laser Lasik in the St Cloud area. We hired our first associate, Dr Oakland, with a background in vision therapy; while trying to give back to the community as much as we could and make great friends. But we are never content and continue to feel that we could give back more. Therefore, starting this next school year, we are going to help perform the school screenings for our local districts, we are donating our services to Vision USA and the Minnesota Vision Project, where we provide free eye examinations to the needy and we will double our efforts toward Infant See, which provides a no cost eye examination for infants age 6-12 months of age. I close by telling them that creating a practice that you are proud of, such as we did, and living and working in a community that you are excited to call home, like Sartell, is a very rewarding and humbling experience and I would highly recommend.
So, to all our friends, family, patients and acquaintances, please accept our very sincere “THANK YOU” for allowing us to serve you these past five years. It has truly been our pleasure.
Happy 5th Birthday PineCone Vision Center. We look forward to the next five.
Tuesday, August 4th Cook-Out and Dr. Oakland Meet and Greet
Help us welcome Dr. Oakland to the practice and community! While here enjoy an old fashioned grill out with hotdogs and a drink with the PineCone Vision Center staff! Also browse the latest trend in sunglasses.
Tuesay, August 11th LASIK Luau
Join us for a luau! Check out our selection of polarized sunglasses allowing you crisp vision even in the sunshine! We will also be doing FREE WaveScan's throughout the evening. The doctor's will also be available to discuss the possible benefits and risks of the most advanced
LASIK procedure available.
Tuesday, August 18th Dry Eye Dance Party and Latisse Lemonade Social
Dance Dance Revolution and Lemonade! Could anything be better? Yes! Dry eye discussions as well as an introduction of the new prescription medication, Latisse! We will also have a "mini trunk show" available with sunglass styles that are usually not available at the office.
Tuesday, August 25th Children's Vision Development Carnival
Kids need protection from the sun just like their parents. Come in this evening and check out the kids sunglass selections while Dr. Oakland discusses the benefits of children's yearly vision screenings. Also there will be several carnival games available for the children so parents have time to ask questions and discuss concerns.
PineCone Vision Center Humbly Accepts the
Sartell Chamber of Commerce
2009 Business of the Year Award
It is with great humility that PineCone Vision Center accepted the Sartell Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” award on April 30, 2009. “This is a huge honor, and we are extremely grateful and feel blessed to be where we are today”, states Dr Colatrella. “I would really like to thank the Sartell Chamber for recognizing us and emphatically thank our patients, and our family and friends; for without their support and guidance, none of this would have been possible.” As PineCone Vision Center celebrates our fifth anniversary, we continue to be as excited as ever about our practice and will continue to be an integral part of our community.
The nominees were judged on several criteria, including business growth and expansion, business accomplishments and community involvement. The award was presented at the Sartell Chamber's Annual Banquet at Blackberry Ridge. For more information, please check out the articles written by the St. Cloud Times, and the Sartell Newsleader.
PineCone Vision named Business of Year
by Dennis Dalman Sartell Newsleader Thursday, May 7, 2009 12:52 PM EDT
Dr. Nicholas Colatrella prepares a young patient for LASIK surgery in his office at PineCone Vision Center. Colatrella and his wife, Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer, own the business, which was honored by the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce as “Business of the Year.”
In just five years, PineCone Vision Center of Sartell has kept a steady focus on the needs of the community because it's the community that made the center such a success, its owners have often noted.
In a surprise announcement, the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce named PineCone Vision Center the “Sartell Business of the Year” for 2009. The award was presented to the business by Mayor Tim O'Driscoll during the Chamber's annual recognition banquet April 30 at the Blackberry Ridge Golf Course.
“I was so stunned at the banquet I really didn't get a chance to thank everyone I wanted to,” Dr. Nicholas Colatrella told the Newsleader later. “Therefore, I would really like to thank the Sartell Chamber for recognizing us and enormously thank our patients and our family and friends, for without their support and guidance none of this would have been possible.”
Myron and Connie Umerski, who love volunteer work, were honored as Sartell Citizens of the Year. For a story about the Umerskis and their life together, see the feature story in the April 24 Sartell Newsleader.
Nearly speechless from the surprise, PineCone Vision Center owners Dr. Nicholas Colatrella and his wife, Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer, accepted the award with heartfelt thanks on behalf of themselves and their staff. Their office manager, Jennifer Novak, who was also at the banquet, was stunned by the announcement.
“It's a terrific honor,” she said later, during an interview with the Sartell Newsleader. “Since we opened five years ago, we've become such a part of this community, and that's why it's such an honor to receive this award.”
Novak said the entire staff of 14 employees was elated by the news. The honor plaque is now proudly displayed at the reception desk of the business, which is located at 2380 Troop Drive.
