Doctors & Staff
Meet the experienced and friendly doctors and staff who make Prairie Eye Clinic the leading provider of vision care products and services in Vermillion.
Cynthia Johnson, OD
Dr. Johnson was born and raised on a farm 6 miles west of Hurley, SD. She is a graduate of Hurley HS then Augustana College in Sioux Falls before attending the University of Houston College of Optometry. In 1983, she graduated Gold Key Honor Society from UHCO. She and her husband, Dr. Kevin Brown, have been in their private optometric practice since 1983 in Vermillion. Dr. Johnson is a member of the American Optometric Association, the South Dakota Optometric Society, and Vermillion Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Johnson is an Academic Associate Professor for the Physician Assistant studies program, School of Health Sciences, at the University of South Dakota.
Kevin M. Brown, OD
Dr. Brown was born in Auburn, NE, and remains a Husker fan to this day. He is a graduate of Auburn HS and then attended Kearney State College in Kearney, NE, before attending the University of Houston College of Optometry. He received both his BS from the University of Houston and Doctor of Optometry (OD) from UHCO in 1983. He and his wife, Dr. Cindy Johnson, have been in their private optometric practice since 1983 in Vermillion. Dr. Brown is a member of the American Optometric Association, the South Dakota Optometric Society, and Vermillion Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Brown is an Academic Associate Professor for the Physician Assistant studies program, School of Health Sciences, at the University of South Dakota.
Erin
Erin graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 2014. After high school, she attended Stewarts School for her Cosmetology license along with her Associates in Business Management. Erin and her husband, Tyler, moved to Vermillion last January and have loved living here. In her free time she enjoys fishing with her husband, being outside with their dog, Chester & reading.
Kelsey
Kelsey is from Yankton, SD and graduated from Yankton High School in 2010. She then attended the University of South Dakota where she received her degree in Psychology. Kelsey lives in Vermillion, SD. She serves as our Optical Manager.
Gayle
Gayle grew up in Vermillion and attended the University of South Dakota. Life and adventure took her to West River, SD for fifteen years! She returned to Vermillion in 2019 when her daughter came to USD.
Taylor
Taylor grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Lincoln High School. She has a background in Media and Journalism along with film history.
She and her husband live in Vermillion with two kids – Olliver and Grace Kelley, four cats, and four Emmy Awards. In her free time she enjoys reading about health and medicine, traveling, and helping her husband with their video production business. Fun Fact: One of her daughter’s godfathers is Mitchell Olson from Survivor Season 2: The Outback.
Amanda
Amanda was born in Lincoln, Nebraska , but considers herself a Vermillion local after growing up here from the time she was in 2nd grade. She graduated from Vermillion High School in 2021. Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends, including her dogs Frankie and Hazel. Plus she loves going to concerts and reading about whatever is currently sparking her interest.
Fun Fact: Amanda has been coming to Prairie Eye Clinic for her eye care since she was little, and got her first pair of glasses here!