Meet the Doctors

Dr. Natalie Ramirez is a comprehensive clinical optometrist with enhanced training in ocular disease diagnosis and management. Dr. Ramirez was born and raised in Turlock, California and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis.

She received her doctorate from the Southern California College of Optometry.  During optometry school she completed clinical rotations at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, Center for the Partially Sighted, and the Optometric Center of Los Angeles. After graduating optometry school, Dr. Ramirez completed an ocular disease residency at the Southern Nevada VA Healthcare System in 2014.

Dr. Ramirez has clinical experience in various practice settings including working alongside retinal ophthalmologists here on Oahu, serving our nation’s veterans at VA Fresno, and taking care of our active duty and their families at the Naval Health Clinic at Pearl Harbor where her husband was previously stationed.

Dr. Ramirez has also enjoyed teaching optometry students and residents as a clinical adjunct faculty instructor for a number of optometry schools. In 2016, Dr. Ramirez became a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Ramirez is fluent in Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and traveling with her family.

Education:

Ocular Disease Residency – Southern Nevada VA Healthcare System in Las Vegas 2014
Southern California College of Optometry 2013
University of California, Davis 2009
 

Memberships – Professional Organizations:

American Academy of Optometry
American Optometric Association
Hawaii Optometric Association

Dr. Duane Chang has been practicing optometry since 1988. He was a civilian optometrist at Tripler Army Medical Center prior to joining Vision Care Centers of Hawaii – Waipahu Clinic. Dr. Chang practices full-scope optometry with an interest in eye disease management and contact lenses.

Education:
Moanalua High School 1975
University of Hawaii 1980 B.A., Psychology
Pacific University 1988-Doctor of Optometry

Memberships – Professional Organizations:
American Optometric Association
Hawaii Optometric Association

Memberships – Service Organizations:
Member Kalihi Union Church (Evangelical Free Church)

Dr. Chris Pellejera has over a decade of experience as an Optometrist. He was born and raised in the Philippines. Upon graduation from high school, he immigrated to Gresham, OR with his family in 1993. He started his Optometry career working as a fabricating optician and optometry technician in 1994.

Dr. Pellejera has clinical experience in various practice settings, including working at community health clinics providing eye care for the underserved population in eastern Washington state. He also worked alongside military ophthalmologists and optometrists serving armed forces beneficiaries.

Dr. Pellejera is fluent in Tagalog and can conduct eye exams in Spanish. In his free time he enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and hanging out at the beach with his family.

Education: 

Doctor of Optometry – Inter American University School of Optometry 2012 
Bachelor of Science – Concordia University Portland 2007

In 1971, Dr. Ede opened his first optometry office on historic Waipahu Depot Road below the sugar mill. He moved the office in 1987 to the current location at Waipahu Town Center. Dr. Ede cared for his patients and the community for 50 years and subsequently sold the practice to Dr. Ramirez in January 2022.