VisionAmerica - Mobile, AL
Wade Faulkner, MD
Alan Franklin, MD, PhD
James W. Marbourg, OD
Paul M. Taupeka, MD
Wade Faulkner
Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgeon
wfaulkner@eyehealthpartners.com
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. In addition, he has extensive experience providing advanced treatment for glaucoma, such as viscocalalostomy.
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. Faulkner is the Mobile LASIK surgeon and takes pride in helping his patients reduce or eliminate their dependency on glasses and contact lenses.
Alan Franklin, MD, PhD
Vitreoretinal Specialist
Dr. Alan Franklin completed his undergraduate work at Northwestern University, and then obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo. After this Dr. Franklin studied at Vanderbilt University and completed a PhD degree in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics.
Dr. Franklin trained in Ophthalmology at Saint Louis University, School of Medicine at the Anheuser-Busch Eye Institute where he completed his three year residency and earned honors as Chief Resident and Outstanding Resident. Following his Ophthalmology residency, Dr. Franklin completed an internship in Internal Medicine back at Vanderbilt University and then went on to complete his Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics again earning honors from the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation and the Knapp Ophthalmic Foundation.
Dr. Franklin received an award for his research work on anti-vascular agent as a candidate to treat retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at the 1999 Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology. He has also served as principle investigator in a number of diabetic retinopathy and AMD trials. His work has been presented at multiple international meetings as well as being published in multiple manuscripts. He is a founding member and chief medical officer of RFE Pharma and has served on advisory boards for many major ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Alcon, Eyetech, Pfizer, and QLT.
Dr. Franklin is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, the Vitreous Society, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Phi Delta Epsilon.
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.
Paul M. Taupeka, M.D.
Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgeon, Strabismologist, and Neuro-ophthalmologist
ptaupeka@eyehealthpartners.com
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, Oculoplastic 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 surgery specialist 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.