Board of Directors

Sarah Bixby-DuBois, O.D. - President

Dr. Bixby-DuBois obtained a Bachelor of Marine Biology from the University of Alaska Southeast. She obtained her Doctorate of Optometry from Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, California, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She completed rotations at SEARHC in Sitka, Alaska, Wellish Vision Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the VA in Amarillo, Texas before returning home to practice in Juneau, Alaska. She has been at Alaska Vision Center since 2013. As a 3rd-generation Juneauite, has been grateful to be able to give back, live, and raise a family in the wonderful community of Juneau. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Alaskan Optometric Association. In 2020, she participated in a week-long event in Nicaragua through Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity (VOSH), which provided care to over 4,000 patients. 

Ashley Kettler, O.D.-President-Elect

After finishing her bachelor's degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Dr. Ashley Kettler attended Southern California College of Optometry and graduated with her doctorate in 2013. She is licensed through the California State Board of Optometry and the Alaska State Board of Optometry with Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent (TPA) and glaucoma certifications. Her clinical rotations included the US Naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, the Indian Health Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma and the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Following graduation, Dr. Kettler joined a private practice in Oceanside, CA before her southeast Alaskan roots called her and her husband back to Anchorage in 2014. They now have three children, Jonas, Rhiannon and Juniper. She enjoys hiking, gardening, snowboarding, yoga and experimenting with new recipes. As of 2018, Dr. Kettler joined Dr. Jeff Gonnason and staff in providing quality eye and vision care to patients throughout Anchorage. She enjoys fitting contact lenses, monitoring and treating ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma and managing dry eye disease. She strives to enhance the quality of one’s life by providing clear and comfortable vision.

Tanner Wentzien, O.D.-Vice President

Dr. Tanner Wentzien is a board-certified Optometric Physician. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Human Physiology at the University of Iowa. He then elected to further his education by acquiring his doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Dr. Wentzien is an award-winning clinician who gained advanced ocular disease training while on rotations both in Chicago, Illinois, and Hampton, Virginia, VA hospital. Through his advanced training, he gained a particular interest in managing the ocular manifestations of systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and neuropathology. As a member of both the Alaskan and American Optometric Associations, Dr. Wentzien traveled to Washington, DC to educate members of the House and Senate on pivotal optometric legislation. He takes time out of his busy schedule to travel and provide eye care to underserved areas around the world, with most recent trips to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Peru.

Dr. Wentzien loves Alaska and is thrilled to be practicing at Makar Eyecare, which allows him to utilize the most up-to-date technology to better serve his patients. Living in such a beautiful state permits him to practice optometry while also indulging his other passions such as mountain biking, hiking, and downhill skiing.

Tessa Delaney, OD- Secretary

Kind, friendly, and full of energy, Tessa Delaney is considerate of others and likes to laugh. Born and raised in Texas, she grew up in Dallas. Starting with judo as a youngster, Tessa transitioned to competition wrestling in high school and college. Caring and fun-loving, her interests include being outdoors, camping, hiking, and playing with her two Alaskan Huskies, Taiga and Tundra. Tessa and her husband, Dan, a physical scientist, live in Anchorage, Alaska.

Craig Begin, O.D.- Treasurer

Dr. Craig Begin has been practicing optometry for over 20 years. After initially practicing in the Nashville area, he moved to Alaska.

Damien Delzer, O.D.-Immediate Past President

Dr. Damien Delzer is an optometrist practicing in Fairbanks, AK. Dr. Delzer specializes in providing eye care services to patients. As an optometrist, Dr. Delzer performs eye exams, tests vision, corrects vision by prescribing eyeglasses or contacts, detects certain eye disorders, and manages and treats vision problems. Optometrists often work closely with ophthalmologists treat patients with surgical procedures.