Our Staff
Meet the experienced and friendly staff who help make Eyes For Life the leading provider of vision care products and services in Spokane, WA.
Emily Vail, Manager
Emily joined Eyes For Life in 2018 as a receptionist, with several years of veterinary medicine under her belt. During her short time at Eyes for Life, Emily has gained the trust and respect of staff and patients alike working as an insurance coordinator, optician, optical lead, and now manager. Emily is ABO certified and continues to widen her learning spectrum by utilizing EPCU’s Management Program.
Her bright smile and expertise leave patients feeling well cared for and staff feeling like they have a team to lean on. She believes in hard work and takes pride in helping anyway she can. Emily continues to be a great leader training new staff in their duties.
In her free time, Emily enjoys time with family, has a passion for trap shooting and loves to design beautiful accessories for others to enjoy.
Hannah Grella, Lead Technician
Hannah was born in Montana and moved to Spokane in 2010. She graduated from Deer Park High School and attended Spokane Falls Community College for her AA degree. Hannah started as our insurance coordinator with no prior eye knowledge. Within 2 years, she has become the lead technician and achieved her CPO certification. Hannah is also trained in reception, and basic optical dispensing. Her friendly smile, and outgoing personality make every patient feel welcomed in our office. Career driven, Hannah hopes to continue learning and growing at Eyes For Life.
Outside of work Hannah enjoys crafting, cooking, and true crime. She also loves spending time with her family and friends.
Rachel DeRyan, Technician
Starting at Eyes For Life in 2013 as one of the first technicians for the practice, Rachel loves working firsthand with our valued patients. Greeting each patient with a bright and cheerful smile, she makes them feel comfortable and welcome. Her caring demeanor along with her vast knowledge of eyes puts even the most anxious patients and fellow employees at ease. She enjoys working with patients of all ages, performing a variety of tests in preparation to seeing the doctor. Rachel’s expertise also includes years of prior experience in optical, the ability to effectively run the front desk operations, as well as molding new technicians with her excellent mentorship.
In addition to her career, Rachel is a full-time mother and loves spending quality time with her children. Her passion for travel makes her a rich and well-rounded individual.
Annie Tresko, Technician
Born and raised in Spokane, Annie received her BS from the University of Washington and joined us with a background working in corneal transplantation in Seattle. Her eagerness to learn has allowed her to quickly become a fully trained technician happy to answer any of your questions. Her interest in learning the latest procedures in providing the highest quality eye care guarantees to our patients they are in good hands at Eyes for Life. In her free time, you will find Annie spending her summers hiking or kayaking the state parks around Spokane, or perhaps weeding in the garden. In the winters, Annie enjoys snowshoeing or staying warm inside working on intricate fabric art projects.
Heidi Kolarsky, Technician
Brand new to the team at Eyes For Life, Heidi joins us after enjoying years at home raising four children. She grew up in Northern Minnesota and graduated from Bethel College in St. Paul, MN. Heidi and her husband, Thomas, spent time in Indonesia working with a study-abroad program before moving to Spokane where they have lived for almost two decades. Heidi enjoys coffee in the morning with her husband, watching her kids grow in their passions, annual road trips to visit family in the Midwest, quality time with friends, and staying active in the great outdoors. Heidi loves meeting new people and enjoys the opportunity to serve them well.
Ashley Dudycha, Technician
CPO certified, Ashley joined Eyes For Life in 2017 with administration sales experience. Quiet and calm by nature, Ashley calms all those around her. As a full-time nursing student at Spokane Community College, she uses her passion for learning and her previous experience in interior design to make patients feel at home and look their best. Even part-time, her presence is felt and appreciated by all.
Artistic at heart, she continues to show her green thumb with her love for anything plant-related. Ashley loves reading, hanging out with family, and making pottery in her spare time.
Miranda Richter, Optician
Miranda joined Eyes For Life as a receptionist, and since has moved to our optical department. Having a couple years of working in a long term care facility as a food and nutrition assistant, she uses her knowledge to create a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Whether it is helping patients find the perfect frame, troubleshooting optic issues, or explaining lens options in accordance to doctor recommendations, Miranda is there to meet their needs and ensure they are100% satisfied.
Outside of work, Miranda enjoys being outdoors camping and hiking with her family.
Mallory Steen, Optician
Mallory joined our practice having an extensive medical background having received her AA in radiology and working in the field since college. As an ABO certified optician, she uses her southern disposition, bright smile and sense of style to help people find the best lens and frame options that fits both the doctors recommendations and patient needs.
On her free time, Mallory enjoys hiking and seeing the world with the love of her life.
Angela Urquidez, Optician
Angela joined Eyes For Life in 2019 as a receptionist, with previous management experience. She has excelled in many departments with EFL such reception, insurance coordinator, technician, and now as an optician, thus showing what a vital part she plays on our team. Angela is CPO certified and is eager to do and learn more. Always striving to offer the best, she takes pride in helping each patient and fellow staff. In her new position, Angela enjoys helping with frame styling and adjustments. She believes in making the patient’s needs a priority, and is thoroughly qualified to explained the doctors recommendations.
Angela enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Hailee Cordova, Receptionist
Joining our team in 2020, Hailee brightens the front desk with her caring demeanor and beautiful smile. Being the first and last impression of any patients visit at Eyes For Life, she believes every patient should walk out our door feeling cared for, heard, and 100% satisfied. Her whimsical mannerisms and desire to grow makes her a joy to work with.
Hailee has a passion for hunting, hiking, archery or just about anything that has to do with the outdoors. She loves her family, her dogs and recently acquired chickens.
Ryleigh Bowes, Receptionist
Started Eyes for Life June of 2021, Ryleigh is one of the newest members to join Eyes For Life, starting this past June as a receptionist. With Ryleigh’s pure love to learn, she continues to grow life-long skills while providing premium patient care. Her bright smile and cheery disposition makes everyone feel welcome at Eyes For Life.
Ryleigh enjoys spending time with her family, has a passion for running (cross country and track), loves kayaking and her favorite animal is a cow.