Dr. Dana Blakolmer is a proud member of the Simpcw First Nation in British Columbia. After earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 1995, she opened her own clinic in 2002, where she works alongside her father and son, both opticians.
Dr. Blakolmer founded Indigenous Optometrists of Canada, a group dedicated to improving eye care access in Indigenous communities. Her global commitment to eye health is evident through her volunteer work in Nepal, Peru, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and M'Chigeeng First Nation. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Blakolmer enjoys spending time with her rescue dog and is an avid runner and hiker.