The Chamber honored PineCone Vision Center not just for its financial success but because it is dedicated to education and volunteerism throughout the Sartell community, as well as elsewhere.
The center was also praised for its innovative approach to optometrics. Its staff and doctors go to great lengths to make their patients feel welcome, and all examinations are conducted as educational collaborations between doctors, staff and their patients.
Another reason for the center's success is its staff's constant efforts to evaluate and re-evaluate its services. They have formed, for example, a Patient Advisory Board comprised of key patients. That group meets with staff from time to time to share their ideas of what's good and what could use improvement.
At one time, elsewhere, Colatrella said he and Hinkemeyer worked in clinics where they saw a veritable parade of people all day long. When they opened their business in Sartell, he said they were determined to somewhat limit the number of patients so they could develop more intense one-to-one relationships.
Colatrella was born in Bloomfield, N.J., and in his youth he said he considered pursuing all kinds of options in the medical field, but he settled on eye care because he figured it would be a great way to improve the quality of life for people without having to deal with the more traumatic life-and-death issues.
Born in Clearwater, Hinkemeyer knew from “day one” she wanted to be an optometrist. It just might be a “genetic trait,” Colatrella said, since Stacy's father is in the optical business and is now vice president of Precision Optics in Sartell.
The couple met while they were both studying at optometry college in Chicago. They have two children - Alice, 6; and Tony, 3.
Many years ago, Colatrella said, both Hinkemeyer and he understood the vital importance of community work, ongoing education and volunteerism as those three aspects relate to eye care. There is a constant need to keep on top of things, and PineCone Vision Center is also constantly seeking ways to keep up with community needs.
In the past year or so, its staff noticed an increasing need for pediatric optometric services and so Dr. Jeffrey Oakland was hired, a pediatric specialist who is a leading expert on vision therapy for children, as well as adults.
Another new service is for people whose eyelashes are sparse to non-existent. The center can now prescribe the FDA-approved Latisse, a solution that encourages eye-lash growth.
Started on Nov. 14, 2003, PineCone Vision Center has grown phenomenally, especially during the past two years. The center exceeded $1 million in sales in 2007. In 2008, the center's business grew by 28 percent compared to the year before, despite a sagging economy.
Volunteerism and community connectedness are vital to the center's success. Colatrella, for instance, helps organize the annual Chamber Showcase, the Chamber golf outing and the Rock ‘n' Block party.
The following are just some of the community projects the center does or has done. In 2008, it donated a portion of every eye-ware sale to the LeSauk Lions Club's Eye Bank program, and every year it donates eye ware to that club's Recycle For Sight efforts. The center sponsors and conducts several “back-to-school” screenings each year, a total of about 3,100 students in Sartell and nearby cities. The center has joined with the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education program as sponsors of youth teams to volunteer as lecturers for interview-skill sessions. That way, young people can develop interview techniques that can help them land jobs.
The staff volunteers time for the Minnesota Health Education Service and for health fairs and area employers.
The center's staff visits with residents of Country Manor and Good Shepherd (in Sauk Rapids) to clean and adjust residents' eye ware.
Colatrella and Hinkemeyer are active in the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce and help promote and volunteer time for the annual Sartell SummerFest, the annual Apple Duathlon, Graduation Night and the United for Success scholarship program.
They are also active in the Sartell Rotary club.
Colatrella and Hinkemeyer are both graduates of the Illinois College of Optometry (Chicago). They both did hospital internships following their studies. Both are nationally recognized as published authors and lecturers on such topics as LASIK surgery, cataracts, glaucoma, dry-eye syndrome, neuro-eye diseases, children's vision, retinal problems and corneal diseases.
The four doctors at the center, besides Colatrella and Hinkemeyer, are Jeffrey Oakland and Larry Womack.
The staff members are Kelly Freeman, optician; Amber Gargus, optical supervisor; Gail Grundman, optician; Anita Heitzman, optometric technician; Samantha Hemmesch, front-desk associate; Chrissy Henry, billing coordinator; Erin Kosloski, assistant optical supervisor; April March, outreach coordinator; Desiree Mark, optometric technician; Jennifer Novak, office manager; and Mary Robertson, optometric technician.
View: PineCone Vision Center truly deserves big honor
Thursday, May 7, 2009 1:00 PM EDT
The PineCone Vision Center truly deserves its recent honor as the “Sartell Business of the Year,” an annual honor bestowed by the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce.
There are so many reasons why the Center should be congratulated.
First of all, its owners and staff place the patient and patient needs first-and-foremost in their considerations. That kind of regard for patients is instantly apparent to anyone who has ever entered the front door of the business on Troop Drive.
