Dr. Frank Barnes Jr., O.D.
Frank Barnes Jr., OD received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1986 from the State University of New York, College of Optometry. After completing his internship training in low vision in 1985 from The Lighthouse in New York, he received the Fein bloom Designs for Vision award for excellence in low vision. Dr. Barnes is a panel provider for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Dr. Barnes received his BA degree in Chemistry in 1982 from the College of Holy Cross. Dr. Barnes has served on the Montclair Health Advisory, the Head Start Health Advisory Board, the Montclair Township Master Plan Committee. He is the past Secretary of the Essex County Optometric Society, and is currently the President of the National Optometric Association.
Dr. Barnes is honored to have received the Morton L. Kimmel Award honoring his student leadership and was honored with a Community Service Award from the Service United Inc Juror Entrepreneurs. He has also received the Presidential Special Recognition Award from the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. Drs. Barnes and Carter received the Montclair Economic Development Corporation 2008 Business Award. Both Dr. Barnes and Dr. Carter received Township of Montclair, NJ proclamation recognizing DR. Barnes and Carter Eyecare Group for outstanding service to the community of Montclair. |
Dr. Tanya Carter, O.D.
Dr. Tanya Carter is a Professor Emerita, at SUNY College of Optometry. She served in various positions over 30 years including as associate clinical professor for 3rd and 4th year interns, instructor of record for the geriatrics course, and ocular disease residency supervisor at Coler Memorial Hospital. Dr. Carter earned her Doctor of Optometry at SUNY Optometry in 1987 and completed a residency at St. Albans Veterans Administration Hospital. Dr. Carter received her BS degree from the University of California at Los Angeles. She recently was honored to receive the recognition of The Distinguished Resident Alumni SUNY College of Optometry.
Dr. Carter is in private practice in Montclair, NJ, where she serves as Chief Operating Officer of BNC Eyecare Group. Dr. Carter has served in several capacities on the board of the National Optometric Association (NOA) and has mentored numerous pre-optometry and NOSA students along their optometric journey. She is honored to have received the distinction of Student of the Year and Optometrist of the Year from the NOA. Dr. Carter has also received the Morton L. Kimmel Award for her student leadership. In recognition of her commitment to serving her community, Dr. Carter has received various honors such as; Community Service Award from Service United Inc/juror Entrepreneurs, Ambassador of the 35th Annual Parade and Festival of Montclair, African American Heritage Foundation Inc., and The Township of Montclair, NJ proclamation recognizing BNC Eyecare Group for outstanding service to the community of Montclair. |
Dr. Mariam Hessen, O.D. |
Dr. Mariam Hessen is a New Jersey native and the eldest of two daughters in a Sudanese-American family. Dr. Hessen is a proud graduate of the State University of New York College of Optometry, Class of 2024. She received her BA degree in Biology and Psychology minor in 2020 from Rutgers University. Throughout her clinical training, Mariam has gained extensive experience in various settings, including high-volume OD/MD practices and specialized care facilities. She has managed complex cases involving retinal conditions, dry eye treatments, and pre- and postoperative care for ocular surgeries. Her hands-on experience at renowned institutions like Brooklyn Eye Center, Gouverneur HealthCare Services, OMNI Eye Services, and University Eye Center has equipped her with a broad skill set across primary care, low vision, pediatrics, contact lenses, glaucoma and more. Dr. Hessen is also passionate about education and leadership, having served as Secretary for the Connecticut Student Association of Optometrists and as a panelist in discussions on cultural wealth and diversity in optometry. Fluent in Arabic and with a working knowledge of Spanish, Mariam is committed to providing inclusive and comprehensive eye care. She is an active member of the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA), and she continues to expand her expertise through ongoing professional development. With a passion for exceptional patient care and ocular health, she is excited to join BNC Eyecare Group. |
Dr. Aayh Abdelgawad, O.D. |
Dr. Aayh Abdelgawad is an accomplished optometrist with a background in ocular health and vision care. She graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers University with a degree in Kinesiology and earned her optometry degree with clinical honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Dr. Abdelgawad is skilled in primary eye care, contact lens fittings, and treating ocular diseases, with a special focus on dry eye syndrome. Her clinical training also included vision therapy and pediatric and binocular vision care. Committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in optometry, Dr. Abdelgawad has been active in initiatives to recruit minority groups into the profession. She was a National Optometric Association (NOA) panelist alongside Dr. Barnes, discussing these efforts. Fluent in English and Arabic, Dr. Abdelgawad is dedicated to offering compassionate care to a diverse patient population. |