Meet Our Doctors

T.J. Clinch, M.D., joined Kearney Eye Institute in 2002. Dr. Clinch graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He completed his internship at the Naval Medical Center in Virginia and did his ophthalmology residency at Ohio State University where he served as Chief Resident. While in the U.S. Navy he completed specialty training in undersea and hyperbaric medicine in addition to diving medicine. Dr. Clinch is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the Nebraska Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Clinch has three sons, three daughters, and two grandchildren.

Elyse Bower, O. D. joined Kearney Eye Institute in 2020. She is a Nebraska native and completed her undergraduate studies at Concordia University in Seward, NE with studies in Biology and Chemistry. She received her Doctorate of Optometry from Kentucky College of Optometry in Pikeville, KY. Dr. Bower played collegiate tennis at Concordia University and still enjoys an active lifestyle with her family and friends.

Currently practicing four days a week at Lexington Family Eyecare, Chandler Flynn, O.D. joined Kearney Eye Institute in 2024 on Wednesday each week. He is a native of central Nebraska and completed his undergraduate studies at Doane University in Crete, NE while competing in collegiate track and cross country. He received his Doctorate of Optometry with academic distinction from Pacific University in Oregon. Dr. Flynn enjoys traveling with his wife McKenzie, especially to the mountains to go hiking and camping. He is excited to be back serving the people of central Nebraska!

Dr. Krista Tonniges originally joined Kearney Eye Institute in 2017 and is rejoining part-time again after being in western part of Nebraska. Dr. Tonniges has practiced optometry for 15 years in North Platte, Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings and York. She achieved her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska - Kearney in 2006 then graduated with honors from University Of Missouri St Louis - School Of Optometry in 2009. She and her husband Drew live in Gothenburg and have 2 sons, Ryun and Corbyn. She is excited to be back in Kearney where she grew up.

Frank E. Williams, O.D. has been practicing optometry in Nebraska over the past 18 years. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wyoming in math and computer science . He received his Doctorate in Optometry with honors from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1999. After one year of practice in Ord, Nebraska, he relocated to McCook, Nebraska where he has been seeing patients for the last 17 years. He has been very active in the McCook community, serving on multiple school and health advisory boards. Most recently, he served as President of the Board of Directors for the YMCA. He and his wife Beverly have 3 children, a daughter, Socorro, and 2 sons, Frank and Taylor who are both attending college.

Donald P. Sauberan, M.D., of Eye Surgical Associates in Lincoln holds a monthly clinic at the Kearney Eye Institute in Kearney. Specializing in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus, Dr. Sauberan is board certified and a member of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed his Ophthalmology Residency in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Sauberan then served as general ophthalmologist at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, NE, and also served in the United States Air Force as a General Medical Officer at Davis-Monthan AFB n Tucson, AZ. He then completed his Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship at Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics in Kansas City, MO. In 2009, Dr. Sauberan was selected to the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG). Dr. Sauberan is the only pediatric ophthalmologist in Nebraska to be selected for this program. The Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) is a collaborative network dedicated to facilitating multicenter clinical research in strabismus, amblyopia and other eye disorders that affect children. Dr. Sauberan strives to achieve compassionate, quality care through a strong interaction with parents. He believes that the challenges of pediatric ophthalmology involve not only treating the patient, but ensuring that the parents are on-board as well. Time spent with them answering questions and explaining things can often mean the difference between success and failure.