Doctor & Staff
Meet the experienced and friendly doctor and staff who make Central Park Vision Center a proud provider of vision care products and services in Plantation.
Michael Holifield O.D., P.A.
Welcome to Central Park Vision Center, where passion for eye care meets a commitment to community and family. Dr. Holifield has been a trusted optometrist in South Florida since 1998, providing top-quality care with a focus on patient comfort and the latest advancements in the field.
With a wealth of experience spanning from preventive eye health to specialized treatments like corneal reshaping, Dr. Holifield is dedicated to addressing all your eye care needs. His genuine care for his patients extends beyond the exam room, as he actively engages in his community, supporting local charities and youth sports initiatives.
At home in Plantation, Dr. Holifield and his wife, Kathleen, have raised their two children, Brandon and Juliana, alongside their lively household of three dogs, two cats, and a noisy parrot. In his free time, he enjoys hitting the golf course, snowboarding, and cherishing moments with his family.
With Dr. Holifield, you can trust that you’re not just receiving exceptional eye care, but also becoming part of a caring community dedicated to your well-being. Welcome to a practice where expertise, compassion, and family values shine bright.
“I am proud to provide my patients with the best in vision treatment technology, patient comfort, and treatment options. It is my pleasure to address all your eye care questions and concerns.”
-Dr. Mike Holifield
Education
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- Undergraduate: University of Houston – Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology
- Optometric PostGraduate Training: Nova Southeastern College of Optometry – Doctorate of Optometry
- Externships: Braverman Eye Center, Hallandale Beach, FL
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Certification
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- Florida Board Certified Optometric Physician
- Texas Board Certified Optometric Physician
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Professional Associations
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- American Optometric Association (AOA)
- Florida Optometric Association (FOA)
- Broward County Optometric Association (BCOA)
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Continuing Education
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- Co-Management of Laser Surgery, Co-Management of Cataract Surgery: Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
American Diabetes Association ® – Dr Holifield has completed courses focused on diabetes, and supports the partnership between the American Diabetes Association and VSP to raise awareness of the impact of diabetes-related eye diseases. They are committed to connecting vision to the overall health of VSP Vision Care members who are at risk or living with diabetes.
Completed Certification for Cultural Competencey and Humility For Optometry and is an active provider for Outcare: OutcareHealth.org
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Charities
Optometry GivingSight, Madre – Global Women’s Rights, Lions Club International
Diversity, Inclusiveness and Belonging
As an Optometrist, I am committed to promoting perspective patient and employee inclusiveness in my practice, extending a warm and safe environment to the LGBTQ+ and all communities. I take pride in providing exceptional eye care services to members of the transgender community, ensuring their unique needs are met with sensitivity and respect. With extensive experience working with adolescents and adults in the LGBTQ+ community, I strive to foster a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and accepted.
I understand the importance of accessible care, which is why I am reachable after hours to address any urgent eye care concerns. In our office, we embrace diversity and actively denounce any form of racism or exclusivity. All individuals are welcome, and I am dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care while upholding an environment that celebrates our community’s richness and uniqueness.
Our Staff
Our team consists of passionate individuals who are kind, friendly, and caring. Our staff is here to ensure a smooth process throughout your eye exam.
Our team includes experienced and energetic people whose goal is to provide the best eye care possible.
Mallory Restaino – Optical/Lab Coordinator and Eyewear Sales Specialist
With a strong foundation in the optical industry since her teenage years, Mallory brings a wealth of experience to our team. Raised in Plantation, she learned the trade from her father, a seasoned Licensed Optician.
Mallory’s expertise isn’t just limited to optics; she also possesses a keen eye for style. Whether you’re seeking functional frames or a fashion-forward look, Mallory’s got the expertise to help. She’s committed to ensuring every client leaves our office with eyewear that not only meets their needs but also reflects their personal style.
Beyond her professional life, Mallory enjoys outdoor activities and spending quality time with her family. Whether she’s assisting you in selecting the perfect pair of glasses or enjoying her downtime, Mallory’s dedication to exceptional service remains unwavering.
The Fun Stuff
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- Hobbies: Spending time with family, going to the beach and working out
- Bucket list: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
- Theme song: Cowgirls by Morgan Wallen/ ERNEST
- Interesting Fact: Expert disk golf competitor
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Favorites
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- Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- Movie Genre: Action / Comedy
- Dessert: Chocolate Cake
- TV show: Yellowstone, Friends
- Musician: Morgan Wallen
- Restaurant: Cooper’s Hawk
- Eyewear Brand: Tom Ford
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Kathi Nickerson – Billing Supervisor / Staff Liaison
Kathi, a valued member of our team, joined our practice in January of 2023. Coming from a background in the customer service industry, Kathi brings a wealth of experience in connecting with our patients and providing them with exceptional care.
With her comprehensive knowledge of medical and vision insurance plans, Kathi seamlessly manages various responsibilities, including scheduling appointments, handling insurance billing, performing lab duties, and assisting patients in the optical department. Since her arrival, she has integrated seamlessly into our optical family, becoming an indispensable part of our team.
