Dr. Dana L. Day
Dr. Day is an Optometrist in Casper and Douglas providing complete eye care services for the surrounding communities. Dr. Day began his career as a resident with The Eye Institute of Utah shortly after receiving his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in 1998. After completing a one year residency in ocular disease, he was hired as the clinic director of the Casper, Wyoming office for The Eye Institute of Utah. In 2004, Dr. Day founded The Eye Institute of Wyoming, P.C. and established a second office in Douglas, Wyoming.
As a licensed optometrist, Dr. Day provides exams, diagnoses, and treatments of all disorders that affect the eye or vision. In addition to training in eye diseases and disorders, Dr. Day is also trained in anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, biochemistry, and physiology. With this background, Dr. Day is trained to recognize a range of health issues; such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, and dry eye.
Dr. Day works hard to stay current on the latest advances in eye health and vision care and regularly attends continuing education seminars and advanced training courses. It is because of Dr. Day’s dedication to continuing education that our patients receive the most modern and progressive vision care available. Dr. Day is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the American Optometric Association, and Past-President of the Wyoming Optometric Association.
Dr. Day is actively engaged in the community and has served on various boards including the Chamber of Commerce and the Boy Scouts of America. He has received various scouting awards including the Eagle Scout Award, the Scoutmaster Award of Merit, the District Award of Merit, and the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. He is active in his church and currently holds a leadership position there. He is also serving as the Wyoming Optometric Legislative Chair, and as a committee member on the American Optometric Association’s Education Center Committee. He was the recipient of the Wyoming Optometric Optometrist of the Year award in 2020 and the esteemed American Optometric Association’s Presidential Award in 2021. Most recently, he received the James A. Boucher Distinguished Service Award from the Wyoming Optometric Association in 2022.
Dr. Day and his wife, Nikki are the proud parents of four children, grandparents of four grandchildren, and are happy to call Wyoming home. They do enjoy an occasional trip to somewhere tropical and warm in the winter time. Extra curricular activities include golfing, recreational league softball and volleyball, water-skiing/wakeboarding, woodworking, and home improvement projects.
Nikki Day
CPOC., Business Manager
With over 20 years of experience in the eye care industry, Nikki is exceptionally qualified and skilled as our business manager. She has been with The Eye Institute of Wyoming since the start and is the person we all turn to for advice and direction. Nikki strives to ensure that your experience at The Eye Institute of Wyoming, P.C. is as pleasant as possible. She is certified in billing and coding by the American Optometric Association, and she works vigorously to ensure that your exam is processed accurately to help you maximize your insurance benefits. We are fortunate to have her expertise and attribute much of our success to her professionalism. When not keeping The Eye Institute of Wyoming, P.C. “on the right track”, she is busy being “Mimi” to her 4 grandchildren. Other interests include a good movie, time with family, and the occasional vacation to somewhere much warmer.
Ellie Irene
Optometric Technician
Hi my name is Ellie! I am a new and upcoming Optometric Technician here at the Eye Institute of Wyoming. I started here in August of 2024, and it truly has been an awesome experience. I have only ever worked in the hospitality industry until I started fresh in this office. I have always had an interest in the medical field and been intrigued by eyes, so this was the perfect opportunity. I now have a glasses addiction! I plan on studying to get my Certified Paraoptometric Certification to further my career. In addition to work, my hobbies include golfing, boating, snowboarding, and of course live music. I love new adventures with friends and hanging out with my cat Paul. My coworkers have been one of the highlights of coming to work here, and I look forward to meeting you and showing you how amazing our office is.
Emily Williamson
Receptionist
Emily enjoys meeting new people, so working at the reception desk is a great fit for her. She desires to greet each patient with a smile and make each one feel important. She has worked for the Eye Institute of Wyoming since the fall of 2022.
Emily spent most of her life in Colorado. She moved to Douglas, WY over eight years ago. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Other office jobs include the industries of accounting/payroll, dentistry, veterinary, logging, manufacturing and insurance.
She has also done human resources for some of her employers.
She met her husband, Bill, while in high school and married him a few weeks after finishing college. They have five grown children (3 daughters and 2 sons) who now live in three different states. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren (4 and counting) as often as possible. Baking, gardening, sewing and cross-stitching are among her hobbies. She also looks forward to camping/fishing trips in the summer months with any family members who are available to join the fun.
