3 weeks Ago By By Amanda Davis [email protected]
Dr. Michael Reynolds, an Ophthalmologist and partner in Reynolds and Anlikar Eye Physicians and Surgeons, will step into retirement in June after 30 years of serving patients in Emporia and surrounding areas. Reynolds and his wife, Joyce Reynolds, will be moving to Colorado to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
According to Reynolds, he is excited about the next chapter in his life. “My kids and grandkids weren't here, and I was missing out on a lot of their activities, their birthday parties and things like that,” Reynolds said. “Once we finally secured a very qualified doctor to join the practice, I felt comfortable transitioning it over to another and taking time off for myself and my family.
” A Paola native, Reynolds graduated summa cum laude from Baker University, and with honors from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed an internship at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, and his Ophthalmology residency and medical retina fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at The University of Miami. Reynolds and his wife arrived in Emporia in 1994, as part of a medical school scholarship that required him to serve a critically underserved area.
He joined the practice of Dr. Bergersen in 1994, and bought the practice from him in 1999. Dr.
Wayne Anliker joined the practice around 2002. Since its inception, Reynolds estimates that his practice has become one of the largest in the state of Kansas, with satellite offices in Pittsburgh, Manhattan, and other areas. Reynolds’ practice specializes in eye surgery and addressing medical eye problems, made up of around 80% cataract surgeries and 20% laser and eye surgeries.
Reynolds typically performs surgery two to three days a week. Starting in the mid-90s, Reynolds began visiting rural hospitals across Kansas with no access to an optometrist to perform surgeries, which can often be a delicate endeavor. “Everything for the most part takes place through an operating microscope,” Reynolds said.
“Your world is about an inch square that you're working on most of the time. You have to get very comfortable working through a microscope on very small delicate tissues.” Watching patients improve has been one of the most rewarding parts of working in ophthalmology, according to Reynolds.
Patients are often nervous about eye surgery when they arrive, and leave with a new ability to tackle life. “It was incredible to get to follow them along afterwards and see how it affected their quality of their life,” Reynolds said. “All of a sudden, they might be able to start driving again, and over time, when you have a practice for thirty years, you see them and then you see their kids and it goes on and on through the generations.
” Dr. Christopher Pole has filled Reynold’s seat, leaving the practice in what Reynolds calls “great hands.” “He's picking up the reins from me and doing a great job,” Reynolds said.
“I feel really comfortable. I feel like I'm leaving the patients in great hands and the staff is good.”.
