MEET OUR EYECARE TEAM:

• Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Meade
   
• Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it. ~Bill Bradley
   
• Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. ~Buddha
   
• "You shall love the Lord your God with our whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments the whole law is based, and the prophets as well." ... "For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" ~ Jesus Christ
   
• I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love. ~Mahatma Gandhi
   
• The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side. ~Margaret Carty
   
• Aloha means far more than hello, goodbye, and love.The true and deeper meaning of Aloha is: "The presence of (Divine) Breath." It's a prayer, invocation of the Divine and acknowledgment of the Divinity that dwells within and without.

Dr. Darlyne H. Fujimoto, Optometrist

In a (coco)nutshell: She was born in Hilo, Hawaii and raised in the tiny village of Pāhoa populated by kind and loving people who infused her with the spirit of Aloha. Her childhood was idyllic, but it was not an easy life. She worked hard at school, home and her grandparents' bakery; hard work was not punishment, but valued, expected and not open to bargaining or discussion. By their own lives, her parents and grandparents taught her the values of honesty, family life, respecting others, loyalty, and self-discipline.

She feels that she was born to be an optometrist, and for the last 25 years, she has been serving the Cerritos, California community and surrounding cities with Aloha. These days, her patients also come to see her from Hawaii, across the country and from a number of foreign countries (Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Canada, Korea, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Russia, Dubai, India, Africa, Brazil and Indonesia). Her returning and referred patients keep her busy and inspired. She is deeply in love with her patients and her profession and considers it a privilege, joy and grace to be of service to others.

She defines a successful doctor as one "who delivers excellent care not only with the mind and body, but especially with the heart and soul" and she strives to be that doctor with every patient. Such a humanistic, caring approach takes time, empathy and understanding and has forged incredible, lasting friendships between her and her patients.

"People come first... I want my patients to live their lives seeing well, she says. "I don't want them missing out on any of life's beauties and joys, whether it be nature's wonders, sports, a good book or website. I'm not in it for the money; I am doing what I love," she says. In spite of an ever-growing demand for her services, she refuses to overcrowd her schedule. She has never been tempted to double up her schedule (which would double her income), as doing so would shortchange her patients. Instead, she has sought out and employs excellent associate doctors who, sharing her ideals, work alongside and collaborate with her.

She also tangibly expresses her devotion to her patients by providing them with the newest and the best in eyecare technology, knowing that doing so can avert much pain and suffering by detecting and nipping problems in the bud. She laughingly speculates that she may well be the least compensated doctor around, as she keeps plowing her assets back into the practice. Lest you feel a twinge of sympathy, know that she is a believer of storing up one's treasures in heaven.

Her patients are very knowledgeable as she constantly updates them on the latest developments in eye care, contact lenses, nutrition and eye health, the effects of stress on eye health, and computer-related vision problems (Computer Vision Syndrome). Although quiet by nature, she'll talk up a storm if she believes you will benefit from knowing more about your eyes.

Grateful for the loyalty and support of her patients and community, she enthusiastically gives back by giving talks on eye health, eyes and computers, nutrition for eye health, and VSP insurance availability to the uninsured to community organizations, local schools, churches, health care professionals, Cerritos College, senior citizen centers, and Scout troops. She believes in empowering people with knowledge so they may know how to protect, preserve and enjoy their most precious sense,SIGHT! If you would like her to speak to your group or organization, call the office at 562/860-1339.

Prone to overwork, Dr. Fujimoto strives to live a balanced and consciously prioritized life. She is a voracious reader; writes for fun; is an almost daily communicant; and loves wide, open spaces where she indulges her joys of mountain biking and taking long walks with her husband and Shelties. She describes her husband as the nicest, most supportive guy on earth. They share the ups and downs of life with their family, immediate and extended, and cherished friends and neighbors. They are presently experiencing the unadulterated joy of being "G-Ma" and "G-Pa" to their g-kids, Austin Kai (6) and Makena Grace (4).

In view of the evidence of God's purpose being clearly woven into her life, she is content to leave any future plans in the hands of the Master Planner, while trusting in Providence and Grace. Always with an eye to the future, she speculates that she will devote her golden years to teaching, studying theology, rescuing dogs, and continuing to fulfill the Scout promise of "Leave a place better than you found it." As a baby boomer, she thinks she's still in her silver years and as long as she is able and enjoys her work, she plans to continue empathically caring for her patients.

