VisionAmerica – Gadsden, AL
Ernest L. Bowling, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl.
David Judge, MD
James W. Marbourg, OD
Mamta Somaiya Patel, M.D.
Darrell E. Wolfley, M.D
Ernest L. Bowling, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl.
Center Director of Gadsden
Dr. Ernest L. Bowling is the Center Director at VisionAmerica in Gadsden. He practices consultative optometry and specializes in the diagnosis and management of complex eye diseases as well as the pre- and post-operative care of a variety of surgical procedures.
Dr. Bowling graduated from the University of Alabama School of Optometry and obtained his master's degree in physiological optics. Dr. Bowling’s experience as a collegiate instructor and his extensive clinical experience provide a unique perspective for comprehensive patient care.
Dr. Bowling is a Diplomat in the Primary Care Section of the American Academy of Optometry and serves on the Academy’s Primary Care Committee. A prolific international lecturer and author of more than 50 professional journal publications, he is the Associate Clinical Editor of the journal Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses where he authors the monthly pharmacology column. Dr. Bowling also serves on the editorial board of Optometric Management and Contemporary Optometry journals. He is the past editor of the internet e-journals Comprehensive Optometry and Diagnostic Digest.
In addition to his accomplishments in professional literature, Dr Bowling is a past recipient of the Georgia Optometric Association’s Bernard Kahn Memorial Award for outstanding service to the optometric profession.
David Judge, MD
Anterior Segment Surgeon
Corneal Specialist
djudge@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. David Judge specializes in the treatment of corneal diseases and cataract surgery, with experience in refractive surgery. He is the anterior segment surgeon of our Gadsden center.
Dr. Judge received his medical degree at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon obtaining his degree, he completed an Internal Medicine Internship at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN. Dr. Judge then fulfilled a residency at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, LA and completed a fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City, OK. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, and the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Judge has also held several teaching positions including that of Chief Resident at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, LA. Dr. Judge also served as a consultant for Anterior Segment Ophthalmology at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Ryadh, Saudi Arabia for two years. Additionally, he has authored several articles in medical journals as well as several professional presentations.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Judge is compassionate toward those in need. He is a current member of the Gadsden Lions Club. He has also devoted time overseas as a volunteer physician for Mercy Medical Ships International and Orbis International. Dr. Judge is also an Eye Care America Project Volunteer.
A devoted family man, Dr. Judge is happily married to Cynthia and they have two young children: Cory and Allison.
Dr. Judge treats Gadsden LASIK and Gadsden cataract surgery patients in addition to those in the surrounding area.
James W. Marbourg, O.D.
Regional Vice President - VisionAmerica of Alabama
Executive Vice President - Eye Health Partners, Inc.
Dr. Jim Marbourg is the Executive Vice President for Eye Health Partners and Regional Vice President for VisionAmerica. He serves on the Board of Directors for Eye Health Partners and also practices consultative optometry in each of the centers.
Dr. Marbourg received dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Physiological Optics and his Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Alabama School of Optometry. Before joining VisionAmerica in 1992, Dr. Marbourg enjoyed his own private optometry practice in Birmingham, Alabama. During Dr. Marbourg’s tenure with VisionAmerica, the practice has grown to include centers across Alabama and Tennessee with the goal to provide patients with comprehensive eye care while also serving the optometric community.
Dr. Marbourg maintains his commitment to promoting the optometric profession through his participation in professional organizations including his membership in the Alabama Optometric Association. In addition to serving in multiple capacities in this organization, Dr. Marbourg holds a faculty position at the UAB School of Optometry. His dedication to maximizing education of optometric students opened the door to the externship programs now offered at VisionAmerica and Eye Health Partner centers. These externships provide students from UAB (Alabama), Nova (Florida), and Waterloo (Canada) experience in the treatment and management of a variety of eye conditions.
Mamta Somaiya Patel, M.D.
Medical and Surgical Retina
mpatel@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. Mamta Somaiya Patel is a board eligible ophthalmologist specializing in diagnosis and treatment of retinal and vitreous disease. Her advanced training and surgical skills are particularly recognized in the treatment of macular degeneration, severe eye injuries, and surgery of the macula.
Dr. Patel graduated from Houston Baptist and later received her medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. An outstanding medical student in her class, Dr. Patel went on to complete a residency at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. She later completed retina surgical fellowships with the National Retina Institute and with Retina Consultants of Alabama. After Dr. Patel's fellowship in Birmingham she worked with a private multi-specialty practice in Dothan, AL. With her exceptional academic achievement and medical experience, we are excited to have Dr. Patel on our VisionAmerica team. Since she began practicing with VisionAmerica, she has expanded her coverage to serve the retina needs of her patients in four centers in Alabama: Birmingham, Gadsden, Cullman, and Anniston.
Dr. Patel has published numerous articles and has provided several professional presentations. Additionally, she has participated in the training of other vitreoretinal physicians. Having not only contributed in these professional endeavors but also in the care of her patients, Dr. Patel has made a significant impact within the medical community.
Dr. Patel is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, and Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital Retina Club. She provides treatment for a variety of conditions, including helping Gadsden retina disease patients with their eye care needs.
Darrell E. Wolfley, M.D.
Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon
dwolfley@eyehealthpartners.com
Darrell E. Wolfley, M.D. is an ophthalmic plastic surgeon specializing in eyelid surgery and surgical procedures of the orbit, forehead, cheeks and lacrimal drainage system.
A Cum Laude graduate of the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Wolfley then graduated with honors from Northwest University Medical School where he was elected to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. After completing a straight medicine internship with the University of Washington in Seattle, Dr. Wolfley then completed ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. After completion of his tour of duty in the U.S. Army, Dr. Wolfley then did a fellowship in ophthalmic plastics and reconstructive surgery at New York Medical College in New York, NY.
Prior to joining VisionAmerica, Dr. Wolfley was Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Fellow in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery. He is one of only twenty ophthalmologists in the United States certified by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastics Surgery to train younger ophthalmologists in the field of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive surgery. He is recognized nationally and internationally as an outstanding surgeon and a gifted teacher. He has been visiting professor and guest lecturer in more than thirty different Universities and ten different countries. Dr. Wolfley performs a variety of oculoplastics procedures at numerous locations for Eye Health Partners, including in Gadsden.