Dr. Szymarek has been providing ophthalmology care to the Elkhart community for over 13 years. She was born and raised in Mishawaka and graduated from Penn High School. She then went on to attend the prestigious University of Michigan for both her undergraduate degree and medical school training. After graduating with honors from the University of Michigan Medical School, she returned to the Michiana area to complete her transitional year in Family Practice at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center prior to commencing ophthalmology residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville. After graduation from residency, she elected to complete a glaucoma fellowship at the top ranked Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan, where she remained on faculty for a year prior to relocating back to the Michiana area to be closer to family. Dr. Szymarek enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. She successfully completed the Chicago Marathon in October 2023!
Dr. Tiffany Szymarek
Meet Our Staff
Shawna was born and raised in Indiana. She worked as a medical assistant for 8 years before she became an ophthalmic technician, a role she now has over 25 years of experience in! She has worked with Dr. Szymarek for the past 13 years, as both an ophthalmic technician and surgical coordinator. Shawna enjoys living in a cabin in the middle of the woods with her husband, rescued dog, and stray cat. Her hobbies include knitting and hiking/backpacking with her husband and rescue dog Rocco.
Shawna
Greg Szymarek was also born and raised in the Michiana area. He grew up in North Liberty and graduated from Washington High School in South Bend. He then attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a business degree from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. After graduation, he spent his working days implementing and supporting accounting, manufacturing and warehousing software solutions for companies within Northern Indiana and the surrounding states. In 2007, Dr. Szymarek and Greg moved to Florida for Dr. Szymarek’s residency training. Greg worked with an energy marketer’s high level software architect group to update and revamp a billing system for their natural gas and electricity products. In 2011, after the birth of their first child, Greg became a stay-at-home dad and devoted the next 12 years to his children and family. He is excited to get back into the business world as the business manager of Elkhart Ophthalmology. In his spare time, he enjoys playing a lot of golf, which he still enjoys year round as long as it is not snowing.
Greg
I was born and raised in South Bend. Have worked as a medical customer service, front desk scheduler for 47 years. I enjoy time with my husband of 42 years, and my son, along with our rescued cat and dog. Hobbies include crochet, sewing, reading mystery books, and scrapbooking, and pool time.
Julie
Jode was born and raised in the South Bend area. She is a graduate of St. Joseph High School and Indiana University - South Bend where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Education. She began her teaching career as a substitute teacher at St. Mary of the Assumption before taking a full time position. She taught third grade for twelve years then moved to Holy Cross grade school for eleven more years. After retiring, she returned to substitute teaching at Holy Cross and St. Adalbert’s grade schools.
Jode and her husband, Tom, have been married for over 50 years and are parents to three boys and grandparents to three boys and two girls.
Jode has been with Elkhart Ophthalmology since the beginning. She makes reminder calls and helps wherever needed. She enjoys sewing, quilting, knitting and talking with patients.
Jode
Jacquie was born and raised in Ohio, moving to Indiana after meeting her husband Kenny in College in Michigan. Together, she and Kenny raised three sons, spending many years on bleachers as sports parents. Now, they enjoy being grandparents to 9, and great-grandparents to 6. Jacquie was a stay-at-home mom for many years, entering the workforce as an Ophthalmic technician after her sons were in school. She has been an ophthalmic technician for almost 30 years. In fact, Jacquie has worked with Dr. Szymarek for the past 13 years! Jacquie is creative, and enjoys crafting, interior decorating, jewelry making and gardening. She enjoys cooking and baking, focusing on preparing healthy food for her family. She is a life-long exerciser, doing a short workout in the morning before work and walking whenever the weather allows. The Riders are very active in their church, where Jacquie has been a Bible School teacher for 40 years, currently teaching the Adult Women's Class. She is thankful for the health and energy to be of service to others, including patients, family and friends!
Jacquie
Donna is a skilled ophthalmic technician with over 20 years’ experience. She has been a part of Dr. Szymarek’s team for the past 10 years. Donna is originally from Long Island in New York but has lived in Indiana for 30 years. She is an avid nature enthusiast and enjoys any and all outdoor activities, especially biking, hiking, and kayaking. She also keeps busy with her 2 year old puppy Manny who is a German Short Haired Pointer.