Meet the incredible Doctors at First Eye Care Central Texas

Larry E. Kocian, Jr., O.D.

Dr. Larry E Kocian, Jr. attended the University of Houston College of Optometry, earning the Doctor of Optometry degree in 2017. Dr. Kocian completed undergraduate studies at Baylor University where he obtained the Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Forensic Science and a minor in Anthropology. During his time at the University of Houston, Dr. Kocian earned academic recognition as a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society and recognition of leadership and service as a member of the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society.

Michael Reyes, O.D.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Dr. Reyes received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1998 and obtained his optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2004. Dr. Reyes served as an active duty Air Force optometrist from 2004-2007 and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves where he serves as Chief of Optometry for the 489th Aerospace Medicine Flight, Dyess AFB, Texas.

After working in The Woodlands, Plano, and San Antonio from 2007-2010, Dr. Reyes moved to Belton in 2010 to join Belton Eye Care Center and later founded Enlighten Vision & Eye Care in Copperas Cove in 2015 prior to merging his practice with Dr. Lucas and First Eye Care in August 2018.

Jolynn Hoang, O.D.

Jolynn Hoang is licensed as a Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. She grew up in Victoria, Texas and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in Music History, Literature, and Theory. Dr. Hoang then returned to Texas to earn her Doctorate of Optometry, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2018.

Donovan Green, O.D.

Colonel (ret) Donovan Green was born in Kingston, Jamaica. In May 1988, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from State University of New York and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Medical Service Corps through Hofstra University. He holds a Master in Business Administration from Touro University International and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. His military education includes the Army Medical Department Basic and Advanced Courses; Combined Armed Service Staff School; Command and General Staff College; Nuclear Biological Chemical Course; Combat Casualty Care Course; Joint Operation Medical Manager Course; Lean Six Sigma—Black Belt; Black Belt in TAEKWONDO; and USUHS Executive Skills Course. Colonel Green is the first African American optometrist to obtain the rank of Colonel in the Army Medical Department.

Allison Rocha, O.D.

Dr. Allison Rocha was raised in Leander, TX. She attended Texas A&M University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She obtained her Doctorate of Optometry from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She served on the American Optometric Student Association Board of Trustees and as Gold Key Society President during her time at UIW.

Austin Ruiz, O.D.

Dr. Austin Ruiz is a Killeen native and graduated from Killeen High School in 1975. After high school, he studied at the University of Houston in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He received his optometry degree from University of Houston College of Optometry in 1981. He received extensive pathology training on the Sioux Indian Reservations of Standing Rock and Eagle Butte in North and South Dakota. Dr. Ruiz received his Fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in November in 1989. The Fellowship was the culmination of three years of work and study in the areas of strabismus, amblyopia, and visually related learning disorders.

Thomas A. Lucas, Jr., O.D.

Dr. Thomas A. Lucas Jr. was raised in Houston, Texas, and from an early age was interested in science studies. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University where he majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry.

Dr. Lucas is licensed by the Texas Optometry Board as a Therapeutic Optometrist and an Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. He takes pride in providing Central Texas with the highest levels of eye care at our Killeen and Salado locations. Caring for his patients’ eye health and vision is his highest professional priority.

John Branch, M.D.

John William Branch, M.D. was raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the east Tennessee town of Kingsport. He grew up playing baseball and football, as well as hiking along the Appalachian Trail and the several national parks of the area. He obtained his bachelor’s degree at Clemson University where he was an active Young Life leader and assistant football coach of the area’s high school football team.

David Z. Gay, M.D.

Dr. David Gay decided to become a surgeon at the age of eight. During his high school years he began doing rotations in hospitals and scrubbing in to observe surgeries first hand. As soon as he was eighteen he trained as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). He did his undergraduate training at the University of Utah successfully completing a double major in Exercise Physiology and German Literature.

Sean Paul, M.D.

Dr. Sean Paul grew up in South Texas. After graduating near the top of his class, he was accepted into the highly prestigious Business Honors Program (BHP) at The University of Texas at Austin. During college, he was named Student of the Year by the Cactus Yearbook and awarded Outstanding Business Senior upon graduation.