Meet Our Doctors & Opticians
Richard Ahrens, LDO
Owner and Optician
I hung up my Shingle here in Monroe in 1995 and began Ahrens Valley Eyeworks.
I had been in the Optical field for several years, had my State License to practice, and decided it was time to open my place. I opened in the Spring of 95 bringing all the best experiences from those years in Optics to the Sky Valley communities. Monroe had always intrigued me as to its location. A special place that sat at the base of the Cascades, proximity to all seasonal activities, and which offered a relaxing community of wonderful folks, to which we began.
Dr. Ed Denz
Optometrist
While studying chemistry and biology at San Jose State University I worked part-time as a lab tech at NASA Ames Research Center. (I originally wanted to become a research scientist). However, it was my tutoring students one-on-one that made me realize I belonged working with people rather than test tubes. 4 years after SJSU, I completed a doctor of optometry degree at UC Berkeley followed by a hospital-based optometry residency in Albuquerque.
I returned to California as a clinical instructor to supervise interns in the clinic part-time at UCB and joined Kaiser where I served as a clinician and eventually chief of optometry retiring after 36 years.
My wife and I moved here to Monroe to be near our daughters and 4 grandkids. I really love being an Optometrist and never really planned to completely retire. I met Richard and Bobbi Ahrens and we immediately hit it off. Soon I found myself seeing patients again part-time in this beautiful office here on Main Street. It Reminds me very much of a Norman Rockwell painting.
I spend my spare time with my young grandkids, going to the gym, playing music with friends, and hiking with my wife.
I'm looking forward to seeing some of you at the office soon.
- Ed Denz, OD/ Ahrens Valley Eyeworks
Dr. David Pedigo
Optometrist
Following his service as a medical specialist in the US Army, where he gained unique insights into military healthcare, Dr. Pedigo completed his undergraduate studies at the State University of New York in Syracuse. He then earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Pedigo has undertaken specialized internships in ocular disease, including at Omni Eye Services in Manhattan and the Vicenza Eye Clinic in Italy, focusing on advanced diagnostic and treatment methods.
As the past president of Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity, Dr. Pedigo led multiple missions to the Yucatán, significantly impacting underprivileged communities through free eye care services. His dedication to accessible eye care extended over a decade in Alaska, where he journeyed to remote villages to provide essential services.
Currently, Dr. Pedigo is committed to the vision needs of the community of Monroe, offering a blend of down-to-earth expertise and compassionate care. He is excited to apply his diverse experiences to address your vision and eye health concerns with dedication and personalized attention.
123-456-7890
Gina Mills, LDO
Optician
Gina Mills is a licensed optician and has been in the optical industry for 40 years. She has lived in Monroe for 25 years and joined our team at Ahrens Valley Eyeworks in January, this year. She likes assisting patients in choosing the best eyewear for their lifestyle needs. When not in the office, she spends most of her time with all her grandkids and family. She loves to travel, going to concerts, and making memories.
