Our Team

Dr. Nicole Thomas is an Arizona transplant who graduated from The College of Idaho and completed her education at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois. After practicing in downtown Chicago for over a year, she moved her family back to Idaho for four years before moving closer to her parents in Arizona. Making a move to a warmer climate, she enjoys checking out new restaurants and traveling with her wife Kelly, their son Roman, and daughter Edith.

Dr. Thomas is thrilled to expand her career by opening Gaze Optometry. Her clinical interests include working with kids, myopia control, dry eye therapy, creating personalized treatment plans, and making sure her patients leave the office feeling cared for.

Dr. Marisa Beebe grew up in beautiful Southern CA and then attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in history. She then received her Doctor of Optometry from Southern California College of Optometry in 2006. She moved to AZ right after graduating and has worked in commercial and private practices here in AZ since.

Dr. Beebe is married to her husband Jonathan, and they have two amazing, funny, and sweet boys — Carter and Caden — who are the joy of her life. In her free time, Dr. Beebe enjoys kickboxing, lifting weights, swimming, biking, hiking, and spending time with her boys. She especially loves working with kids and looks forward to providing care for patients in a laid-back, fun, and cheerful environment with Gaze Optometry.

Dr. Tilena Waters graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. She then graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago and completed a Pediatrics and Primary Care residency at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. James Schweiger is a dedicated optometrist with a strong commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered eye care. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Midwestern University’s Arizona College of Optometry as part of the Class of 2017. With clinical interests in dry eye management, specialty contact lenses, myopia control, and the treatment and monitoring of ocular disease, Dr. Schweiger brings a well-rounded and modern approach to eye health.

Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Dr. Schweiger has called Arizona home since 2013. He joined Gaze Optometry in the fall of 2025, where he is valued for his thoughtful, whole-patient philosophy. Dr. Schweiger believes that vision care extends beyond the eyes—he collaborates closely with other healthcare specialties to support his patients’ overall health and well-being.

Outside the office, Dr. Schweiger enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and their dog. He also regularly plays basketball and ice hockey.
Dr. Schweiger looks forward to serving the community with attentive, compassionate care and helping patients achieve their best possible vision and ocular health.