Dr. Shoemaker graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 2007, earning the College of Optometrists of Ontario General Proficiency Medal, the AMO Award for General Proficiency and the Alcon Continuing Professional Education Award. Dr. Shoemaker has been practicing in Waterloo region since 2007 and joined our practice in 2020. As part of her studies, she completed externships in Michigan, Kentucky and Goderich. In 2005, she received the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health Professional Student Research Award. Dr. Shoemaker then worked with the Bobier Lab studying the effects of refractive error in children on developing literacy skills. She has a special interest in working with children, as well as adults with special needs. Dr. Shoemaker has continued to be involved with the University of Waterloo School of Optometry since she graduated, as both a clinical supervisor and a lab instructor. In particular, she has been involved with the External Geriatrics program (providing care for seniors in nursing homes), the Special Needs Clinic (providing care for children and adults with developmental delays and cognitive challenges) and Low Vision rehabilitation. Dr. Shoemaker has also been involved in external clinics to provide eye care for school children in low-income areas of Toronto, as well as at The Working Centre in Kitchener, where she sees a variety of patients in need. When she isn't busy seeing patients or teaching, Dr. Shoemaker enjoys spending time with her two energetic boys, experimenting in the kitchen and exploring hiking trails in the area.
Dr. Valerie Shoemaker
