Our optometrist, Dr. Steve Jacobs, has been caring for the eyes of Blacksburg since 1990. He graduated first in his class in Optometry school in 1986 and is trained in the most up to date advancements in eye care. He is committed to providing all patients the highest quality treatment and service.
Read on to learn more about this great Blacksburg optometrist:
Dr. Jennifer Steckenrider is originally from Peru, Indiana, and received her undergraduate degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine from Taylor University in 2015. While an undergraduate she spent a semester abroad, completing a medical practicum in Cuenca, Ecuador. It was there that she first discovered her love for optometry after seeing the vast need for vision care worldwide and the difference an eye exam can make in a person’s life. She returned for her next semester with a new sense of direction, and soon after also met the love of her life, her husband Josiah.
After finishing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Steckenrider went on to complete her Doctorate in Optometry at Indiana University School of Optometry, where she received numerous awards for academic excellence, service, and leadership. These include: the EF Wildermuth Foundation Harriet Slaughter Fellowship, the Charles R. Shick Scholarship, the Alcon Award, the Jane Hofstetter Fellowship, the Paul Piesch Scholarship, and the Ron Wuensch Scholarship. Dr. Steckenrider was also involved in the school’s community. She worked as an assistant instructor and tutor for a variety of optometry classes, and was a member of multiple organizations, including the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society, the Indiana University Optometric Student Association, and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists. Dr. Steckenrider graduated number one in her class with highest honors in May 2019.
Dr. Steckenrider’s externships included a six-month rotation in ocular disease at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, where she was exposed to a high patient volume and extensive range of pathology. At her IU externship site in Indiana, she worked exclusively in specialty services, including pediatrics and binocular vision, low vision, advanced contact lenses, and advanced ocular care services. She then spent her final rotation working at a private practice in Burke, VA, where she saw a high volume of contact lens patients. After a year of these clinical externships, Dr. Steckenrider realized her passion lay in two areas where there is great need and potential to help – both ocular disease and contact lenses.
In addition to optometry, Dr. Steckenrider enjoys painting, golfing, going on bike rides, and spending time with family. She and her husband volunteer in the community and attend Harvest Baptist Church in Blacksburg.
Dr. Steckenrider is driven by the belief that the learning process is never over in the field of medicine. It is therefore her lifelong goal to always keep a humble attitude, while also striving to learn and stay current in order to provide the best possible patient care.
Dr. Steve Jacobs earned his undergraduate degree in Behavioral Biology from Cornell University in 1979. Enjoying the intellectual stimulation (and lack of true responsibility) that further studies offered, he pursued a Master's Degree in Child Development at Michigan State University (1982), where he met his bright and lovely bride to be. Realizing he couldn't dodge gainful employment forever, he followed his father's (the owner of a small dress store in Brooklyn) sage suggestion and pursued optometry as a career - a pleasant melding of science, working with people, and being one's own boss.
Dr. Jacobs graduated number one in his class from SUNY College of Optometry in 1986 and remained for an additional year to complete a Fellowship in Learning Disabilities.
Fortuitous circumstances and lack of tethers to any particular area landed the Jacobs family in the unknown, but quickly appreciated, wonderful land of Blacksburg in 1988. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Dr. Jacobs is a long time member of the American and Virginia Optometric Associations, and is a Fellow of the Virginia Academy of Optometry.
He looks forward to time with his family, and enjoys travel, photography and sports. He is a member of the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center, the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions club, and is involved with a variety of local civic and non-profit organizations, including NRV Cares, the Community Foundation of the NRV, and the Blacksburg Partnership.
