Wade Faulkner, M.D., a native of Bay Minette, AL, began his undergraduate work at Auburn University before transferring to the University of Alabama. He completed his undergraduate studies in 3 years and went on to obtain his medical degree at the University of Alabama Medical School. Dr. Faulkner trained in Ophthalmology at Washington University in St. Louis, completing a three year residency at Barnes Hospital.

Following his residency, Dr. Faulkner volunteered with the Indian Health Service on the Navajo, Hopi and Apache Indian Reservations in Arizona. There for two years he studied under Phillips Thygeson, M.D., a world renowned corneal and external disease specialist.

Dr. Faulkner began his private practice with the Mobile Eye Center, now Premier Medical Eye Group, in 1971. He joined VisionAmerica in 2004. Over the past 30 years, he has performed more than 30,000 laser and surgical eye procedures. Dr. Faulkner specializes in cataract and intraocular lens implant surgery and refractive surgery, including Laser Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) using the excimer laser.

Dr. Faulkner is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Eye Surgeons and board certified in LASIK by the American Board of Eye Surgeons. He is a past board member and secretary of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Faulkner's work has been published in more than 45 medical journal articles and book chapters and has been presented at numerous national and international eye meetings.

Dr. Paul M. Taupeka received his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine followed by an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of South Alabama Medical Center. After completing a residency in Ophthalmology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, he served a combined fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmology, Oculo-Plastic Surgery and Pediatric Ophthalmology at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY.

Dr. Taupeka specializes in diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the optic nerve. In addition he is an experienced eyelid surgeon and he uses the latest medical technology to remove lesions from the eyelids and face. He is also skilled at diagnosing and treating eye diseases that affect children.

Dr. Taupeka is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, The Medical Society of Mobile County and the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.

Dr. Derek Cunningham specializes in diagnosis and management of ocular disease. He comes to VisionAmerica from Texas Tech School of Medicine at El Paso where he taught ocular pathology in the division of Ophthalmology. Dr. Cunningham was also the resident education supervisor as well as a member on the school of medicine accreditation board.

Dr. Cunningham received his undergraduate education from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. He then completed his optometric education at the University of Waterloo. He is also a graduate of the Faculty Development Course at Texas Tech University.

Dr. Cunningham is a nationally recognized educator having provided continuing education lectures to other eye doctors throughout the country. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and has been accepted to lecture at the national meeting. In addition to his teaching duties at Texas Tech, Dr. Cunningham also held adjunct professor status at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Cunningham has a special interest in Sports Vision and Performance. He is a board member of the American Optometric Association’s Sports Vision Section. He has worked with professional and NCAA sports teams as well as often attending the American College of Sports Medicine national meeting.

Dr. James W. Marbourg received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Physiological Optics, and in 1977, a Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.

Dr. Marbourg was in private practice in Birmingham as well as on the faculty of the UAB School of Optometry from 1977-1992. He joined the Center in 1992 and also serves as a Regional Vice President for VisionAmerica.