Toshio Nakajima, O.D.

Dr. Nakajima received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Indiana University School of Optometry in 1987. A native of Japan, Dr. Nakajima also completed an optometry and ophthalmic optics program in Japan prior to optometry school in the United States.

After graduation from Indiana, Dr. Nakajima returned to Japan to teach clinical optometry and optics. After one year, he returned to practice full-scope optometry in the United States. He and Dr. Penner opened Elgin Family Eye Care in 1989. For over 20 years, he has been seeing patients and managing the day-to-day operations of the practice.

Dr. Nakajima is a 25-year member of the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association and is involved in Sight for Students. In his free time, Dr. Nakajima enjoys spending time with his children as well as martial arts, tennis and jogging.

Susan M. Penner, O.D.

Dr. Penner graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry in 1987, and has been in private practice for over 20 years. She and Dr. Nakajima opened Elgin Family Eye Care in 1989 after opening her office in Mt. Morris, IL, in 1987. Her third office, in Byron, IL, was established in 2007.

The owner of Elgin Family Eye Care, Dr. Penner is intimately involved in the day-to-day business operations of the practice, but sees patients in the Elgin office by appointment only. She sees patients on a daily basis at EyeCare Dimensions in Byron, IL.  For more information about that office, please visit eyecaredimensions.com.

Michael G. Kennedy, O.D.

Dr. Kennedy did his undergraduate work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology. He then received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he graduated with Beta Sigma Kappa honors.

During his graduate training, he served as a class representative and Executive President of Student Council, and had the honor of being named to the Gold Key Optometric honor society. At Ohio State, he was named Student Leader of the Year, Junior of the Year, and Senior of the Year. At his graduation commencement, he had the honor of receiving the Lyle A. Gassmann Memorial Award.

Prior to joining Elgin Family Eye Care, Dr. Kennedy gained invaluable experience working for years as an optometric technician in Naperville, IL and during optometry school in Columbus, OH. Dr. Kennedy is an active member of both the American Optometric Association and Illinois Optometric Association. He is an alumnus of the Epsilon Psi Epsilon optometric fraternity.

Dr. Kennedy enjoys spending time with his wife, Kristen, and dog, Tessie. He also enjoys working out, golf, bowling, hockey, baseball, and skiing.

Caring Staff

Our staff is thoroughly trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of the optical field.

Back Row (left to right): Doug Kern, Brenda Culpepper, Kim Peek, Cassy Morphew

Front Row (left to right): Elba Guzman, Amanda Keaty, Lindsey Wilkening, Natalia Quintanilla