Meet Our Staff
Marc Van Hoose, O.D.
Born: Long Beach, CA. Raised in Carlsbad, CA.
Education: BA in Biology and English from the University of Southern California 2000, Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2004, Completed Pre-Doctorate Rotations at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, Veterans Hospital Downtown Los Angeles, Native American Hospital Lawton, Oklahoma, and Fullerton Eye Care Center.
Practice: Founded Van Hoose Optometric in 2004.
Family: Married to his wife, Kyri, since 2001. They have a daughter, Caitlyn, who was born in 2008 and a son, Griffin, who was born in 2012.
Activities/Interests: Spending time with his family, USC Football, going to the beach, and playing golf and softball.
Carl Boeck, O.D.
Born: Dr. Boeck has lived in East County San Diego since 1959 and graduated from Santana High School
Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pacific University in 1975 where he also played baseball. Graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1979.
Practice: Dr. Boeck has been in private practice in San Diego for over 35 years. After 9/11 he joined the Air Force Reserves, serving over 13 years and achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and serving as Chief of Optometry Services at March ARB, CA. He has also been deployed on fourteen Humanitarian Service Missions to Africa, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. He is proud to continue his service to his country through the Veterans’s Administration Outreach Program.
Activities / Interests: Travel, Downhill skiiing
Archie Ackroyd, O.D.
Born: Norristown, PA Moved to San Diego in 1972.
Education: Graduated from UC Berkeley as well as the UC Berkeley School of Optometry.
Practice: Dr. Ackroyd has been in practice in San Diego since 1972. He and Marc Van Hoose have been in practice together since 2004. Dr. Ackroyd is our most experienced doctor, with more than 42 years of prescribing experience.
Activities/Interests: Golf, Sailing, and Working on his Sail Boat.
Kristen Gutierrez, ABOC
Office Manager & Optician
Born: Fresno, CA where she lived until she moved to San Diego in 2007.
Experience: Kristen has been an optician since 2005 and received her certification from the American Board of Opticianry in 2009. She is fully trained in the fitting of all types of glasses frames and lenses. She joined Van Hoose Optometric in 2007 and is the office manager.
Family: Married to her husband, Jordan, since 2020. Kristen has a daughter, Kylee, who was born in 2012 and a son, Logan who was born in 2021.
Activities/Interests: Spending time with her family.
Ursula Benedict
Optician
Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. Immigrated to the United States in 1995 and immediately settled in San Diego.
Education: Completed a program for Clinical Medical Assistant at Boston Reed and graduated with a certificate in February 2002. She also completed an internship at Balboa Medical Group as a medical assistant.
Experience: Ursula has been an optician for over 20 years, beginning her career at Van Hoose & Kimball Optometry in La Jolla, CA. She joined Van Hoose Optometric in early 2018.
Activities / Interests: Cooking, Travelling, Shopping, and Spending time with her family
Brenda Gutierrez
Front Desk Reception / Communications
Born: Brenda has been a California resident for over 55 years. She relocated to San Diego to be closer to her family.
Experience: Brenda has worked in the customer service industry for over 35 years. She takes pride in making sure our patients have an uplifting experience, receive quality care, and are happy to return to see us each year.
Family: Brenda has a son, Michael, and twin daughters, Kristen and Nicole. She also has five grandchildren, including Kristen’s children Kylee and Logan.
Activities / Interests: Camping in the Sierras, Golfing, and Spending time at the beach