The Newsleader staff is aware of many patients who have visited the Center and who were amazed by the thorough one-to-one care they received not just from the doctors but from the entire staff. Some of these people had pretty much “given up” on their vision problems. When the PineCone Vision Center doctors carefully analyzed and diagnosed those problems, the patients - able to see more clearly again - walked away on Cloud Nine.
One of those patients was an older man who suffered from sore eyes for years. At the Center he learned about something he'd never heard of - dry-eye syndrome. Now, his eyes are just fine, thanks to the eye-drops he takes twice a day. PineCone Vision Center has experienced impressive growth in the five years since it first opened under the leadership of Dr. Nicholas Colatrella and his wife, Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer. Their growth was all the more remarkable because it occurred during the widespread economic slump of the last couple of years.
The Center's success can be traced directly to its connectiveness with the larger community. The doctors and staff are constantly volunteering, educating the community and doing good deeds (not all of them vision-related). Their emphasis on the importance of children's vision is especially admirable.
Its Patient Advisory Committee is another big plus because patients regularly inform the Center's staff of what it does well and what it could do better.
The Center also goes to great lengths to remain up-to-date with state-of-the-art optometry expertise.
In other words, PineCone Vision Center does everything a truly great business should do. It places the customer, the patient, at the very center of its focus.
SARTELL, by Jane Lasky St Cloud Times — The Sartell Chamber of Commerce has named PineCone Vision Center its 2009 Business of the Year.
PineCone Vision Center is owned by Dr. Nicholas Colatrella and Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer of Sartell. It is at 2380 Troop Drive in Sartell. It opened in 2003 and offers comprehensive eye care services.
The Business of the Year award is given to a member of the Sartell Chamber with a growing business and a strong commitment to the community.
In 2007, Pinecone Vision generated $1 million in sales, a 40 percent increase over the previous year. In 2008 it grew an additional 27 percent, despite the poor economy. Between 2007 and 2009, it added three employees.
It currently has 13 full-time employees and one part-time employee. Colatrella recently upgraded to a new iLasik procedure and created a patient advisory board. He also added an optometrist specializing in pediatric optometry, Dr. Jeffrey Oakland.
Pinecone Vision has been active in the Sartell community, donating a portion of eyewear sales to the Le Sauk Lions, conducting school vision screenings and sponsoring children’s teams through Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education. It also sponsored a variety of community events including Sartell SummerFest, the Apple Duathlon, Sartell/St. Stephen Graduation Night and United for Success scholarships at area high schools.
PineCone Vision Center also makes monthly visits to residents at Country Manor and the Good Shepherd Communities to clean and adjust their eyewear.
Colatrella also was honored for his efforts in the Sartell Chamber, where he serves on the board.
He also has helped organize a variety of Chamber events including the Chamber Community Showcase, the Rock ‘n Block Party and the Sartell Chamber Golf Outing.
FDA Approved Prescription, LATISSE Enhances Eyelashes
Pinecone vision center is pleased to offer LATISSE, the first and only FDA-approved treatment for people with inadequate or not enough eyelashes. Latisse solution is a prescription treatment used once nightly with a special applicator to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker. Only Latisse has been approved by the FDA as a prescription treatment used to grow eyelashes. It has also been studied in a clinical trial to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness. The onset of effect with Latisse solution is gradual. In the clinical trial, the majority of patients saw significant improvement by 2 months.
The FDA has approved a new medication which is proven to increase eyelash growth, including length, thickness and darkness. Latisse works because of the active ingredient bimatoprost 0.03% which is proven to affect the growth phase of the eyelash hair cycle in 2 ways: first it increases the length of this phase; and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase. Latisse is the only FDA approved prescription for the use of growing fuller, longer eyelashes.
The Latisse applicator allows the prescription to be easily applied to the lashes:
Before Latisse
After Latisse
Latisse is available by prescription only, so call today to set up an appointment to see if you are a candidate for the new prescription, Latisse.
PineCone Vision Center at the Sartell Community Showcase
St. Cloud Times-Sartell— The new snow did not faze Sartell residents, who turned out in record numbers at the Sartell Community Showcase. The annual Chamber event drew more than 1,200 people Saturday. “The parking lot is full and they’re parking on the city streets. It’s been great,” Mayor Tim O’Driscoll said.
Crowds packed Sartell Middle School, sitting down for pancakes in the commons then touring booths from more than 40 local businesses in the gym. At the WACOSA DocuShred booth, Roxanne Ryan kept busy dispensing candy, notepads and carry-all bags. “It’s a great turnout and we’re getting the word out about WACOSA and our paper shredding,” she said.
Community Education staff painted faces, led carnival games and called out bingo numbers while youngsters carefully threaded bead necklaces at craft tables.
Four generations of the Pierskalla family of Sartell spent the day at the showcase.