As our Billing Supervisor, Kathi plays a crucial role as the liaison between our office and insurance companies and labs, ensuring smooth communication and efficient operations. Her versatility shines through as she readily offers assistance wherever it’s needed, serving as a valuable source of information and support for our staff.
Kathi’s nurturing personality and dedication to assisting those in need truly make her an asset to our office. We are fortunate to have her as a part of our team, enriching the patient experience and contributing to our collective commitment to excellence.
The Fun Stuff
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- Hobbies: Yoga and DIY projects
- Theme song: You Can’t Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones
- Interesting Fact: Certified Yoga Instructor, Licensed Nail Technician for over 30 years
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Favorites
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- Movie: When Harry Met Sally
- Movie Genre: Rom-Com
- Dessert: Carrot cake
- TV Show: Dexter, Friends
- Musician: Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Restaurant: Cheesecake Factory, J. Alexander’s
- Eyewear Brand: Kate Spade
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Sara Gil – Optometric / Contact Lens Technician and Patient Care Coordinator
Meet Sara, our exceptional Patient Care and Contact Lens Specialist, and the cornerstone of our team. With her expertise in managing schedules and navigating vision and insurance plans, Sara ensures that every patient receives optimal care and maximum benefits.
As our lead scheduler, Sara orchestrates the clinical workflow with finesse, serving as the right hand to the doctor. Her remarkable ability to multitask with speed and precision keeps everything running smoothly. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Sara’s dedication to communication transcends language barriers, enhancing the patient experience.
Currently pursuing a degree in business, Sara embodies a commitment to professional growth and excellence. Her warm and friendly demeanor, coupled with precise instructional techniques, instantly puts first-time contact lens wearers at ease during insertion and removal lessons. Patients often find comfort in Sara’s reassuring smile at the front desk, where her extensive training across multiple departments makes her a valuable resource.
Sara’s unwavering dedication to patient well-being and her relentless pursuit of knowledge make her an indispensable asset to our practice.
The Fun Stuff:
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- Hobbies: Artwork and going to the beach
- Bucket list: Observing the 7 Wonders of the World
- Theme Song: Young Wild and Free by Snoop Dog and Wiz Khalifa
- Interesting Fact: I have a great memory of numbers and can solve a word search in under 3 minutes
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Favorites
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- Movie: Life As We Know It
- Movie Genre: Comedy Action
- Dessert: Flan
- TV Show: Shameless
- Musician: Lauryn Hill
- Restaurant: P.F. Changs
- Eyewear: Prada
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Sabrina Burd – Optometric Tech and Optical Assistant
Sabrina Burd brings experience and a warm demeanor to our team as an Optometric Tech and Optical Assistant. With a solid foundation in customer service and sales, Sabrina’s journey began in sales and customer relations before transitioning into the optical field. It was here that she discovered her passion for the intricacies of optometry and the joy of interacting with patients.
In her role, Sabrina is entrusted with various crucial tasks, including pretesting, scheduling appointments, and aiding in insurance verification processes. Her attention to detail ensures that patients receive thorough and efficient care from the moment they step through our doors. Often the first point of contact for our patients, Sabrina greets them with her happy smile and offers assistance with checking in, setting a welcoming tone for your visit.
Sabrina’s dedication to providing exceptional service, coupled with her genuine enthusiasm for helping others, makes her an invaluable asset to our optical team. We are grateful to have her expertise and positive energy enhancing the patient experience at the front end of our practice.
The Fun Stuff:
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- Hobbies: Shopping, relaxing on the beach
- Bucket list: Traveling to Paris
- Interesting fact: I can say “I like ice cream!” in Hebrew
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Favorites
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- Movie: Moana
- Movie Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookies
- TV Show: Big Brother
- Musician: Taylor Swift
- Restaurant: First Watch
- Eyewear brand: Tiffany, Coach
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Colleen Ramer – Community Liaison
Colleen joined our office in June of 2018. Colleen works with us part-time, as needed and she has extensive work experience in running a business and in providing superior customer service to clients. Colleen is a great addition to our team, where these skills are put to good use, providing our patients with the highest standard of care.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, fishing, and serving as an extremely active member of our community
The Fun Stuff
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- Hobbies: Cooking
- Bucket List: Eat my way through Italy
- Theme Song: Hmmm….don’t think I have one
- Interesting Fact: Has been to all 50 states by the age of 50
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Favorites
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- Movie: Big Fish, Bridesmaids
- Movie Genre: Comedy
- Dessert: Chocolate cake
- TV Show: Any true crime or cooking show
- Musician: Too hard to choose just one
- Restaurant: 545 Banh Mi (Korean BBQ Banh Mi & pork belly bao)
- Eyewear Brand: Ray Ban
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Melissa Hallman – Administrative Assistant / Practice Support
Melissa joined Central Park Vision Center in June of 2013. Melissa served as our office manager for nearly ten years before semi-retiring to spend more time with family and traveling. She is instrumental in running all aspects of our office and in ensuring quality patient care.
Her focus is on providing an exceptional experience to every patient who walks through the door. Melissa’s favorite part of working here is interacting with our patients, many of whom have become like family to us over the years.
Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working out at the gym, and running.
We are lucky to have Melissa agree to continue to help out part-time at our practice.