Professional Experience
Dr. Kristina Offerle provides primary eye care for patients of all ages, including eye examinations, contact lens fittings, ocular health diagnosis and treatment, and optical services. Dr. Offerle has a passion for serving patients who have limited visual potential. She finds it professionally rewarding to provide low vision patients with tools to enhance their remaining sight. A graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry, she completed several clinical rotations including at the school's clinics in Bloomington and Indianapolis, Eye Surgeons of Indiana in Indi and at the VA Clinic of Northern Indiana. Although she is the newest member of our professional team, she has a long history of serving the patients of Eye Care Associates of Michiana in the capacity of clinical technician, receptionist, and optician. Her early exposure to the personal satisfaction of providing high quality optometric care and enhancing vision – which included shadowing her father Dr. John Offerle – influenced her change in career plans from orthopedic medicine to optometry.
Volunteerism
Dr. Offerle volunteers her professional time, along with her partners, to provide free vision screenings to area schools. She is a member of VOSH (volunteer optometric service to humanity). She traveled with her father, Dr. John Offerle, on a VOSH mission trip to Honduras where they provided free eye care to patients who would not otherwise have access to quality eye care. She has also volunteered her time through the Indiana Optometric Association's "See to Read" program at the St. Joseph County Public Library.
Education
Dr. Kristina Offerle received her Bachelor of Science from Indiana University in 2008, and her Doctor of Optometry from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2010. As an optometric student, Dr. Offerle served as Assistant Instructor for Ophthalmic Optics and was accepted as a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Fraternity. Her commitment to progressive eye care is demonstrated by her regular attendance at continuing education seminars and conferences.
Associations/Memberships
Dr. Offerle is a member of the Indiana Optometric Association, and Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH). As her practice grows, she looks forward to continuing the tradition of the doctors of Eye Care Associates of Michiana through active participation and leadership roles in the optometric profession.
Personal
Dr. Kristina Offerle was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. She graduated from Marian High School in Mishawaka, where she met her husband, Chris Nowak. Chris attended Ball State University and is a teacher with the South Bend-Fort Wayne Diocese. They reside in South Bend, Indiana with their 3 children, Izzy, Eli and Addie. As a family, they take any chance they can to be by the water. They often spending time boating, swimming or taking walks around the lakes at Notre Dame.