Our Team

Dr. Melissa Barnhart is the founder of Vision Institute Northwest and prides herself in working with integrity for the sake of her patients. Read more about her below.

Dr. Barnhart completed her undergraduate work at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Visual Science from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. In 2010 she received her doctorate of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry, graduating with honors. She then completed a one-year residency at the Spokane Veteran’s Administration Medical Center specializing in Geriatric and Primary Care Optometry.

Following her residency, Dr. Barnhart worked as a staff optometrist at the VA supervising students and residents. Dr. Barnhart purchased Franklin Park Vision from Dr. Wavra in June 2015. She acquired Broadway Eyecare Center in 2021 and is opening a third location in Airway Heights in 2022.  All locations are now rebranded as Vision Institute Northwest and function as one.

She is board certified by the American Board of Optometry and is an active member of Optometric Physicians of Washington, the local chapter of the American Optometric Association.

She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her two young children.

Dr. Duane Zink prides himself in providing patients the same quality he'd want from others. Learn more about him below.

Dr. Zink graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1996. His training included a preceptorship at Oak Harbor Naval Base and clinical time at the Pacific University Eye Clinic in Portland, Oregon.

While in school, he participated in a humanitarian trip to Tecoman, Colima, Mexico where he donated a week of his time to match needy patients with donated eyeglasses and find resources for necessary eye surgeries.

He started practicing in Spokane inside Cozza Optical in September 1996 and joined Franklin Park Vision, now known as Vision Institute Northwest, in October 2019.

Dr. Zink believes in caring for each patient with the same quality and time that he would expect them to care for him. He typically schedules fewer patients per day than many doctors to make this a reality and ensure the patients’ needs are met.

Dr. Jessica Connolly has a passion for providing quality eye care to her patients. Learn about her training and expertise below.

A Spokane native, Dr. Jessica Connolly received her doctorate of optometry degree in 2006 from the New England College of Optometry, where she was awarded the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society for her outstanding academic and clinical achievement. She also completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Spokane VA Medical Center.

Dr. Connolly has extensive experience in Lasik and PRK, and her special interests include diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Her passion is to provide thorough and quality eye care to all of her patients.

In her free time, she enjoys skiing, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two daughters. Dr. Connolly looks forward to many years of providing eye care to Spokane’s community.

Dr. Sirott joined Vision Institute Northwest in 2023. His focus is on patient-centered care and tailoring the eye exam to the patient's individual needs.

Dr. Sirott grew up in Virginia near Washington D.C. He completed undergraduate school at the University of Mary Washington with a bachelor's degree in biology and visual science in 1998. After graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2002 he completed a post doctorate residency program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia. After finishing this training in 2003, he moved to Spokane, drawn to the beauty of the Northwest. He has worked at the Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center and has experience in the private sector.

He is an active member of the American Optometric Association and has served as President of the Optometric Physicians of Washington. Outside of eyecare, Dr. Sirott is involved with the community. As a USA Cycling official, he travels to bicycle races throughout the country. In his leisure time he and his wife, Sarah, enjoy cycling, bicycle racing, photography, skiing, and anything outdoors.