Please click the link on "History of Our Practice": cerritos2020.com/specialty1.htm to learn how our practice came to be.

Dr. Annalisa Fernando-Langit, Optometrist

Dr. Fernando-Langit is a native of Southern California, born and raised in sunny San Diego. She was fascinated by the field of Optometry at an early age, especially when her optometrist gave her her first pair of glasses - it changed her view of the world! She earned her bachelors of science degree in Psychobiology at UCLA and then received her Doctorate of Optometry at the Southern California College of Optometry, where she graduated with high honors. Her clinical training took place at the West LA VA Medical Center, San Diego Sharpe Hospital, Optometric Center of Los Angeles, and the Eye Care Center of Fullerton.

Dr. Fernando-Langit enjoyed her training at the West LA VA Healthcare System so much that she decided to stay and pursue a post-graduate residency in Geriatrics and Hospital-Based Optometry, an additional year of training which involved specialty contact lens fittings, low vision rehabilitation services, and bedside nursing home examinations.

Dr. Fernando-Langit is very compassionate and dedicated about her profession that she strives to go the "extra mile" for each and every patient, ensuring that each and everyone receive the quality eye care they deserve. She makes sure of this by educating them on proactive ways of achieving optimal eye health and constantly keeps herself on top of the latest and cutting edge research and technologies in eye care.

She enjoys the educational side of optometry as well and has presented a few case study posters at the American Optometry Association Annual Meeting and published an article on eye nutrition in Clinical and Refractive Optometry entitled, "Ocular Manifestations of Vitamin A Deficiency."

Dr. Fernando-Langit believes her calling is not only to help people live their lives seeing well but she also loves to help those with poor sight. Those individuals who have poor vision usually are those who have suffered from certain ocular diseases, like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and/or congenital diseases. Dr. Fernando-Langit understands and empathizes with these individuals and tries to help them with challenges that they may experience with simple everyday tasks like reading, driving, and/or watching TV. By providing low vision evaluations for the visually impaired, she is able to recommend appropriate optical aids and adaptive technology for those looking to better overcome their visual challenges.

In addition to providing low vision care, Dr. Fernando-Langit provides primary optometric care, medical management of ocular disease, and contact lens fittings. She is certified to fit SynergEyes hybrid lenses, a new lens technology that combines the crisp vision of a �hard� lens and the comfort of a �soft� lens.

She enjoys giving back to the local community and frequently organizes vision screenings for nearby schools and senior centers and will occasionally give talks on general eye health and vision rehabilitation. She is an active member of the Low Vision Section of the California Optometric Association, Cerritos Chamber of Commerce, and the Cerritos Soroptimist Club.

Dr. Fernando-Langit and her husband Dex, a computer whiz, enjoy exploring new places, fishing, reading, landscape photography, and spending quality time with her family, friends, loved ones and their dog, Bogart (Bogie, for short).

Dr. Sharon Mallari, Optometrist

Dr. Sharon Mallari is a home town doctor, born and raised right here in our lovely town of Cerritos. She was a patient of Dr. Fujimoto's clinic since the age of 9 years old, which cultivated her desire to pursue the career of Optometry.

She received her BA degree in Biological Sciences from University of California, Santa Barbara and continued on to University of California, Berkeley to earn her Doctorate of Optometry, graduating with high honors. She was received her clinical training at the Portland VA Medical Center in Oregon, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lion's Vision Clinic, and San Diego State University Eye Clinic.

She has always strongly believed that in order to excel in anything, you must truly love what you do. There is no doubt that she loves educating her patients in every way she can and loves helping them enjoy the visual beauties of world around them. Her welcoming attitude and sincere smile allow her to develop genuine relationships with her patients.

Well aware of the growing knowledge base of optometry, she strives to provide the most up to date quality vision care for her patients. She enjoys the challenge of all aspects of contact lens fitting and is certified to provide Orthokeratology (Paragon CRT) services, which is a reversible and alternative method to eyeglasses or refractive surgery through the use of overnight contact lens wear. She also provides dry eye evaluations to pinpoint the exact cause of your dry eye symptoms in order to recommend the best method of treatment. In addition, Dr. Mallari practices primary eye care and ocular disease detection at our clinic and is certified to evaluate and treat glaucoma.

