As a South Dakota native, Dr. Alison R. Tendler attended medical school at the University of South Dakota where she graduated with honors in medical physiology. She continued her training, pursuing a three-year ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota.

From there, she took on a rigorous corneal and anterior fellowship with Dr. Michael Belin of the Cornea Consultants of Albany at Albany Medical College in New York. Dr. Belin was instrumental in the development of laser vision correction and served as a core investigator for the VISX laser.

Dr. Tendler was a partner at Vance Thompson Vision for 13 years before pursuing her own artistic vision of helping people “See the World Better and See Themselves Better”. This extensive experience has led her to become highly skilled in the surgical management of cataracts, refractive surgery, eyelid procedures, and aesthetics.

She served as the television advertising spokeswoman for Restasis®, one of the first medications used to treat ocular surface disease or dry eye. Having used the medication herself and with her patients, she was proud to have represented the brand for over 8 years.

Other activities and organizations she feels honored to help represent are: board membership at Dakota Wesleyan University; Associate Professor for Sanford School of Medicine; SME (Sales and Marketing Executives), The City Blossom, and the Sioux Falls Chamber.

In her spare time, she loves to travel. After her first international trip to India for a 3-month service-learning project while in college, she developed a love for the hobby that has stuck with her through her years of medical school, residency, and practice.

In addition to traveling, Alison and her husband, Paul, enjoy many outdoor activities with each other and their daughter, including long walks, cycling, hiking, and time at the lake. Her goal is to continue to tackle one bucket list location at a time, recently crossing off Patagonia, Egypt, and Ireland.