Meet the Staff

Bridgett Bessinger

Bridget has worked for Dr. Draisin for 20 years. She and her husband, Chuck, have two girls, Kelly Jean and Madaline. Bridget and her family are very active in their community and with their church.

Joanne Iverson

Joanne is a native of Minnesota and moved to Charleston 5 years ago. She has been in the eye care field for well over 20 years. In her spare time Joanne and her husband spend time at the beach and also love exploring the beautiful buildings downtown Charleston.

Stephen Jenkins

Stephen has been with the Draisin Vision Group since Dec. 09. He’s a native of NC where he attended the University of NC at Wilmington double majoring in Communication Studies and General Music. He lives in West Ashley with his wife and 2 dogs. When he’s not working at the Draisin Vision Group he enjoys playing music at local establishments around Charleston.

Rhonda Nossokoff

Rhonda Nossokoff has been with Draisin Vision Group since 2010. Rhonda has been married for 39 years and has three adult children. She enjoys working with the public and enriching patient’s lives through patient care coordination.

Susan Owen

Susan Owen has been working with The Draisin Vision Group since March 2008. She received her B.S. in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University. She moved here from Maryland and lives with her husband, daughter, & 2 dogs in beautiful Charleston. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, baking, and scrapbooking.

Jessie Thomasson

Jessie has been with Draisin Vision Group for over 7 years and in the Optometric field for 10 years. She received her Certified Paraoptometric title in 2016.She graduated from Winthrop University with a degree in music performance. She has lived in Charleston for 10 years and lives with her boyfriend and 3 dogs.

She loves music, true crime, Starbucks and reading.

Karen Stark

Karen moved from Atlanta, GA to the Charleston area in the summer of 2007. She began working at the Draisin Vision Group in March 2008. Her husband, four children and six grandchildren are the light of her life and she loves spending a lot of time with them. She enjoys traveling, reading, and Mah Jongg.

Liz Van Anda

Liz has been with Draisin Vision Group since September 2006. She comes to Charleston from New Jersey. She enjoys exploring the offerings of beautiful historic Charleston and loves living in the low country.

Carol Witter

Carol was born and raised in Charleston where she graduated from the College of Charleston with a BS in Sociology. She has been with the Draisin Vision Group since 2018. She lives in Ladson with her two dogs, Scarlett and Lacey. In her spare time, Carol enjoys spending time with her niece and nephews, going to the beach, movies, and travelling.

Tara Akers

Tara has been with the Draisin Vision Group for 4 years. She is a native of Charleston where she lives with her husband, two children, dog, and three chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time on the water with her family and traveling.