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. 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.

The Koehlers are proud Baylor Bears and return each year to cheer on their team! They also love attending UH games, especially now that they've joined the Big 12!

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!

Diagnostic Testing

Erica is moved from Dallas to Houston, and joined our team in 2024! Erica will guide you through all of the diagnostic testing before seeing our doctors. She always brings hersmile to the the office, and she's just so friendly! 

Erica loves to spend time with her family just hanging out. She loves working with our patients, and she truly cares about the health of their eyes!

Diagnostic Testing

Scarlette is a graduate of Santa Fe High School c/o 2025 and is attending College of the Mainland pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. You'll meet Scarlette as she guides you through all the diagnostic testing ordered by our docs. She loves the outdoors, and spends most of her free time with her two dogs and lots of goats and chickens! She also has the cutest miniature highland bull!

Insurance Specialist

Introducing Victoria, our newest insurance coordinator! She has been a long time patient of Signature Eye Center- since childhood! She loves people, sushi and volunteering her time for others. She keeps herself busy with a million different hobbies, mostly art, writing & film. Victoria can't wait to meet you all and give a helping hand!