I attended public school in Fayetteville, NC, graduating from Pine Forest Senior High as valedictorian. Shortly thereafter, I served for two years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. Everything that I had been raised to believe in and do such as loving and serving others became an integral part of who I am. Some of my experiences there influenced my decision to become an Optometrist as I recognized that as an Optometrist I could serve others, provide for my family, and still have time to be with my family and serve in my Church. I returned home and soon finished my studies at Brigham Young University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in Zoology. Immediately after graduation I began Optometry School at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. While there I became the President of Students in Optometric Service to Humanity, and I helped organize and lead various mission trips to Central America to provide eye exams and glasses to those in need. My final year of training included a six month externship at Duke University Eye Center, where I worked alongside the very best ophthalmologists in the nation and was trained as the Duke ophthalmology residents were trained. At graduation I was awarded the Deans Award of Excellence for the class of 2002 and graduated Cum Laude.
My wife, Ollie, and I felt that we found the perfect little place in the mountains to raise our family when we moved to Carroll County, and our love for this area and the people here has just grown stronger and stronger over the years. We now have six children who have been described as "free range children" as they love to be outdoors and enjoy all this beautiful countryside has to offer. My wife and I enjoy serving in the Church as part of its completely lay ministry, and find great satisfaction in serving others in this capacity. We enjoy sports and the outdoors. We hope to be able to start mission trips within the next several years to Central and South America similar to what we participated in while in school.
Dr. Justin M. Rowe, OD
I was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah until the age of fifteen. My family then moved to Tokyo, Japan where I attended high school at The American School In Japan. I lived there for five years before returning to America to attend college at Brigham Young University. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Zoology, and was accepted into Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. I have worked in a variety of clinics including the U.S. Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Since I was young, I have wanted to work in the medical field and to help others improve their quality of life. During my optometric training I developed a particular interest in the treatment of glaucoma, the management of diabetic eye disease, co-managing lasik and cataract treatment, and emergency eye care. I also enjoy working with children of all ages, and was fortunate enough to study under two of the nation's leading pediatric behavioral optometrists. My wife and I are the parents of five children with a sixth child due later this year. We enjoy camping, hiking and spending time together. I am an avid runner and enjoy mountain climbing.
We are truly excited to be in Wytheville, and hope to sink our roots here. I am very eager to become better acquainted with and to serve the good people of this community.
