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—a leadership honor given to 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 in primary eye care/ocular disease at the Dorn Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Columbia, SC. During her residency, she received specialized training in treatment and management of ocular disease as well as in 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 in the Academy by completing case reports and scientific publications for peer review. In November of 2020, she was named the Indiana Young Optometrist of the Month by the Young Optometrist’s Leadership Organization through the Indiana Optometric Association. Her special interests include low vision rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury evaluations, and glaucoma management.
In the off chance she has free time from her optometric pursuits, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and her pug puppy Percy. She also enjoys cooking, playing piano, running, planning her next vacation, and a good cup of coffee.