Dr. Heather Gitchell is an experienced Doctor of Optometry at our Boulder and Longmont locations. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Keene State College in Keene, NH. She went on to complete a year-long research fellowship at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, MD at the National Institutes of Health. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree, with honors, from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2005. She returned to Colorado for a residency in ocular pathology and surgical co-management.
Dr. Gitchell has been part of studies published in both scientific and optometric journals and has been active in the Colorado Optometric Association, serving on the Board of Trustees for six years and as president in 2018. Dr, Gitchell was given the honor of Optometrist of the Year in 2021, awarded by the Colorado Optometric Association. She has provided eye care at the Denver Rescue Mission and has been appointed by two Governors to a Medicaid Advisory committee with the Department of Health Care Policy and Finance. She provided comprehensive vision and medical eye care at a private practice in Louisville, CO for thirteen years before joining InSight Vision Group.
Dr. Gitchell loves living in Boulder and taking advantage of all Colorado has to offer. She enjoys hiking, skiing, paddle boarding, rafting, traveling, and playing soccer.
2001-2005 Doctor of Optometry, with distinction, Pacific University College of Optometry
1998-1999 pre-IRTA Fellowship, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
1994-1998 Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, Keene State College, Keene, NH
2021 Colorado Optometric Association, Optometrist of the Year
2005 Pacific University President’s Award (Academic Achievement and Commitment)
2005 VSP Scholarship Award (Excellence in Primary Care)
2003-2004 President PUCO chapter of BSK Optometric Honor Society
2003-2004 Recipient of BSK Research Grant for Thesis
2001 Pacific University Dean’s Scholarship
1998 Aubrey Thomas, Jr. Award (Outstanding Proficiency in Biology)
1998 Keene State College Outstanding Senior Service Award
1997-1998 President LZ chapter of BBB National Biology Honor Society
1997-1998 Recipient of Undergraduate Research Grant from Keene State College
2006-Present Colorado Optometric Glaucoma Society (COGS)
2002-Present ΒΣΚ Optometric Honor Society
2001-Present American Optometry Association (AOA)
2001-Present Colorado Optometric Association (COA)
1998-Present Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 1996-Present βββ National Biology Honor Society
2018-2019 President, COA
2017-2018 President-Elect, COA
2017-present Vice-Chair, Night Medicaid Advisory Committee
2016-present Annual Meeting Chair, COGS
2016-2017 Secretary-Treasurer, COA
2015-present CO State Medicaid Advisory Committee
2014-present Chair of Medicaid Branch of Third Party Committee, COA
2014-2016 Trustee on the Colorado Optometric Association Board of Trustees
2013-present Legislative Key Person, COA
2008-present Education Committee, COGS
2008 Selected for COA Leadership Program