Our Team in Winnipeg

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Dr. Dillon began her University career at the University of Winnipeg in 1999, where she completed her undergraduate requirements as a student of highest distinction. She graduated on the Dean’s Honour list from the Doctor of Optometry program at the University of Waterloo in 2006.

After completing her optometry studies in Waterloo, Ontario, Dr. Dillon was excited to return to Winnipeg where she joined Village Optical in 2006. She enjoys being able to provide comprehensive care for the entire family in a friendly environment. Dr. Dillon is known for providing thorough, compassionate care in a fun and relaxing environment, especially for her youngest patients. She looks forward to continuing to build relationships with current patients and meeting new patients.

Dr. Dillon has a keen interest in performing dry eye assessments and offering advanced dry eye therapies, products, and procedures. Being a dry eye sufferer herself, Dr. Dillon understands the frustrations of her patients and would love to help develop a personalized treatment plan for any patient.

Dr. Dillon was President of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists from 2018-2020. She was an elected member of Council from 2012-2021. She still maintains an active role in the Association, chairing committees and advocating for better vision care for all Manitobans. Dr. Dillon also volunteers her time providing eye care at Siloam Mission to those in need.

When she is not busy sharing her passion for eye care, she enjoys keeping active with her husband (a fellow optometrist) and two boys. Dr. Dillon also likes to play hockey and run half marathons. Keep an eye out for her in the community jogging with her dog, Barkley!

Dr. Livingstone was born and raised in Winnipeg. He began in the optical industry in 1986, working on the front lines of customer service in optical stores. His experience working as an optician included optical dispensing in optical boutiques, corporate chains, department stores, individually owned dispensaries, and finishing lab work. His work as an ophthalmic dispenser took him from Manitoba to BC, Ontario, and even Sydney, Australia.

In the mid-nineties, he returned to university and graduated with his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 2002. After working as an associate optometrist, he started Eye Prism Optical in 2005. In 2013, he partnered with Village Optical and has been a proud member of our amazing team ever since.

Dr. Livingstone has been a member of the St. Vital Rotary Club since 2006 and began his second term as club president in 2019. Lately, Dr. Livingstone has taken up the hobby of learning to fly gliders and is working towards his ultra-light aircraft pilot’s license.

Dr. Livingstone enjoys doing primary care optometry for patients aged 6 months to 100 years.

Dr. Loewen was born and raised in Winnipeg. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.Sc. with Distinction in 2006. During her studies, she was involved in molecular biology research in the Department of Microbiology, and her education continued at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry.

Dr. Loewen completed an internship in Mobile, Alabama, with an emphasis on oculoplastics, neuro-ophthalmology, pre- and post-operative cataract management, glaucoma, and diseases of the retina and vitreous. She graduated from the University of Waterloo with her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2010 on the Dean’s Honours List.

Following her studies, Dr. Loewen returned to Winnipeg and joined Village Optical in 2010. She enjoys providing primary care optometry, with a special interest in pediatrics and diabetic eye care.

Dr. Loewen is the former Chair of the Children’s Vision Committee of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists. Additionally, she was a co-author of the Canadian Association of Optometrists 2017 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Optometric Care of the Patient with Diabetes.

Dr. Loewen is interested in providing eye care to those in need, which has taken her to communities in Mexico, Guatemala, and Jamaica on vision missions. Additionally, she volunteers her time at Siloam Mission, providing eye exams to Winnipeg’s less fortunate. She was named Optometrist of the Year in 2018 by the Manitoba Association of Optometrists.

Outside of eye care, Dr. Loewen enjoys staying active, reading, and travelling. A former rower, she previously served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Winnipeg Rowing Club. She is always happy to discuss travel adventures with her patients!

Dr. van Dijk graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2016 with his Doctor of Optometry degree on the Dean’s Honours List and was voted Valedictorian by his peers. Prior to that, he completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba and received the Governor General’s Silver Medal upon graduation.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Dr. van Dijk looks forward to meeting new patients and catching up with old ones. He enjoys incorporating the latest vision care technologies into a personalized care and treatment plan. He particularly values the importance of patient education, taking the time to thoroughly explain diagnoses and ensure patients are empowered to make informed decisions regarding their ocular health. Dr. van Dijk also enjoys fitting ortho-keratology and scleral lenses, and finds this part of his practice particularly rewarding when a patient is able to achieve better vision than what they could with glasses or standard contact lenses.

Dr. van Dijk is on several committees with the Manitoba Association of Optometrists. He is the Co-Chair of the Northern and Remote Optometry Committee, as well as a member of the Public Relations Committee (former Co-Chair) and the Government Relations Committee. He enjoys the opportunity to educate Manitobans about the importance of ocular health and its close relationship to overall health and well-being.