Michelle Stewart
Optometric Technician
My early employment was in accounting and business offices however, I burned out of that. I went back to school to become a phlebotomist after my father’s health started to decline. His experience was horrible and eventually led to his death. So, I decided that from that point on I would be part of the medical field. I really don’t care what part of the medical process I am in, I just want to make that process as pleasant as possible. I only work part time but that affords me the ability to take care of my husband’s poor health the rest of the week. I’m just glad I can be part of this practice and team to make every patient feel heard and feel better than when they came for their appointment.
While I take care of my husband and his medical needs there are other things I like to do. I like to watch documentaries, knit, crochet, draw, paint, counted cross stitch, and when I have outside animals I love taking care of chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Interestingly enough at one time I had all the birds and 3 cows. I’m lucky that we have enough land to do all of the animals and have a garden too. Maybe in the future we might open up our place for the kids in town to keep FFA animals here or others who don’t have the space for gardens to plant here. That would be fun on the weekends. We will see. The future is untold.
Michelle Thompson
Optician
I hail from the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, born and raised in Hot Springs, SD. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Processes from Chadron State College, Chadron, NE. However, I have been working in the medical field for 30 years, with 19 of them being at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, SD. I’m married and my husband is medically retired from the military – GO ARMY. I have two four- legged children: Diesel and Chloe.
As an Optician, I bring my expertise in fitting and measuring eyewear that will help correct problems with your vision and I work closely with my customers to help find the appropriate eyewear that best suits their needs based on their prescription ordered by the optometrist. I seem to learn something new every single day and it is such a joy when customers get their new glasses and are so excited in how well they can see with them. In my spare time, I spend time with my husband, play with my dogs and hang out with my 3 very enthusiastic nephews that keep me on my toes.
Whisper Frederiksen, CPO
Optometric Technician
Whisper was born and raised in Casper Wyoming, growing to love the area and all of its quirks. Growing up in Wyoming meant embracing the outdoors. Spending summers at the lake on the boat wakeboarding and winters sledding or snowboarding.
Whisper was blessed to be able to stay home raising her two children, and baking cakes until they were old enough to go to school. Today she loves to spend her free time reading, doing puzzles, and making memories with her family.
Searching for work proved to be a challenge, with a desire and passion caring for others, nothing seemed to be fulfilling, until she joined The Eye Institute of Wyoming team.
“I love working with the patients. Nothing makes my day brighter than hearing the stories from patients who have years of memories to share, or easing the anxiety of children by making their exam fun and interactive. I never thought I would find myself in a place where I was expanding myself, my education, and my love for working with people. I can’t wait to make your visit one to remember!”
Kerry Ready
Receptionist
Born in Casper and raised in Los Angeles, I transferred back to Casper in 2023. I was a producer for TV shows and commercials and always have had a passion working with clients.
Since beginning in May of 2025 at the Eye Institute, it has been great meeting fellow Wyomingites and getting to help patients. I have a dog and cat, Stella and Simba and enjoy the outdoors, specifically camping. I love spending time with family and friends. I am excited to continue to meet future and returning patients!
Heather Wales
Optician
Hey y’all, I’m Heather! I was born in Arkansas but raised in Wyoming since the ripe age of 2. I’ve always loved Wyoming and the beautiful scenery it provides. I’m always enjoying the outdoors, especially in the summer and fall months. Despite living in Wyoming my entire life, I actually despise the snow.
I’ve always had a passion for health care. I got certified as a Phlebotomist my senior year of high school, and worked in that field for about three years. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships I built with all my patients and all the knowledge I gained from peers, patients, and their families. After a while, I decided it was time for a career change and to shift my focus into a different area of health.
I wasn’t quite sure which direction I wanted to go in but I started applying for numerous positions and ended up in the world of eyes. Ever since starting at The Eye Institute of Wyoming, I have enjoyed the folks that work here and learning all the interesting facts about eyes.
Outside of work, you can usually find me at the lake, riding my dirt bike, or cruising around in my Jeep! I also enjoy spending time with my four-legged babies: Bear, Stetson, and Socks.