Dr. James Stickel received his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Indiana University Bloomington in 1999. He then went on to receive a Master of Science in Human Biology from Purdue University - Indianapolis in 2000. Additionally, Dr. Stickel obtained a Doctor of Optometry from Indiana University in 2004.
Soon after receiving his doctorate in 2004, he joined Dr. Cripe and Stephens. He has served on the board of directors of the Goshen Rotary Club, committee chairman of the Indiana Optometric Association®, and previously served as president of the North Central Optometric Society. Dr. Stickel's community service also stretches to organizing school vision screenings for a number of elementary schools in Elkhart County. He enjoys pediatric eye care, treating ocular diseases, and performing contact lens services. In April 2014, Dr. Stickel was named Indiana's "Young Optometrist of the Year".