About us | Doctors and Staff

Dr. Sam Baron, O.D.

Dr. Baron is from Butler, PA. He performed his undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University and then completed his professional studies at New England College of Optometry in Boston. During his last year of school he initiated and headed a pilot vision program in Haiti. The team of ten optometrists spent ten days in one of the more remote areas where they examined and prescribed spectacles for 3,500 patients.

Dr. Baron continued his education with a special residency program in visual therapy at the Optometric Center of New York. Following graduation, Dr. Baron began his professional career as a clinical instructor at his alma mater, the New England College of Optometry. Moving to New York City, Dr. Baron was then appointed to the staff of the Optometric Center of New York, the largest eye center in the U.S.A. After practicing in the general optometry, visual training and developmental vision clinics he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Contact Lens Clinic at the Optometry State University of New York. Dr. Baron established his practice in Golden in 1973, to settle in a small college town near the mountains and Denver. He also was selected to be the Director of the Vision Therapy Clinic of the Colorado Optometric Center. Dr. Baron has special interests in contact lenses, children’s vision, and deaf patients. He has authored several articles in professional journals and is in the process of completing his second book.

Dr. Baron has developed several optometric instruments. He is a member of Leadership Golden, Colorado Mountain Club and Golden Chamber of Commerce and has been appointed a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a prestigious scientific group of Optometrists. Dr. Baron has lectured internationally in the visual sciences, on such topics as, visual field studies, computers and vision, infant visual examinations, examining the deaf, interrelationships of professionals, office design, amblyopia (lazy eyes), contact lens designs, preschool vision, vision and learning, and the paperless office. He especially enjoyed a learning and lecture tour of China. Dr. Baron has completed the highest licensure for his profession in Colorado.

Dr. Baron averages 50 hours a year in post graduate education. He spends several of those hours presenting to other Eye Doctors. He has been honored with and accepted the invitation to serve as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry for the University of Indiana College of Optometry. He will be able to fulfill two of his loves by remaining in private practice here in Golden and by serving as a professor with the interns who study here at our clinic. In 2013 Dr. Baron earned certification as a Diplomate of  The American Board of Optometry.  Only 5% of Optometrists have attained this distinction.

Dr. Baron enjoys Colorado’s many mountaineering outdoor activities; skiing, climbing, hiking, and camping.

Dr. Rachel Newland, O.D.

Dr. Rachel Newland is originally from southeast Kansas. She is a third generation optometrist who grew up working at her father and grandfather’s optometric practice and realized her interest in healthcare at a young age. 

Dr. Newland completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, where she graduated magna cum laude. During her time in Optometry school she participated in vision outreach services locally and overseas in the Dominican Republic. 

After completing Optometry school, Dr. Newland pursued a year-long residency in Ocular Disease and Low Vision Rehabilitation from the Kansas City Veterans Administration Hospital. 

In her free time Dr. Newland enjoys spending time with her friends and family and exploring Colorado.

Dr. Kelly Cyr, O.D.

Dr. Cyr grew up in Northern Maine, close to the border of Canada. She attended Saint Joseph’s College of Maine near Sebago Lake where she graduated valedictorian of her class. She then went on to receive her Doctorate of Optometry from the New England College of Optometry in Boston. Following graduation, she pursued her interest in ocular disease through a residency with the VA Boston Healthcare System in West Roxbury, MA.

During a rotation in optometry school, Dr. Cyr had worked with the Indian Health Services in Santa Fe where she was introduced to the Southwest and the many activities the area offered. Following residency, she joined a large group practice and traveled throughout New Mexico practicing primary care optometry and working closely with ophthalmology in the retina clinic and performing post-operative care. She also enjoyed teaching optometry students and residents and helping them fine tune their clinical skills.

She loves to be outdoors every season of the year whether it be backcountry skiing, rock or ice climbing, running, or backpacking. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. Cyr is a member of the American Optometric Association and Colorado Optometric Association, fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and has achieved diplomate status through the American Board of Optometry.

Dr. Rose Shimonova, O.D.

Dr. Shimonova grew up in Aurora and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado at Denver. She received her Doctorate of Optometry from the Arizona College of Optometry in Glendale, Arizona. Dr. Shimonova completed an extensive residency training program at the VA Hospital in Amarillo, Texas, where she studied ocular disease.

She has traveled to Mexico and Belize on mission trips and enjoys involvement in community service events including the Special Olympics. Dr. Shimonova is a member of American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, and Colorado Optometric Association.

Outside of the office, Dr. Shimonova enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.