If you aren’t from McMinnville, then it’s hard to see just how amazing the southern end of the Upper Cumberland can be. Situated just south of Sparta and Smithville, McMinnville is just a few minutes from Rock Island State Park and other local treasures.

While most of our McMinnville patients know Dr. Norman Rone has graciously served this community for decades, you may not know about the arrival of our newest Optometrist to the area.
Dr. Kelsey Elliott recently sat down with us and answered some questions about how she loves the area.
“I have lived in TN my whole life and take great enjoyment in spending time outdoors. Moving to McMinnville has given me the great opportunity to visit many beautiful local TN states parks that I haven’t had the opportunity to visit before.”

Dr. Elliott continues, “I’ve recently started kayaking and am looking forward to exploring more of Middle Tennessee’s waterways! My adventures aren’t lonely ones, I take my 4.5 yr old lab mix Lucy with me on all of my hiking adventures.”

If you have been inside our McMinnville office you may notice some of the pieces on the walls, next time you come in for an eye exam make sure to ask Dr. Elliot what piece she painted.

“When I’m not out exploring Middle TN, I enjoy doing artwork. I like to paint and draw and have done 1 painting for the office in McMinnville.” Dr. Elliot mentioned, “I not only like to paint myself, but I also enjoy collecting art pieces from some of my young patients that come for their eye exams. I have a few very treasured pieces hanging in my office.”

After taking a deeper dive into what started the interest in Optometry, we learned how McMinnville became lucky enough to have her here.

“I graduated from Southern Adventist University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Minor in Chemistry. During my time there, I was briefly President of the Optometry Club, which I enjoyed. After graduating from college, I made my first big move away from home and moved to Birmingham, Alabama. The fall of 2015 is when I started Optometry school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and graduated in 2019. Directly after that, I received the opportunity to join the Eye Centers of TN family at their McMinnville location.”

After asking her how she loves living in Tennessee, Dr. Elliot responded with this.

“It’s been a real blessing to get to know the people of McMinnville TN. I’ve been made so welcome and have really enjoyed the small-town charm. Living in an area like this has always been my goal. I’m looking forward to many more years serving this community.”