Celebrating 25 Years of Care: Dr. Mike Krieger Marks a Remarkable Milestone
For 25 years, patients have trusted Dr. Mike Krieger with their vision, and Atwal Eye Care has been fortunate to call him part of the family. As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we reflect not only on the years he has dedicated to our patients, but also on the commitment he has brought to our practice every single day.
Dr. Krieger’s journey to Atwal Eye Care began with determination, a young family, and a phone book.
When I was in my last year of optometry school, I was very desperate to get a job as soon as I graduated,” he recalls. “My wife and I were new parents and my student loans were massive.”
With few resources available, he took a creative approach. “My process was to rip out the ophthalmology, optometry and optical section of the Buffalo phone book and cold call every practice.”
One of those calls changed everything.
“Dave Korzak called me back. I flew home and interviewed with him on a Saturday morning in the waiting room of the old office. He was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and I was sweating through my only suit.”
Twenty-five years later, that interview remains one of the defining moments of his career. Over the past quarter century, Dr. Krieger has witnessed remarkable growth at Atwal Eye Care.
“The practice has changed a lot, obviously. We’ve become so much bigger. Many good people have contributed to that growth.”
Along the way, he has watched colleagues grow alongside the practice.
“All the young coworkers I had somehow got older and became parents and grandparents. Technology has also advanced so much and our willingness to embrace that has kept us at the forefront.”
Yet despite all the exciting changes, there are moments from the early days he remembers fondly.
“I remember how we used to have Friday happy hours right in Dr. Atwal’s office as soon as the last patient checked out. Such good times!”
Those memories remind him that while the practice has grown, the sense of family and camaraderie that defines Atwal Eye Care remains as strong as ever.
Every healthcare provider has moments that shape their career. For Dr. Krieger, one of those moments happened early on while caring for a patient experiencing flashes and floaters.
“I remember when I found my first retinal tear. I had never seen one in school. I didn’t know what to look for. There it was… in 3D. I could barely contain my excitement in front of the patient.”
The experience left a lasting impression. It also reinforced a lesson from Dr. Amar Atwal that he has carried throughout his career:
“The eyes can’t see what the brain doesn’t know.”
“It’s always stuck with me,” he says. “I used that a lot when I trained new optometrists.”
While diagnosing eye conditions and helping patients see better is rewarding, Dr. Krieger says the most meaningful moments often come from connecting with patients on a deeper level.
“There’s a lot to feel good about when caring for patients. But for me, it’s the patients that need your empathy that are the most rewarding. Sometimes, when I’m feeling burnt out or grinded down, having a case like that helps bring me back.”
For Dr. Krieger, exceptional eye care isn’t just about treating vision problems. When asked what has kept him passionate about optometry after 25 years, his answer is simple: purpose
“Doing something that has made the people I’ve taken care of better off makes me feel like I do honest work.”
Reaching a 25-year milestone at just one company is increasingly rare, and Dr. Krieger doesn’t take it for granted.
“Twenty-five years means a lot. I think it’s rare in the workplace today. It makes me feel good. I must be pretty good at what I do!”
More importantly, he recognizes the environment that allowed him to build a career.
“I’m very appreciative. Obviously, that couldn’t have happened without both Drs. Atwal, Debbie Davis, Dave Korzak and many others.”
No profile of Dr. Krieger would be complete without mentioning Maggie, his beloved rescue dog. According to Dr. Krieger, Maggie is proof that karma exists!
“God is punishing me for my behavior earlier in life,” he jokes. “She steals food with the skills of a professional athlete and a cat burglar combined, and she has no shame about it.”
In fact, Dr. Krieger jokes that if his wife ever decides to leave him, there’s already a custody agreement in place.
“My wife insists… Maggie comes with me to my mother’s house!”
It’s a lighthearted glimpse into the personality that patients and coworkers have come to know and love about Dr. Krieger over the years.
Congratulations, Dr. Krieger, on 25 incredible years. Thank you for your dedication, your expertise and the difference you’ve made for so many patients and colleagues along the way!