Your St. Johnsbury Staff

Dr. Shippee has extensive training in ocular disease management including glaucoma, macular degeneration, ocular trauma, and ocular-systemic disease diagnosis and treatment.

Other areas of focus include specialty contact lenses and pediatrics. Dr. Shippee received his B.S. from Jacksonville University, in Jacksonville, Florida and his doctor of optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry, in Memphis, Tennessee with rotations at the Mountain Home Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Dr. Shippee is a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), the New Hampshire Optometric Association (NHOA), the AOA Contact Lens and Low Vision Sections, and is also a member of the Optometric Retina Society. He has volunteered his time at the Hillsborough Clinic in Greneda, West Indies, performing examinations and continues to help with their optical needs. 

Dr. Karena L. Shippee graduated Summa Cum Laude from Jacksonville University and received her doctorate training at Southern College of Optometry. 

Since 2004, Dr. Shippee has provided quality eye health care for all ages at Shippee Family Eye Care, P.C. Her expertise in treating and managing glaucoma, diabetic complications, macular degeneration, trauma, and eye infections has been invaluable to our community. 

Dr. Shippee is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Vermont Optometric Association, and the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of the AOA. She has served as Vice President, President, and is currently Legislative Chair of the Vermont Optometric Association. 

Dr. Shippee resides in Danville with her husband and three children where she enjoys being involved in her children's school and activities. 

Dr. Richard Leven is a graduate of The Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He served in the Indian Health Service in Montana and Public Health Service in Seattle, WA. He has been involved with private practice in St. Johnsbury for over 40 years and specializes in contact lenses and primary eyecare. Dr. Leven is a life member of the Vermont Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association.

Dr. Darjee received his Bachelor of Optometry degree from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, U.K in 2013. After completing his professional qualifications in England, he practiced for two years in a private practice in the City of London with emphasis on primary care and contact lenses. He also served in a London based community hospital specializing in diabetic eye care. Dr. Darjee then went on to obtain his Doctor of Optometry degree at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA. 

He is excited to serve the community in primary and specialized eye-care. Dr. Darjee is a member of the American Optometric Association. During his free time, he has a huge passion for sports and the outdoors including tennis and soccer. He is also a big fan of the New England Patriots and also enjoys watching Formula 1 racing.

Molly King, OD graduated from Marist College with honors in 2013 with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences. She then went on to receive her doctorate from The New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA in 2017. From there, she completed a residency in ocular disease and primary eye care within the VA Boston Healthcare System in Brockton, MA. 

After residency, Dr. King joined the team at the Center for Eye Health in Massachusetts, a large, multi-specialty ophthalmology practice serving communities south of Boston. During her time there, she provided routine and specialty care to the patients of all ages, including pediatric exams, post-operative care, contact lens fittings, and low vision examinations.

Originally from Hampton, New Jersey, Dr. King considers herself an honorary New Englander and is excited to explore her new home of Vermont with her husband and two rescue dogs. 

Dr. Phipps received his B.S. degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Penn State University/Hershey Medical Center, in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Phipps has practiced in St Johnsbury, VT, and Littleton, NH, since 2000. He received his board certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology in 2001 and was recertified in 2011. He has served as secretary, Vice President, and President of the Vermont Ophthalmological Society, and as President of the Medical Staff at Littleton Regional Healthcare. In 2018, Dr. Phipps completed a 21-month Executive MBA program from Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama.

Dr. Phipps is a member of the Vermont Ophthalmological Society, the NewEngland Ophthalmological Society, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A perpetual student, Dr. Phipps enjoys learning about the latest developments in the treatment of eye disease, and over the years has tried to incorporate the safest and most effective of these into his practice.

Originally from Georgia, Dr. Julia Kitchens graduated magna cum laude from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN in 2019. During school she spent her rotations focusing on post-op care and surgical management at John Kenyon Eye Institute in Louisville, KY and dry eye disease and general optometry at Eyesight Ophthalmic Services in Somersworth, NH. After completing school, she spent three years providing eye care in Missouri but always longed to come back to the New England area. Dr. Kitchens and her husband are excited to experience the Northeast Kingdom together with their four dogs.

Dr. Jennifer Boggie is a 2008 graduate of the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA, and has been practicing Optometry for over 15 years. Originally from Raleigh, NC, she earned her B.S. in Pre-Professional Biology from Appalachian State University before moving to Boston, MA to pursue her doctorate in Optometry.

She recently re-located to the Northeast Kingdom, having spent the last 15 years practicing in the greater NYC and greater Boston areas. She enjoys practicing primary care optometry, and has a special interest in the treatment and care of glaucoma. She has extensive experience in refractive care, treating and managing ocular surface disease, treatment and management of glaucoma, and co-management of cataract and refractive surgeries.
 
She enjoys the performing arts and the great outdoors, and is looking forward to exploring the trails and activities the NEK has to offer. We are excited to have Dr. Boggie join our practice and look forward to her enjoyment of the NEK quality of life.