Doctors & Staff

   Dr. Craig Clatanoff, O.D.

 Dr. Craig Clatanoff is a board certified optometric physician. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Dr. Clatanoff is a past president of the New Mexico Optometric Association and a past recipient of the Optometrist of the Year Award. Dr. Clatanoff is an active member of the Rotary Club of Rio Rancho. He enjoys golf, softball, and cycling in his spare time.

Both Dr. Clatanoff and Dr. Planitz embrace the Optometry Giving Sight Program. This charitable organization is dedicated to the prevention of blindness due to uncorrected refractive error world wide. The program not only provides glasses to people in need in third world countries, but trains new optometrists in these underserved populations in order to perpetuate the program.

   Dr. Jennifer Planitz, O.D. 

Dr. Jennifer Planitz is a board certified Optometric Physician. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, with residency training in ocular disease and pathology through the University of Houston. Dr. Planitz served as the first female president of the New Mexico Optometric Association. She has also been a clinical examiner for the state board, and has chaired the See to Learn, Healthy Eyes Healthy People, and InfantSEE task forces. Dr. Planitz is a Vision Source administrator for the state of New Mexico. She has received the Optometrist of the Year award, the Optometry in Action award, as well as the Vision Source New Administrator of the Year award. Dr. Planitz was recently named one of the Top 50 Women in Optical by Vision Monday Magazine. She serves the American Optometric Association as Political Action Committee Representative for the state of New Mexico and represents the Southwest on the Federal Legislative Action Keyperson Committee.  Dr. Planitz lectures nation wide on such topics as practice management, computer software systems, and managed care. In her spare time Dr. Planitz enjoys Jazzercise, dog walking, and spending time with her family. Dr. Planitz is now a Certified Jazzercise Instructor!  Her teaching schedule is listed under the "Jazzer-Eyes" tab of this web site.  The schedule is updated weekly.  Dr. Planitz invites you to bring a friend and join her in a Jazzercise class soon!

Both doctors ultimately enjoy spending time with their two children the most. Dr. Clatanoff discovered their son suffered from amblyopia, or "lazy eye", at age 3. That is why both doctors feel it is so important for every child to receive a thorough eye examination by age 3, or sooner if parents perceive there to be a visual or learning problem. Most children suffering from lazy eye will show no visual symptoms, as the "good eye" tends to take over, leaving vision in the "bad eye" undeveloped. When this occurs, the child has a significantly reduced chance of developing normal binocular vision. This will affect the child's capacity to learn, as 80% of all learning is processed through the visual system. It will affect the child's participation in sports, as binocular vision is required to determine how fast a ball is moving and how far away the goal is. Reduced binocular vision can also limit career choices, such as becoming a pilot, fire person, or police officer. Said Dr. Clatanoff, "If we detect amblyopia early on, it can be treated and its effects minimized. If we don't catch it until age 8 or 9, the treatment is significantly less effective. The phrase we dislike telling parents the most is, "If only we had caught this sooner..."

Elaine Diaz, CPO, VSBA, and Office Manager                                                                                     

Elaine has been with Rio Eyecare since July 2000.

Elaine is a graduate of National American University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and is a certified Vision Source Business Associate.   She is the New Mexico Vision Source Facilitator.  She has successfully completed the Williams Consulting Group Executive Training Program. Elaine is a certified Optomap operator, certified Paraoptometric, and has extensive training in optical and contact lens dispensing. With her vast knowledge of billing and insurance, any questions you may have can be researched and answered.

Elaine is also bi-lingual. Ella habla español.

        

Renee Tellez, NCLE and CPO Team Lead

Renee has been with Rio Eyecare since August 1998. She is a certified Optomap operator, NCLE certified, certified Paraoptometric, and has extensive training on several diagnostic instruments including the Epic, Visual Field, OCT, and Topographer. Renee also specializes and is a patient of corneal refractive therapy. Renee is best to answer any questions you might have regarding CRT.

Consuelo Armijo-Miller, NCLEC and CPO

Consuelo has been with Rio Eyecare since February 2004. Consuelo has extensive training in Optical and Contact Lens dispensing and is NCLEC certified. She is also a Certified Paraoptometric. With her knowledge of vision insurances any questions for can be researched and answered.

 

Betty Stout, Patient Care Coordinator Team Lead

Betty joined the team at Rio Eyecare in August of 2006 as a Patient Care Coordinator. Born in New York, Betty and her family relocated to Rio Rancho in 1992. She has several years experience in Customer Service and is happy to assist in scheduling appointments and answering your insurance inquiries. Betty is on the Board of Directors of Rio Rancho Education Foundation, and plays an active leadership role in her church.

Carol Senn, CPOT

Carol Senn joined Rio Eyecare in May 2006. Carol has served her country as a member of the United States Coast Guard and enjoyed many years working as a Veterinary Assistant. Carol is a Certified Paraoptometric Technician.  She performs all special testing which includes Visual Field and Optical Coherence Tomography.  She has extensive training in fitting and training of contact lens patients.

        

Ketti Cash, CPOT

Ketti Cash joined Rio Eyecare in October 2006.  A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Ketti worked as a Veterinary Assistant for several years in both Missouri and New Mexico, fulfilling her passion for helping animals. In her spare time she enjoys walking and playing with her three rescued dogs. Ketti is a Certified Paraoptometric Technician, and loves to work with pediatric patients.

   

Heather Cowan, Certified Optician Team Lead

Heather has been with Rio Eyecare since June 2005.  As a Certified Optician, she is great in helping with frame selection and lens options that would best fit your needs. Heather has an exceptional attitude and always has a smile.

Samantha Serrano, Frame and Lens Specialist

Samantha joined the team at Rio Eyecare in August 2008. Sam is here to help with recommendations and to provide the best choices for your eyewear needs. In her spare time, Sam enjoys reading and spending time with her two young daughters.

Ashley Kewanwytewa, CPO

Ashley has been with Rio Eyecare since May 2008.  From the Pueblo of Zia, Ashley is very active in preserving the culture and traditions of her Pueblo.  She will be continuing her education to complete her Associates Degree and is a Certified Paraoptometric.