Our Optometrists

Dr. Steven Kocks is a lifelong resident of the Saginaw, MI area.  He graduated with honors from Ferris State University College of Optometry in 1986.  He has practiced comprehensive optometry with a special interest in children's visual development and visual processing.

Dr. Kocks has been a clinical investigator for Bausch & Lomb, Ciba, and Vistakon, evaluating the latest technologies in contact lens wear and care.  He has been active in InfantSee, a national program providing no cost visual evaluations for children 6 to 12 months of age.  He has provided numerous presentations to parents and teachers on the importance of vision in the learning process.

Dr. Kocks is an assistant professor at the Michigan College of Optometry, and is a member of the advisory committee at Saginaw Valley State University College of Business.  He is past president of the Saginaw Jaycees and Saginaw Valley Optometric Society.  He is an active member of the Michigan and American Optometric Associations, College of Optometrists in Vision Development and the Optometric Extension Program.

Dr. Jean Barden graduated from Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University with high distinction in 2001.  While she was there she was honored with the Michigan Optometric Association Student of the Year Award. She was active in the student divisions of the American Optometric Association, the Michigan Optometric Association and Volunteers of Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH). As a member of VOSH, she participated in a trip to the Caribbean to provide eye exams and to distribute donated glasses to residents of St. Lucia. Her clinical internships included training in primary care, pediatric care, contact lenses, ocular disease and refractive surgery.

After graduating, and for the following 9 years, she practiced in the suburbs of Detroit. There she was co-chair, and prior to that trustee, of the Metropolitan Detroit Optometric Society.  She has remained a member of good standing of the American Optometric Association and the Michigan Optometric Association.

Dr. Barden and her husband moved back to their hometown of Vassar, MI in 2009. She sees patients at our offices in Vassar, Marlette and Hemlock and enjoys treating a variety of patients, from infants to the elderly.

Dr. Kylie Kaczmarczyk earned her B.S. in Vision Science from Ferris State University in 2001 and a Doctorate of Optometry with highest distinction from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in 2003. While attending the Michigan College of Optometry she received numerous awards including the Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal Award, the Senior Research Award in Original Investigative Work, and the David J. Kerko Low Vision Award. Dr. Kaczmarczyk has experience working in various modes of practice. Her interests include contact lenses and pediatrics. She is a member of the Saginaw Valley Optometric Society and the American Optometric Association (AOA).

Retired June 2012
(1943-2011)

Dr. Kenneth Suppes has worked with children and adults providing diagnosis and therapy for behavioral vision problems since 1972. His purpose is to educate our patients about vision and, when necessary, provide remediation. Dr. Suppes specializes in binocular (eye coordination) and visual perceptual problems as well as visual problems associated with closed-head injuries.

Professional Organizations

• Member of American Optometric Association, Contact Lens Section
• Member of Michigan Optometric Association
• Member of Optometric Extension Program
• Member of College of Optometrists in Vision Development
• Past chairman of Saginaw Valley Optometric Association
• Past secretary for Eye Care of Michigan
• Past member of the Board of Directors for Comprehensive Eye Care of Michigan

• Tuscola County Schools
• Saginaw Child Find Program
• Saginaw Head Start Program
• Millet Center