Meet Our Team!
Dr. Amy Sullivan is thrilled to be back in the picturesque landscapes of rural Nevada, her home state. As a fourth generation Nevadan, she has a local passion for outdoor adventures, including hunting, fishing, and soaking in the natural beauty that surrounds her.
Dr. Sullivan was raised in Battle Mountain and graduated from high school with the class of 2005. She then embarked on her academic pursuits at the University of Nevada Reno, earning a BS in Biology. During her time there, she had the exciting opportunity to study abroad in the Basque Country through the USAC program.
Following her undergraduate adventures, Dr. Sullivan headed for Oregon to attend Pacific University College of Optometry, where she graduated with honors in 2014. Her clinical training took her to diverse locations, including Wyoming, Alaska, Colorado and back home to Nevada. During these externships, she honed her skills in primary eye care, managing ocular diseases, and providing top-notch contact lens services. Dr. Sullivan also dedicated her time and expertise to the AMIGOS humanitarian group, where she extended her care to underserved communities in Nicaragua.
As a dedicated member of the American Optometric Association and a board-certified specialist in the treatment and management of ocular diseases, Dr. Sullivan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. She is also board certified in the diagnosis, treatment and management of glaucoma. After establishing her career in the Reno-Carson area, she is excited to expand her reach to the welcoming patients of Winnemucca and its surrounding communities
Dr. Amy Sullivan, O.D.
Dr. Howard Ho, Optometrist
Dr. Howard Ho is the newest optometrist to join Bengoa Eye Care. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Nova Southeastern University in 2019 and obtained his doctorate in optometry in 2024 from the SUNY College of Optometry.
Dr. Ho has rotated through numerous clinics, including primary care, ocular disease, contact lens, and pediatrics. Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Ho enjoys basketball, singing/dancing, and traveling, but has expressed a desire to try new hobbies including hiking and fishing.
Dr. Ho is very excited to provide top quality eye care for the people of Winnemucca and make a large, positive impact on the community.
Debby - Patient Care & Surgery Coordinator
Meet Debby, our dedicated Patient Care and Surgery Coordinator. Coming from a family with deep farming roots, Debby has proudly called Kings River and Winnemucca her home for years. Debby's journey in the world of optometry began in 2000, and since then, she has risen to the role of our head Technician. She skillfully administers a wide array of tests, from the initial diagnostics prior to a patient's consultation with the doctor to the more advanced assessments that follow.
Debby's commitment to excellence extends beyond her technical abilities. She has successfully earned her American Board of Opticianry Certification as well as Certified Paraoptometric Assistant, a testament to her dedication to providing top-notch care to our patients.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Debby's heart is filled with love for animals, and she finds solace in quality time with her family. She's a committed member of our team, and we love having her in our office!
Ashley - Office Supervisor & Optician
Meet Ashley, our Office Supervisor and Optician. Ashley was raised right here in beautiful Winnemucca, Nevada. After proudly graduating from Lowry High School in 2002, she set her sights on the bright lights of Reno, Nevada. There, she embarked on a journey to become a distinguished Certified Dental Coder and a Certified Dental Billing Specialist, honing her skills in the medical field for over two decades.
In 2021, Ashley and her beloved wife, alongside their two wonderful boys, made the decision to return to her hometown of picturesque Winnemucca.
When she's not helping the community with all their eye care needs, Ashley takes pleasure in tending to her garden, immersing herself in a good book, embarking on camping adventures, and enjoying precious moments with her cherished family. We’re so grateful to have Ashley’s expertise and dedication on the team!
Ruby - Optician
Welcome Ruby, a proud mom of three wonderful kiddos who all share a zest for outdoor adventures and imaginative indoor fun! Whether they’re hiking, camping, swimming, playing at the park, or constructing cozy forts for movie nights, Ruby and her husband cherish every moment with their little ones.
Originally from Winnemucca, Ruby graduated in 2009 and continues to embrace this community while making special memories with her family along the way!
