Orange Beach, AL
Meet The Staff
Orange Beach, AL
ABOUT US
Meet Our Team
We are Coastal Family Eyecare, not just because we welcome people at all stages of life into our practice, but because when you walk through the door you are treated like family. Our commitment to offering you the best care starts with caring people. Our staff is comprised of a wonderful group of women with more than eight decades of combined experience in the eyecare and optical fields. Each member of the team, led by Dr. Wilder, brings invaluable expertise to the table along with their own warm personality. Our patients love the confidence they have in Dr. Wilder and her staff to address their needs, from medical diagnostics and treatment plans to custom glasses and contact lens fittings for their best vision quality and comfort. We welcome you into our practice where you will be treated like family.
Clare L. Wilder, OD
optometrist
Dr. Wilder graduated with honors from the University of Alabama School of Optometry in 2001. She received both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Biology from UAB. Prior to attending the University of Alabama in Birmingham, she attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and was a member of the Million Dollar Band.
More about Dr. Clare Wilder
Dr. Wilder participated in the Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity during optometry school and enjoyed providing eye care in Central America. She was also a member of the Golden Key and Beta Sigma Kappa honor societies. Dr. Wilder is currently a member of the American Optometric Association and the Alabama Optometric Association. She is a past president of the West Florida Optometric Association.
Dr. Wilder spends a large portion of her time in her practice managing glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye patients. She also has special interests in specialty contact lens services and enjoys working with new technology for those with irregular corneas, such as keratoconus or post-corneal surgery patients. Dr. Wilder also works with young patients to help reduce the progression of myopia.
When not caring for her patients, Dr. Wilder loves to be on the water sailing, fishing, or paddle boarding with her husband Kelly, with whom she shares four children and one granddaughter. Her oldest daughter has worked with her in the practice for over ten years.
Dr. Wilder is also a local acrylic and resin artist. You can see some of her work in the office or at the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach. She was a featured artist in the Coastal Arts Center’s special Resin Reflections Exhibition.
Lurleen Tate-Smith
Optician, ABOC, NCLEC
Lurleen has worked in the optical industry for over 20 years in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and Alabama. She is a Licensed Optician and is certified by the American Board of Opticianry as well as the National Contact Lens Examiners.
More about Lurleen Tate-Smith
Lurleen is passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and will assist you with ordering products to meet your optical needs. She enjoys fitting patients in frames that make them feel confident and making sure that their lenses provide them with the best vision for their unique lifestyle.
When Lurleen is not working, she enjoys the amazing beaches of Pensacola, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores with her husband, Roger, and their beautiful Siberian Husky, Czar Nikolai. She is stepmom to Chris, Ethan, and Eric, and Nanna to Roger’s 4 amazing grandchildren.
Lurleen loves to bake cookies during the holidays and make sweet homemade fudges, a tradition handed down to her from her beloved mother. She hopes to make your optical experience just as sweet when you stop in at Coastal Family Eyecare.
Virginia Ford
Receptionist, CPO, AKA “Ginny”
Ginny has over 28 years of experience in the optometry profession, starting with her father’s clinic in Starkville, MS. She will be your first point of contact when you call or enter the office. She is dedicated to outstanding patient care and enjoys showering patients with her southern hospitality.
More about Virginia Ford
Her main priority is to manage the schedule so there is little to no wait time and more valuable time with the doctor. She will also work to verify and bill medical insurance to help her patients avoid the headache of insurance. Ginny’s optometry career has given her the knowledge to help every aspect of the practice, so please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
Ginny is married to Chris and together they share 4 amazing children. She enjoys fishing, beach days, cooking out, and SEC football. HAIL STATE!
CPR/BLS certified.
Cassidy Smothers
Technician
Cassidy has been in eyecare for 5 years. She got her start in eyecare in Kentucky until she decided to move for some warmer weather and beach views. Cassidy’s role is to complete all pre-testing and documentation before seeing Dr. Wilder, as well as completing special testing for accurate medical diagnostics.
More about Cassidy Smothers
She is very passionate about developing relationships with patients and making sure everyone gets exceptional care.
When Cassidy isn’t working, you can find her reading a book at the beach, snuggling up with her dogs, Emma, Meeko, and Jax, or gaming with her friends.
Moira Leonard
Administration
Moira has been working at Coastal Family Eyecare since Dr. Wilder opened her first location, taking a three-year pause while she earned her Bachelor’s in Linguistics and worked as a health educator.
More about Moira Leonard
She has worked all roles of Receptionist, Technician, Optician, Insurance/Billing, and eventually Office Manager until stepping back in 2022 to travel and work remotely. The expansion of the clinic to include the Dry Eye Center has been her favorite project and she has enjoyed developing patient education materials for dry eye. Moira loves helping patients feel knowledgeable and empowered about their eye health and it has been a great privilege to work for her mother to help her business thrive.
She has since moved to France to pursue her Masters and continues working remotely as an administrator. She works behind the scenes to support staff in their efforts to deliver fantastic patient care and carries out projects to help Dr. Wilder manage the business as a whole.
Moira loves to cook (and eat). When she is not working or studying, she is preparing a picnic or dinner party spread. She loves to wow her non-American friends with southern cooking, especially her pecan pie.
Amber Champagne
IPL/Dry Eye Technician
Amber joined the Coastal Family Eyecare team in February of 2024 as the IPL Tech helping patients reverse their dry eye symptoms using intense pulsed light therapy under the supervision of Dr. Wilder to achieve better dry eye relief as well as other cosmetic benefits for patients.
More about Amber Champagne
Amber is a Permanent Makeup Artist, specializing in microblading. She has been in the beauty industry for over 5 years as a microblading artist and a permanent makeup instructor, teaching hundreds of women across the Gulf Coast the art of permanent makeup. She now owns her own salon in Gulf Shores, AL.
Amber grew up in Pensacola, FL but now lives in Foley with her children and dog, Amos. She has three kids, and in her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and working on her art.