Our Team

Dr. Sara Starko

Optometrist and Owner

Shelley

Frame and Lens Expert

Shelley grew up on a grain farm in Leduc County as one of three sisters. Her love for music began early, performing in the Drillers Marching Band color party, where she waved flags and shook pom-poms, and later played the clarinet in parades. In Grade 8, she joined her older sister in the Leduc Composite High School choir, sparking a lifelong passion for singing. Shelley and her sisters often performed together, and she went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Alberta. Today, she continues to share her love of music as a member of the Leduc Community Choir, the Piatta Forma Singers.

Now living in Leduc with her husband Chris, Shelley enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and going for walks. Her adventures have taken her to 12 countries so far, and she looks forward to visiting more in the future.

Shelley began her career in the eye care industry in 2015 and loves helping customers find and fit the perfect frames. She looks forward to assisting you at Countryside Vision Care!

Karina

Director of First Impressions

Karina grew up in Latvia, a small country in Eastern Europe. She moved to Alberta, Canada, nine years ago and has enjoyed exploring and discovering the unique charm of Alberta’s towns. She currently resides in Leduc County

A lifelong animal lover, Karina spends much of her free time horseback riding and caring for her horse, Amber. She also enjoys staying active, being creative, and immersing herself in nature—often with her camera in hand, capturing the beauty around her.

New to the eye care industry, Karina is excited to learn new skills and looks forward to meeting all of our wonderful clients!

Brenda

Master of Organization

Brenda grew up in the Pigeon Lake area, where she developed a deep love for lake life. Whether kayaking, boating, golfing, snowmobiling, or spending time with her two grandchildren at the lake, she thrives in the outdoors and the community she calls home.

Throughout her career, Brenda has gained extensive experience in various roles across Alberta. She eventually returned to Pigeon Lake, where she owned and operated the ATB in the village. Although she has since retired, her energetic spirit led her to join the team at Countryside Vision Care.

Brenda is currently soaking up the Arizona sun but is still working behind the scenes virtually to serve the community she loves.

Dr. Sara Starko is thrilled to be part of the Calmar community. She chose to establish her clinic in Calmar to work closer with her uncle and aunt, Dr. Grant Davies and Dr. Nhung Tran-Davies.

Originally from a farm near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Dr. Starko attended Catholic schools in Fort Saskatchewan before enrolling at Grant MacEwan University. There, she co-founded the Grant MacEwan Pre-Optometry Club, reflecting her lifelong passion for optometry.

Dr. Starko excelled during her studies at the Illinois College of Optometry, earning numerous awards and accolades. She served as Vice President of the Gold Key Honor Society and President of the Private Practice Club, where she received the prestigious Preston Cup, as voted on by leaders from optometry institutions across the U.S. Her achievements include being named the Leduc Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 “Young Business Leader of the Year” and 2021 “Professional Services Business of the Year,” awards proudly displayed at Countryside Vision Care. Among her personal milestones, Dr. Starko considers completing the Chicago Marathon with her mom one of her proudest moments.

When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Starko enjoys time with her two young children and pursues her love of running, yoga, and playing the saxophone. In the winter, she can often be found snowmobiling with family and friends in the mountains near Sicamous, BC.