A Hoosier by birth, Dr. Muessel grew up in Madison, IN. She went on to major in biology at Centre College in Danville, KY, where she was a pianist and played division III varsity basketball. She attended IU School of Optometry and graduated in 2018 with distinction as a member of the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society—an honor given to top graduates who demonstrate outstanding professional and ethical attitude through leadership and service to their profession. She was student president of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity in 2016-2017 and volunteered in medical mission trips to Jamaica.
She completed her residency at the Dorn Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Columbia, SC in 2019. During her residency, she received specialized training in treatment and management of ocular disease as well as low vision evaluations and scleral lens fittings. She is a member of the Indiana Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry. In 2020, she received her Fellowship from the Academy by completing case reports and scientific publications for peer review. She was named Young Optometrist of the Month in November 2020 by the Indiana Young Optometrist’s Leadership Organization. She currently serves as secretary of the local central Indiana chapter of the Indiana Optometric Association. Her special interests include low vision rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury evaluations, and glaucoma management.