Steven J. Garza, O.D., received his Doctor of Optometry Degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2004, but his involvement in the eye care field extends to his childhood. More than two decades ago, at age 16 he worked in his father’s four Garza Optical shops in South Carolina.

After high school graduation, he served his country in the United States Navy from 1986-1990. While on the USS Hewitt DD-966 near San Diego, California, he served as a hospital corpsman - scheduling patients at Balboa Navy Hospital, giving inoculations, drawing blood samples, providing first aid and dispensing medications. His military service was honored with the Battle Excellence Award, Good Conduct Award and Letters of Commendation for Outstanding Hospital Corpsman and Most Athletic of Company.

Upon his Honorable Discharge, he returned to South Carolina and obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Carolina in 1994. Academically, he made the Dean’s List all four years of college.

Throughout college and through 1996, he also was manager of Garza Optical. In that capacity, he was entrusted with frame and contact lens purchasing and patient scheduling.

Dr. Garza’s interest in optometry was further piqued when he came to Houston in 1996 to participate in the Texas Optometric Career Opportunities Program. This summer program exposed him to the life of a first-year optometry student. He performed vision screenings and studied vision-related courses.

Before entering the University of Houston College of Optometry, he managed the Better Vision Center, Memorial Eye Center, Westchase Vision Center, Memorial Eye Houston. Once officially an optometry student in 2000, he continued to work as well - serving as an optometric technician at the same clinics.

For three years (2002, 2003, 2004), he received the Clinical Excellence Award from the University of Houston College of Optometry.

Dr. Garza has been certified by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) as a VISX CustomVue TM Laser Technician.

Dr. Garza and his wife, Veronica, have one daughter Victoria -- and three dogs and a cat that sometimes act like they are children. When not caring for his family (or working), he enjoys tennis, golf, basketball, snow skiing, roller blading, working out, running and softball.

Ironically, Dr. Garza is the second member of his family to be a part of the Whitsett Vision Center. His brother Ken served as Dr. Whitsett’s staff optometrist in the early part of this decade before moving to Dallas.