A Personal Look At Our Doctors

Norman E. Cohen, M.D. attended medical school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, interned at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York , and was chief resident at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York .  He started private practice in 1975 and founded Eye Care Specialists with Dr. Robert Sucher in 1985. 

Dr. Cohen was the first surgeon in Wisconsin to perform phacoemulsification (ultrasound) removal of cataracts, and along with Dr. Sucher, was the first to use foldable silicone implants for cataract surgery through a tiny incision.  Dr. Cohen continues to specialize in advanced small-incision cataract removal, and he and his partners are among a very limited number of ophthalmologists certified by the prestigious American Board of Eye Surgeons. 

In addition to cataract surgery, Dr. Cohen specializes in the medical, surgical and laser treatment of diabetes and glaucoma.  He frequently conducts continuing medical education seminars for fellow eye care providers and writes articles for public and professional publications on these and other topics.  Dr. Cohen also provides comprehensive eye care services for most other ophthalmic infections, conditions and diseases.

Dr. Cohen and his partners at Eye Care Specialists are proud to be one of the only ophthalmology groups in the country to write and publish their own series of in-depth, color, large-print educational booklets on common eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, macular degeneration and laser vision correction.

When he's not seeing patients or gathering ideas for the future direction of our practice, Dr. Cohen is involved in various sports, including bicycling (most recently in eastern Canada ), hiking, basketball, golf and tennis.  He also enjoys traveling with his wife and visiting their children.

"I especially enjoy ophthalmology because it encompasses both office practice and surgery.  What makes this field particularly rewarding is the opportunity to save or restore the vision of so many people."

Robert A. Sucher, M.D. conducted all of his medical training at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee .  He entered private practice in 1976 and founded Eye Care Specialists with Dr. Norman Cohen in 1985.  Dr. Sucher is regarded as one of the leading cataract surgeons in Wisconsin and has received special certification from the American Board of Eye Surgeons for his work.  He has pioneered new surgical techniques in this field and taught these concepts to fellow physicians.  In addition to cataract surgery, Dr. Sucher remains on the cutting edge of refractive and laser technology for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.  He was an investigator for FDA clinical protocol investigations of the Chiron Technolas laser.  When he's not busy at the office, Dr. Sucher especially enjoys the opportunity to test his skills on the golf course.

Dr. Robert Sucher conducted his medical training at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee .  He entered private practice in 1976 and founded Eye Care Specialists with Dr. Norman Cohen in 1985.  Dr. Sucher is regarded as one of Wisconsin 's leading cataract surgeons in terms of exceptional skill and volume and has received special certification from the American Board of Eye Surgeons for his work.  Dr. Sucher has pioneered new surgical techniques and equipment, including phacoemulsification (ultrasonic) cataract removal, and he and Dr. Cohen were the first eye surgeons in Wisconsin to utilize foldable lens implants.  Dr. Sucher is now offering patients the option of multi-focal lens implants to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses after cataract removal.  In addition to cataract surgery, Dr. Sucher remains on the cutting edge of advances in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.  Most recently,

Dr. Sucher's reputation for improving the vision of legions of older adults has resulted in standing-room-only crowds at local hospital and senior center educational presentations.  He also participates in continuing medical education seminars for fellow eye care providers and writes articles for public and professional publications. 

When he's not in the office or operating room, Dr. Sucher cherishes spending time with his wife and visiting their children and little granddaughter.  He also reports that he is still trying to master the game of golf.

"I chose to become an ophthalmologist because it is one of the few medical fields where you get to handle all aspects of patient care—from evaluation and diagnosis to treatment.  I like being able to follow my patients through the process rather than having to send them to someone else.  It's rewarding to work together with patients as partners in their eye care."

Mark I. Freedman, M.D. is a board-certified Ophthalmologist specializing in laser and cataract surgery.  His academic credentials include graduating as Valedictorian of his class at the University of Wisconsin—Madison before proceeding to medical school at Stanford University and the Medical College of Wisconsin.  He interned at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee and held a residency and associateship at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.  During his medical education, Dr. Freedman received awards for outstanding scholarship in biochemistry, pharmacology and research, as well as exceptional knowledge and skill in the treatment of infants. 

Since joining Eye Care Specialists in 1988, Dr. Freedman has performed thousands of refractive and laser vision correction procedures, including LASIK and PRK.  He was a Principal Clinical Investigator for FDA laser vision correction studies and is a driving force behind the practice's advancements in surgical treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.  Dr. Freedman also provides comprehensive coverage of most ophthalmic procedures, including no-stitch cataract removal, retinal laser surgery, fluorescein angiography, strabismus (crossed eyes) surgery, ophthalmic plastic surgery, and advanced laser therapy for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma.  His patients range from tiny newborns to centenarians. 

Dr. Freedman has participated in the American Academy of Ophthalmology's "Eye Care Project for the Elderly" and local "Gift of Sight" programs to provide free medical and/or surgical eye care for the needy.  He also frequently lectures to both fellow physicians and the general public and is a consultant for Ocular Surgery News, a professional trade publication.  Dr. Freedman has written numerous scientific papers as well as columns for local older adult and community newspapers.  He and his partners have published their own series of large-print, full-color educational booklets on various eye care topics.  They provide continuing education conferences and newsletters for optometric doctors and conduct in-services for physicians and nursing staffs.  Dr. Freedman often appears in local TV and newspaper stories as an expert source on vision topics, including eye safety, pediatric conditions, glaucoma, and laser vision correction.