Katelyn - Technician
Meet Katelyn, a proud Winnemucca native who took a brief detour after high school - and returned home in 2020. Her weekends were spent at her family ranch in Orovada, traveling for high school rodeos and honing her skills on the FFA horse judging team - both as a participant and coach, 4-H animals kept her busy!
She loves to travel and explore the world. Salem, Massachusetts is her favorite destination she’s visited so far! Katelyn is a Halloween enthusiast who loves all things spooky—whether it’s diving into a horror novel or watching scary movies.
When she’s not at work, you can find her riding horses, hiking with her three adorable corgis, or enjoying quality time with friends and family.
Ryan Van Der Veen - Patient Care Coordinator
Ryan is a proud Winnemucca native and graduate from Lowry High School, class of 2010. His journey has mostly revolved around all things Customer Service and Supply Chain, and he’s thrilled to have joined our team at Bengoa Eye Care at the Front Desk!
In his free time, Ryan loves hanging out with his spouse and their adorable fur babies, hitting the gym and the trails for some hiking, and getting competitive with a few rounds of Mario Kart. Ryan is excited to be here and support this community, and we’re so happy to have him!
Angelina - Technician
Angelina is a born and raised Winnemuccan. She loves spending time with family and friends and believes in taking life one day at a time, savoring those small moments that bring joy.
She truly enjoys her role at Bengoa Eye Care, where she gets to make people laugh and smile every day. Being bilingual allows Angelina to connect with even more patients, and she’s dedicated to providing top-notch customer service to ensure everyone has a wonderful experience with Bengoa!
Victoria - Optician
Victoria is a devoted mother of three who has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for nine wonderful years. Originally from Battle Mountain, NV, she started her career as a dental assistant before embracing the joys of being a stay-at-home mom and focusing on her family.
Now she’s thrilled to embark on a new adventure as an optician! In her free time, she loves diving into a good book, baking delicious treats, gardening, and making the most of quality moments with her beautiful family.
Janett - Patient Care Coordinator
Meet Janett - originally from sunny California, she’s been happily calling Winnemucca home since 2019. She’s a big family person and cherishes spending time with my loved ones.
Janett joined the Bengoa team in June 2024 as a Patient Care Coordinator, and she absolutely loves her job! She’s grown so much and is eager to keep learning so she can continue to enhance the patient's overall experience. Being bilingual also helps her connect with this diverse community - one of the things she says she loves most about Bengoa! We’re so excited she’s here to help our community in all things eye care!
In Memory of Dr. Cody Bengoa
Bengoa Eye Care was founded by Dr. Cody Bengoa, a native of Humboldt County who was born in Winnemucca and raised at the Kings River Ranch. He attended high school in McDermitt and Winnemucca, graduating as one of the valedictorians of the Lowry High School Class of 1995.
After completing his BS in Biochemistry at UNR and OD at Pacific University, Cody and his family returned to Reno where he worked as an associate OD for two years. Following the birth of his daughter, Dr. Bengoa and his family had the opportunity to return to Winnemucca where he would practice for the next 15 years.
Dr. Bengoa worked with Northern Nevada Eye Care for 6 years, after which he started his own practice, opening the doors of Bengoa Eye Care in December of 2012. In 2019 he opened the new building and put great pride in the development of the space. Cody was so grateful to work with an amazing and dedicated staff, his work family, and he felt blessed and honored to be able to serve patients and raise his kids in the community in which he was born.
In the fall of 2020, while training for a local triathlon, Cody developed symptoms that eventually led him to the ENTs office. After surgery to remove what doctors thought was a polyp, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of sinonasal cancer.
Cody researched treatment options voraciously and sought opinions from cancer specialists in three different states, undergoing surgery, chemo therapy, and radiation. In August of 2021, he began to experience some shortness of breath and was found to have developed pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM), a rare and fatal complication that compromised the blood vessels in his lungs.
After an arduous and brave fight with cancer, Dr. Bengoa passed away on September 29, 2021 at the age of 44.
He is greatly missed by all his family, staff, patients and community.