In his spare time, Dr. van Dijk enjoys running, reading, golf, Formula 1, and spending time at the lake. His greatest joy is spending time with his wife, Haley, and their two young children.

Dr. Berg graduated Cum Laude from the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO). She was a member of the Tomb and Key Honors Society, Beta Sigma Kappa Honors Fraternity, and was awarded both clinical and academic Dean’s List honours.

During her studies at ICO, Dr. Berg was trained in all aspects of optometry, from pediatrics and contact lenses at the University of Kentucky to primary care and ocular disease at the VA hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to her optometric studies, Dr. Berg received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Born and raised in Chicago, Dr. Berg is new to Winnipeg, where she moved to join her husband—a fellow optometrist. She is looking forward to becoming more familiar with the city and exploring other areas of Canada.

Dr. Berg’s main interests are primary care and managing/treating ocular diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and many others. She is happy to provide care to patients of all ages for any of their visual needs.

In her free time, Dr. Berg enjoys travelling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Van Dyck was born and raised in Winnipeg and completed her undergraduate degree in Science at the University of Manitoba. She graduated with distinction from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon in 2017. During her time in at Pacific, she was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honours Society and AMIGOS Eye Care, a non-profit outreach organization that provides eye care to underserved populations around the world. Dr. Van Dyck had the privilege of serving on one of the AMIGOS trips.

As part of her Optometry degree, Dr. Van Dyck completed 4 externships in the United States including: two primary care clinics – one in Fargo, ND and the other at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland; an ocular disease co-management facility in Virginia; and, a paediatric focused clinic at Pacific University. She returned to Winnipeg in 2017 and is passionate about providing comprehensive and compassionate care to all her patients.

In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, walking her dogs, cooking, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Michelle Georgi graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1983 and has practised in Winnipeg ever since. She and Dr. Murray formed Village Optical in 2001 and have grown a practice that strives to offer complete vision care for the whole family in a caring, friendly, and affordable way.

Dr. Georgi has a particular interest in children’s vision and is on the Children’s Vision Committee of Manitoba. She also sits on the National Children’s Vision Initiative Committee and is a former President of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists.  She was named Manitoba Optometrist of the Year in 2015.

Dr. Georgi is retiring as of the end of 2019. She wanted to share this letter with her patients. She will be missed.

Dear Patients,

I hope this letter finds you well. I’d like to share some new developments at Village Optical.

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from optometry at the end of 2019. I have had the honour and privilege of looking after your vision needs, and I would like to thank all of you for your continued trust and confidence. It has meant a great deal to me that you have made Village Optical your place for optometric care, and I have so enjoyed getting to know all of you! I have always looked forward to each day, catching up on your day-to-day lives, and helping you achieve the best vision you can possibly have. It has been such a pleasure.

My youngest son just transitioned to a new dentist, and he commented on how he missed the comforting feeling of knowing your caregiver is aware of your history and past issues—and of having to build that relationship anew. This is why I am writing today; I would like to assure all of you that your patient charts will stay at Village Optical, and the same wonderful staff will continue to greet you and your family when you arrive!

I would like to introduce the optometrist that is taking over my part of the practice. Dr.Cody van Dijk graduated from the University of Waterloo. He was on the Dean’s honour list and his class Valedictorian. He is a kind, thoughtful practitioner who takes the time to listen to your concerns and carefully explain treatment options. Dr. van Dijk is newly married and speaks English and French. You will be in great hands!

One of the many great things about Village Optical is that we have 6 optometrists providing care. I want to assure you that we can address any issue you may have in a timely way, so that if your optometrist is not available, or if there is an emergency, we will be happy to have another optometrist look after your needs. The newest member of the team will be our associate Dr. Brandon Bzovey, who joined us this August. Dr. Bzovey grew up in Winnipeg and recently graduated from the University of Waterloo. Welcome, Dr. Bzovey! French eye exams are available with Drs. van Dijk, Loewen, and Dillon. Dr. Loewen is the chair of the Children’s Vision Committee of Manitoba. Dr. Tanya Dillon is the President of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists. Dr. Livingstone and Dr. Murray have a special interest in complex contact lens fittings. All practitioners see patients of all ages and provide the full scope of care, including glaucoma treatment, cataract assessment, contact lenses, pediatric care, and the rapidly growing area of myopia prevention/control. The office hours remain the same, and we will continue to offer appointments on Wednesday evenings and most Saturdays.

Once again, thank you for allowing me to provide your vision care over the past 36 years! It has been my absolute pleasure.

Kind regards,

Dr. Michelle Georgi, OD

Dr. Murray grew up in rural Manitoba, and after graduating from the University of Waterloo, practised in Portage la Prairie for 26 years. He joined the team at Village Optical in 2001. He still finds the eye care profession rewarding and particularly enjoys the challenge of specialized contact lens fittings, including those for keratoconus and nightwear orthokeratology.