Our Medical Team

Stephen Wexler, MD

Medical Director and Surgeon

Dr. Stephen Wexler has been performing refractive surgery since 1991. He is one of the most experienced surgeons in the country, having performed more than 75,000 LASIK and PRK procedures.

Dr. Wexler is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his residency training in Ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he served as Chief Resident of Ophthalmology. He is currently a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where his responsibilities include teaching LASIK surgery to ophthalmology residents and cornea fellows. Dr. Wexler is the past president of the Missouri Ophthalmological Society. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Wexler's original research on refractive surgery has been selected for publication in several Ophthalmology journals, and he has presented several papers and courses on LASIK at national Ophthalmology meetings. He is currently a principal investigator in a study evaluating a unique new technology to deliver the excimer laser energy in LASIK surgery. Dr. Wexler has received national recognition and is frequently sought after by medical professionals for their own vision correction and that of their families.

Monte Leidenix, MD

Founder

Dr. Monte Leidenix grew up in McLaughlin, South Dakota. He graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings with degrees in both Microbiology and Chemistry. He received his Master of Science degree in Microbiology / Molecular Biology from the University of North Dakota and went on to receive his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. Dr. Leidenix conducted additional research as an Ophthalmic Pathology Research Fellow at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. In addition, he completed his Ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Leidenix is board certified in Ophthalmology and is a fellow of the prestigious American College of Surgeons. Dr. Leidenix has been practicing at The Eye Clinic of North Dakota since 1997, providing cataract surgical patients with the most modern cataract techniques, including no-stitch clear corneal incisions and foldable intraocular implants.

Tom Hansted, OD

Clinical Director

Dr. Tom Hansted was born and raised in Jamestown. He attended the University of North Dakota before receiving his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. Dr. Hansted has been with The Eye Clinic of North Dakota since 2000. In his free time, Dr. Hansted enjoys hunting and fishing in North Dakota.

Steven Towle, OD

Clinical Director

Dr. Steven Towle is a native of Minot. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Minot State University before receiving a Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. Dr. Towle has been with The Eye Clinic of North Dakota since 1991. He is a past president of the Lions Foundation of North Dakota as well as a past president of the Lions Eye Bank of North Dakota.

Lucas Schnaidt, MD

Dr. Lucas Schnaidt was raised in Beulah, North Dakota. He attended the University of North Dakota and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. Dr. Schnaidt continued at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences obtaining his Doctor of Medicine degree. He then completed his transitional year internship through the University of North Dakota at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND and subsequently accomplished his rigorous ophthalmology residency training at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.

Dr. Schnaidt is excited to return to his roots in North Dakota and serve his hometown region through his continual pursuit of excellence and cutting-edge advancements in his field. He has a deep-seated commitment to improve his patients' vision through the delivery of comprehensive medical and surgical ophthalmic care, with a focus on refractive cataract surgery, LASIK, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and laser procedures. He is a member of various professional organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Outside of his profession, Dr. Schnaidt enjoys spending time with his wife and children and is passionate for outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, boating, skiing and golfing.

Dr. Hansted and Dr. Towle specialize in the clinical aspects of Refractive Surgery. As Clinical Directors for Bismarck LASIK, they are involved every step of the way- from pre-operative refractions, and interpreting your scans, to patient education and discussing your best options with you. As experts in pre- and post-operative LASIK care, they can answer just about any question or concern you may have.

Our LASIK Team

Ashley Jacobchick

Center Manager

Ashley was born and raised in Mandan. She has been with The Eye Clinic of North Dakota for more than 17 years, proudly holding the titles of Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) and Center Manager for Bismarck LASIK. She is very passionate about her career and making a difference in the lives of our patients. Ashley enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two beautiful daughters, helping her husband with their construction business, cooking, baking, yard work, fishing, traveling, and going to their family lake.

Renee Klein

Physician Relations

Renee was born and raised in Bismarck. She attended St. Mary's Central High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Behavioral Science and Psychology from The University of Mary. She has been in the healthcare industry for 25 years, primarily in the area of sales and marketing.

Ali Alyea

Laser Technician

Ali provides clinical and surgical support to the Bismarck LASIK team. She is a native North Dakotan who, after nine years as a clinical and surgical technician, has developed a strong sense of devotion to the ophthalmology community. She and her husband enjoy spending time with good friends and cold drinks around a campfire.