“We came to watch our great-grandchildren,” Bev Pierskalla said. “They’ve played musical chairs and bingo — we tried everything. It’s been very nice.”
An open swim in the school pool drew dozens of families.
Sports demonstrations filled the South Gym bleachers, while children lined up for a turn in an inflatable bouncer.
“The Community Ed demonstrations have drawn a lot of people,” Dr. Nick Colatrella said. “It keeps the kids entertained and active.”
Colatrella is the owner of PineCone Vision Center and a Sartell Chamber Board member. He noticed a lot of familiar faces in the crowd.
“We seem to have a lot of repeat customers,” Colatrella said. When Katie Gefre’s husband opted to go fishing, she decided to bring her daughters, Adrienne and Morgan, to the showcase. “It’s fun to see all of our friends from school and preschool and to learn about all the businesses we don’t know about in our community,” Katie Gefre said. Many took advantage of one of the event’s newest features: free chiropractic, dental and vision screenings.
At Dr. Dennis Carreras’ Dentistry for Children booth, families lined up for a quick dental screening and bags filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste and sugar-free suckers.
Representatives from Sartell City Hall and the Sartell Police Department chatted with residents. For Bonestroo’s Brian Davies, the showcase provided an opportunity to educate residents about upcoming road projects and roundabouts. “We’re just trying to get the word out,” Davies said. “It’s coming. The first roundabouts will be built this summer.”
Ron Scarbro manned the Sartell Senior Connection booth near the showcase entrance.
“We’re trying to encourage people who haven’t heard of us to look us up,” Scarbro said.
When the crowds started to wind down and vendors began to pack up their booths, organizers called their fourth annual showcase a success. Despite the recession, turnout continues to grow and families left with smiles on their faces.“Our whole thing is bridging business and community and this event really touches on that goal,” Colatrella said.
The Sartell Community Showcase was sponsored by PineCone Vision Center, CentraCare Clinic, Dentistry for Children, Synergy Chiropractic, Times Media, Leighton Broadcasting and Agency 128.
PineCone Vision Center's Patient Appreciation Night
PineCone Vision Center hosted its second annual Patient Appreciation movie night for the opening night premiere of Monsters vs Aliens on Friday, March 27th.
Thank you all who attended, it was a lot of fun.
PineCone Vision Center donates to LeSauk Lions Club
In the month of December PineCone Vision Center donated $730 to the LeSauk Lions Club Eye Bank. The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank donation will go to the research and education of corneal transplants that are needed because of disease or injury.
If you were not able to help PineCone Vision Center donate this year through the purchase of a complete pair of glasses remember that PineCone Vision Center is a drop-off sight for the Lions Recycle for Sight donations. Recycle for Sight provides donated glasses to those who can afford the corrective eyewear they need to maintain healthy vision!
Dr. Nicholas Colatrella presented the check to Dr. Jeff Sailer on behalf of PineCone Vision Center's donation to the LeSauk Lions Club
Digital Retinal Photography Added to Diagnostic Armament
PineCone Vision Center is pleased to be performing Digital Retinal Photography on all our patients. Our Digital Retinal Imaging system is a very unique instrument which allows us to take a digital photo of the inside of your eye(s). When performed, patients will notice a flash of light allowing us to capture the digital images with no pain to the patient, and never having to touch your eye(s). “These pictures enable our doctors to monitor and compare your internal eye health on a year to year basis,” states Dr. Colatrella. “We made a conscious decision to add this value to our already comprehensive eye examination without an added cost and feel it is vital for the assessment of our patient’s ocular health.”
The digital image of your eye and retina become an excellent reference point from which our doctors can make future comparisons, assisting in the early detection of problems such as diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration and many other retinal diseases. PineCone Vision Center has invested in these sophisticated computers to give you the finest eye health care possible and we are delighted to offer them to our patients.
Digital Photo of a Normal Retina Digital Photo of Diabetic Retinopathy
Thank you for attending our 4th Annual Back to School Screening held at PineCone Vision Center on September 20th, 2008!
Together with StillPointe Natural Health, and Dentistry for Children we were able to screen many children for vision, oral health, and chiropractic care!
Join us again next year Saturday, August 22nd, 2009!
Show and Sale on Thursday, January 21st from 3-7pm. "We are really excited to have two vendors this year showcasing their frames. We will have the exclusive Klik, and Fysh frames similar to last year as well as a large assortment of designer sunglass frames available," states Erin Kosloski, Optical Supervisor. 
Cone Vision Center celebrates our fifth anniversary, we continue to be as excited as ever about our practice and will continue to be an integral part of our community. 
In the month of December PineCone Vision Center donated $730 to the LeSauk Lions Club Eye Bank. The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank donation will go to the research and education of corneal transplants that are needed because of disease or injury.