Dr. Mallari has served as president for BSK International Optometric Honor Society, Berkeley. She is currently a member of the California and American Optometric Associations.

Being a Cerritos native, Dr. Mallari feels extremely honored to be serving her community. She is an active member of the Optimist Club of Cerritos and is active with the Cerritos Chamber of Commerce.

When she's not in the office, Dr. Mallari enjoys surfing, snowboarding, traveling, finding new hikes, painting, baking for her loved ones, and laughing and smiling with anyone who is willing to partake of her joyful personality.

Dr. Terry Fujimoto, Business Manager

Dr.Terry Fujimoto is the wind beneath his wife's, Darlyne's, wings. Without his support, encouragement and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good, our office would simply not exist.

His "real" job is being a professor of Plant Science at Cal Poly University. When his work day at the university is done and after a long drive from Pomona, he is at our office, making sure the bills get paid, takes care of payroll and taxes, and is the all-around "Mr. Fix-it."

Bless his heart, he also frees up our staff's time by making runs to the office supply store and Costco. As a professor he gets summers off, but his wife does not, so he can be found in the office in the summer, often pinch-hitting for vacationing staff members. After 25 years, he can man almost every post. As a guitarist, he is especially good with his hands and has proved to be a particularly skilled optician. He is simply invaluable to our team.

His interests are Hawaiian music, 'ukulele and guitar-playing, biking, and hiking. He is also the beloved G-Pa to g-kids Austin Kai and Makena Grace.

This is what Terry does when he's not in our office:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27840725

Mary Lou Tellez, Director of Patient Services

Mary Lou Tellez has joyfully worked for Dr. Fujimoto for over eight years. She loves her job and it shows! Her smile lights up a room and lifts many spirits.

Mary Lou's is the sweet voice you hear when you make or confirm your appointment. She, along with the rest of the staff, do their best to make our patients feel welcome and well-cared for.

She consistently goes over and above what is expected of her, touching bases with as many patients as she can and treating them as family. Don't be surprised if she addresses you with "mijo" or "mija" which are endearments in Spanish.

She graduated from school for Medical Assisting with highest honors. Before she switched into the health field, Mary Lou spent seventeen years in banking.

Our office owes Mary Lou a special debt of gratitude for her dedication and loyalty. Thanks to Mary Lou's strong faith in God, she has straightened wayward paths and defended and enforced our business ethics with those who were not so inclined to abide by them.

She is the mother of three and grandmother of five.

Mary Lou's interests include traveling (she recently traveled to O'ahu, Maui, and Europe), the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Cowboys (she hails from El Paso, TX), and playing at the casinos in Laughlin, Nevada. Keno is her favorite game.

Mary Jacobowitz, Head Optician - Optical Manager

Mary Jacobowitz is our most knowledgeable optician. She received her license in December of 1990 and is fully credentialed as an ABO (American Board of Opticianry)-certified optician.

Her gentle personality, wealth of experience, knowledge, expertise, and willingness to go the extra mile for our patients make her an outstanding member of our team.

Her passion for the optical field was ignited when she was first introduced to lens fabrication at an optical laboratory. Since then, she has continued working in the optical profession for nearly thirty years.

When asked how satisfied she was with her work and our office, on a scale of 1 to 10, ten being highest, Mary replied, "My satisfaction level is a 10!"

She is the mother of three and the grandmother of two.

Her favorite pastimes are bowling (she's really good!), dirt biking, camping, and bingo.

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Our office makes a special effort to provide real-life optometric experience to aspiring doctors of optometry. Dr. Fujimoto was generously given two such opportunities by Drs. Kenneth Fujimoto (no relation) and Vernon Shibata in Honolulu, who inspired and immeasurably helped her to become a private practitioner. She is "paying it forward" by creating such opportunities to aspiring optometrists, so be prepared to see a new face or two whenever you come in. Our little office has "produced" 24 doctors over the years!

Tiffany Pang, Optometric Assistant

Sylvia Martinez, Optician