Our Team

Optometrist

Dr. Laura Vrazel Koehler was born and raised in Danbury, Texas, and is part of a LARGE traditional Czech family. She graduated Salutatorian from Danbury High School where she was involved in everything from cheerleading and track, to marketing DECA competitions, to showing animals at the Brazoria County Fair.

Dr. Koehler earned a full scholarship to Baylor University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was the top student in her Economics major. While at Baylor, she met her now husband, Justin, who earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Justin cares for children in the burn ICU at  Shriners Children's Texas Hospital in Galveston.

Dr. Laura Vrazel Koehler was born and raised in Danbury, Texas, and is part of a LARGE traditional Czech family. She graduated Salutatorian from Danbury High School where she was involved in everything from cheerleading and track, to marketing DECA competitions, to showing animals at the Brazoria County Fair.

Dr. Koehler earned a full scholarship to Baylor University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was the top student in her Economics major. While at Baylor, she met her now husband, Justin, who earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Justin cares for children in the burn ICU at  Shriners Children's Texas Hospital in Galveston.

Dr. Koehler graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Houston College of Optometry. During her internship with Eye Center of Texas, she trained under highly skilled ocular surgeons. She manages LASIK, cataract surgery, macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and any other concerns her patients may have.

The Koehlers proudly welcomed their daughter, Maddox in 2012, and their son, Briles in 2015. They also have 2 kitties, Rocco & Murfee, and 3 guineas pigs, Nibbles, Mitten & Marbles.

Dr. Koehler and her family reside in Dickinson, Justin’s hometown, and enjoy traveling with friends. Some of their travels include Sydney Australia, Vegas (with the whole Signature Eye Center crew!), Rome, and historical tours of Boston and Philadelphia. They love weekends on the Galveston beaches! The Koehlers are proud Baylor Bears and return each year to cheer on their team. They attend St. Anthony’s in Danbury and Clear Creek Community Church, as they strive to live a Christian lifestyle, and know that it’s all for Him.

Optometrist

We welcomed Dr. Gawelek to Signature Eye Center in 2020 after she had been in practice since 2009 in several different states. She was born and raised in a small rural town in northwest Oklahoma where her family settled in 1909.  She participated in show choir, golf and cheerleading.  After high school, she went on to Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Biology degree, where was very active with the OSU Cowboys football program.

Dr. Gawelek graduated from Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Oklahoma where she served as class president and on the executive council.  She completed her externship in Primary Care and after graduation, Dr. Gawelek decided to further her education and completed a residency in Ocular Disease. Throughout her experience, Dr. Gawelek has practiced everything from contacts and eyeglasses to co-managing cataract surgery, LASIK, dry eyes and the common “red eye”.

While practicing in Oklahoma City, Dr. Gawelek met her now husband, Ken, who was the Regional Director for Dollar tree in the Oklahoma area at the time.  When Ken got transferred to the Houston area, they decided to settle in League City. Ken is now the Regional Director for Dollar Tree for the Houston/San Antonio/Corpus Christi/Harlingen areas.  He has worked for Dollar Tree since 2004.

In 2019, Ken’s teenage daughter, Emily, became a big sister, and Dr. Gawelek welcomed her first daughter, Molly!  This bundle of joy completed their family of four along with their pound puppy, Annie, and rescue kitty, Walter.  The Gaweleks love anything to do with water, especially spending time on the boat at Kemah and Galveston Bay as well as going to the beach, country concerts and live sporting events– especially football!

Office Manager, Lead Optician

Our Office Manager Brenda joined our team in 2012 and it’s like she’s been with us from day one! With over 30 years of patient care and optical expertise, she’s right at home with our little family. Brenda earned her degree in Opticianry Dispensing Technology in Tampa, Florida, and furthers her skill training through continuing education classes. We love Brenda’s organization and management techniques. Our patients love her sweet personality and detailed attention to their eyewear needs. She’s always on top of the best custom lens designs and loves teaching you about the technology behind it!
 
Brenda enjoys being outside, especially at the beach. She loves working out and spending time with her children, her granddaughter, and her puppy, Evie.

Assistant Manager, Optician, Contact Lens Specialist

Catherine has her hands in everything! When she first joined us in 2016, she specialized in our contact lens services, but has grown into the role of Assistant Manager and can do anything in the office! Catherine will guide you through the Signature Eye Center experience and make it fun! Not so secretly, she and her husband are proud pirates, and love everything Ren Fest! They have 4 sons, as well as dogs to keep them busy! Catherine enjoys crocheting and collecting fun pens!

Front Desk

Kimi was born and raised in Indiana where she was quite the young athlete! She has worked in optical since 1990 and she’ll greet you with the warmest welcome when you arrive! She joined our Signature team in 2019.

She and her husband Chris love their dogs (their babies)- Charlie, Lady and Izzy. You’ll find them boating on the weekends, and they love world travel! Kimi has been to Rome five times!

Insurance Specialist

Paige joined the Signature Family in 2020 after graduating from Remington College with an Associates Degree in Health Information Technology. She is one of our insurance specialists, and is always working hard for you to gather the most accurate insurance benefits. Paige was born and raised in Texas, and comes from a huge family! She’s the oldest of five siblings, and an aunt to 7 wonderful nieces and nephews. She loves baking desserts, reading a good book and going to the movies!

Optician, Front Desk

Karysa was actually a patient of ours for several years before joining our Signature Family! You’ll meet Karysa at the front desk to help you check in, and while choosing your eyewear. She is so bright and cheery, and we just love her! She enjoys horror movies, baking, going to concerts, and spoiling her cat Wednesday. Karysa attended the University of Texas at Dallas where she majored in communications. She hopes to continue to learn and grow in the optical field!

Insurance Specialist

Dana has been a long-time friend and patient and we’re thrilled to have her join our Signature Family! She’s trained in several areas of the medical field including emergency medical services, nursing, and ophthalmics. You’ll see her buzzing all over the office lending a helping hand in every aspect of our clinic! Outside of the office, she’s a busy wife and mother to four girls who keep her on her toes! She’s an avid reader, and her girls follow suit!  Dana loves to crochet blankets that she donates to various church fundraisers and benefits. She’s planning to create more blankets for donations to local childrens’ hospitals.
 

Diagnostic Testing

Christian is a graduate of Dickinson High School, Class of 2022. He joined our team summer 2021, and he’s just so sweet! You’ll meet Christian during the diagnostic testing (peripheral vision, photos etc.) He’s quiet, but mention anything about sports, and he’s game! Christian is a sports fanatic and is considering majoring in communications with the goal of becoming a sports analyst. He enjoys a good game of family baseball, playing basketball, and watching ESPN to keep up with the sports world.  He is the oldest of three children and enjoys spending time with his family. He comes from a family of strong values and has been taught to respect everyone he crosses paths with.

Diagnostic Testing

Austin is a dedicated senior at Dickinson High School, Class of 2024, with a passion for football and a relentless drive to succeed. He honed his skills on the high school football field, and is carving a path toward his dream of playing collegiate football. As a senior, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence in his studies, maintaining a balance between sports, academics, and working at Signature Eye Center. His goal is not only to thrive on the field but to also excel in the classroom, preparing himself for a promising future.

Optician

Katie joined the Signature Eye Center team in early 2011. She and Dr. Koehler actually worked together in another clinic that Dr. K was an intern for in 2007, and Dr. K was so happy to have Katie join the team! In 2023, Katie and her husband Dexter started their company Event 360, a photography company specializing in photos and videos for events! But don't worry, you'll still see her friendly face from time to time when we may need her!