Started by John E. Gilmore, M.D., an internationally renowned innovator of Ophthalmology, the Santa Monica Eye Medical Group has been providing medical and surgical eye care since 1948. Dr. Gilmore was joined by Donald E. Dickerson, M.D., a well established Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, in 1965.

They started the first course in Cataract and Intra-ocular lens surgery, teaching hundreds of Ophthalmologists from around the country and around the world. Dr. Gilmore retired in 1991 as did Dr. Dickerson in December 2007. After Dr. Dickerson's retirement, Dr. Sadiqa Stelzner became the successor of the practice in January 2008.

Dr. Stelzner joined the Santa Monica Eye Medical Group in 2004. Dr. Stelzner graduated from UCLA with a degree in Cellular Biology and received her medical school education at Boston University.  Dr. Stelzner is currently the Director of Eye Care at the Greater Los Angeles Veteran’s Hospital, Chief of Ophthalmology at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital, and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine/Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. Dr. Stelzner is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology; a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Medical Association, the California Medical Association and the American Society of Anti-Aging. Dr. Stelzner is a staff surgeon at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Santa Monica Surgery Center and Laser Eye Associates in Beverly Hills. 

Dr. Stelzner continues the tradition of excellence by using cutting edge technology and up-to-date microsurgical procedures. Dr. Stelzner trains Ophthalmologists both locally and internationally. Dr. Stelzner has been recognized in Who's Who and in Consumer Reports as one of America's Best Ophthalmologists.

Dr. Chen graduated Magna Cum Laude with honors in Biology from Columbia University. Dr. Chen obtained her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she graduated with honors in outstanding clinical research in Ophthalmology. Dr. Chen is a board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is a member of the Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the California Association of Ophthalmology, the Los Angeles County Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. She is a staff attending at the Santa Monica –UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital and the Saint John’s Hospital Center. Dr. Chen was recently recognized by the Who’s Who as an outstanding Ophthalmologist.

Dr. Kappel graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in Microbiology. He earned his medical degree from the University of California at Irvine-College of Medicine where he graduated at the top of his class. Throughout his education and training, Dr. Kappel earned numerous honors, awards, and recognition for his scholarship and clinical excellence. Dr. Kappel is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO).  His professional memberships include the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) medical honor society.

Dr. Jay Gross relocated to New York in June 2009 to be closer to his family after serving our clinic for 30 years.

Insurance Plans

We accept most insurance plans, including:

Our office is conveniently located near Santa Monica Boulevard and 20th Street in Santa Monica. There is free, ground-level parking with easy access to several bus lines. (We offer extended business hours and Saturday hours).

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