Dr. Freedman spends what little free time he has enthusiastically sharing in the achievements and activities of his children and wife.  He also enjoys swimming, skiing and scuba diving.  Dr. Freedman has livened up our walls with pictures and our continuing education conferences with video footage of sharks and sunken warships from his underwater adventures. 

"I can't say enough about the sense of satisfaction I feel from performing laser vision correction.  I get just as excited as the patient when they sit up from the procedure and are amazed that they can already read the clock across the room.  The reward is so immediate.  It's wonderful to know that in just minutes, you can take away years of hassles."

Brett W. Rhode, M.D. is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison, interned at the University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics in Madison, and completed his residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.  During his studies, Dr. Rhode was a principal investigator to determine if a CCTV low vision device improves reading speed in individuals with low vision.  He also conducted DNA research related to the eye.

Dr. Rhode entered private practice at Eye Care Specialists in 1996 where he handles all ophthalmic conditions, including small-incision/no-injection cataract surgery, glaucoma and ocular infections.  Dr. Rhode has a special aptitude and interest in caring for diabetic patients—performing laser surgery whenever possible to save and protect their vision.  His interests have also led him to conduct research into new methods of treatment for macular degeneration.  In addition, Dr. Rhode has a unique gift for treating our littlest patients, bringing smiles to them and their parents through surgical correction of crossed and lazy eyes. 

Certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Rhode has earned a reputation as a highly skilled surgeon with a relaxed and friendly manner.  His personality and expertise make him a popular speaker for older-adult and civic groups.  Dr. Rhode also writes articles for patient and professional newsletters and lectures to optometric, hospital physician and nursing groups.

Dr. Rhode enjoys spending time with his young children and, whenever his schedule and the weather allow, he likes to go canoeing and mountain biking with his wife Kara and their pet dogs.  He has also put his "highly honed" carpentry skills to work helping his brother-in-law build a home from the ground up.

"I feel privileged to be entrusted to care for something so important as people's vision."

Daniel K. Ferguson, M.D.  After several years of putting his University of Wisconsin-Madison Engineering degree to use on projects as varied as conducting FDA environmental assessment reports for acetaminophen and ibuprofen and designing and installing the first proprietary post-combustion technology in a steel mill in the U.S., Daniel K. Ferguson had a new vision for his future. 

In 1997, he returned to UW-Madison and applied the same determination to becoming a doctor.  He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society, received the Medical Student Association Leadership Award, volunteered at a free medical clinic for the homeless, and worked for a year at St. Luke's Medical Complex in Milwaukee.  Upon choosing to specialize in ophthalmology, Dr. Ferguson garnered a residency at the highly prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, where he developed a special interest and aptitude in the application of optical coherence tomography and retinal angiography for the diagnosis of rare eye disorders.

Dr. Ferguson joined Eye Care Specialists in 2005 to put his skills to use diagnosing and treating nearly every ophthalmic condition, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, dry eye disease and ocular infections.  He has additional training in glaucoma procedures and does corneal transplants for the practice.  Dr. Ferguson also performs laser vision correction (LASIK and PRK) to help patients reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contact lenses due to nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.

Outside of the office and operating room, Dr. Ferguson enjoys spending free time with his wife Michelle and their friends and family.  His other interests include bicycling, camping, fishing (in Canada, when possible), golf, watching movies, reading and grilling. 

"Ophthalmology combines science, art, compassion and empathy in a way that is very rewarding for me.  The opportunity to use advanced technology to improve the vision and the lives of patients of all ages makes this field particularly enjoyable."

David A. Scheidt, O.D. is a 1985 graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.  He conducted clinical internships at the Illinois Visually Handicapped Institute and at West Side V.A. Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Scheidt joined Eye Care Specialists in 1992 where he is dedicated to the practice of medical optometry as well as managing pre- and post-surgical care of cataract, glaucoma and laser vision correction patients.  Dr. Scheidt also has a special aptitude and interest in caring for diabetic patients.  He was a contributing editor to an updated book of guidelines for Wisconsin physicians on the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes melliutus and has lectured extensively on the subject.  Dr. Scheidt's friendly and easy-to-understand manner has also made him a favorite guest speaker with older adult and civic groups.

Dr. Scheidt is well respected among his peers for his service as a past president of the Milwaukee Optometric Society and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Optometric Association.  He also researches and writes newsletter updates and assists in conducting continuing medical education seminars for fellow physicians.

In addition to enjoying time with his wife and three children (including, coaching track and seeing his daughter's volleyball team take 5th in Nationals), Dr. Scheidt takes pleasure in fishing, scuba diving and simply being outdoors.

"Eye care is a field where you can really make an impact on your patients' lives.  Next to life itself, there is nothing as precious as our eyesight.  Our practice philosophy reflects this belief.  Through teamwork and individual dedication, we strive to provide each and every patient with compassionate quality care using the most advanced technology available."