Meet Our Team at Westrum Optometry
Westrum Optometry–Your Vision Care Team in Des Moines
We pride ourselves on delivering personalized, high-quality optometry to every patient we serve. Our team of optometrists commits to helping you and your family achieve and maintain optimal eye health.
With our team’s years of experience and access to the latest technology, we can handle various eye conditions, from routine vision exams to more complex ocular diseases. We believe in creating lasting relationships with our patients by providing compassionate vision care in a warm and welcoming environment.
Dr. Joel Aaron Westrum, O.D.
Carmen has been at Westrum Optometry since October of 2014 and took over as our Office Manager in 2016. She enjoys helping everyone that comes through the door and likes to make all our patients feel welcomed. She is very knowledgeable in lens design and treatment options. In her spare time, Carmen enjoys taking road trips with her husband JP, their daughter Litzy, and their son Emiliano!
Yulisa has been with Westrum Optometry since April 2019. She strives to help people meet their vision needs by helping them find frames that suit their personality and make them feel comfortable. She is known to be orderly and efficient, which allows her to help you with your eye care needs and understand any/all services you receive. She and her husband, Alex have a son named Leovanni, who is the joy of their lives. When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs Kobe and Remy.
Dr. Jesse Westrum has been serving patients at Westrum Optometry since 2011. He has a bachelors degree from Emmaus Bible College. This was followed by his doctoral training at InterAmerican University School of Optometry. Jesse enjoys spending time with his family and friends and has a passion for the game of golf.
Education | Emmaus Bible College / InterAmerican University College of Optometry
Education: University of Iowa (B.A.), InterAmerican University College of Optometry, San Juan, Puerto Rico (O.D.)
Specialties and Services:
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Eye disease management
- Vision care for Spanish-speaking patients
About Dr. Joel Westrum
Dr. Joel Westrum is the co-founder of Westrum Optometry and has been serving the Des Moines community with exceptional eye care since 2006. Born and raised on a family farm near Stratford, IA, Dr. Westrum developed a deep appreciation for community service and hard work. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa before pursuing his Doctor of Optometry degree at InterAmerican University in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Following graduation, Dr. Westrum returned to Iowa and gained extensive experience working at Wolfe Clinic, where he further developed his expertise in comprehensive eye care and eye disease management. In 2006, he and his wife, Karime, established Westrum Optometry with a mission to provide inclusive, patient-centered care to individuals from all backgrounds. As a fluent Spanish speaker, Dr. Westrum is proud to offer bilingual services, ensuring his Spanish-speaking patients receive the same high-quality, personalized care as their English-speaking counterparts.
Dr. Westrum and his family—his wife Karime and their daughters Helena, Rose, and Dorothy—reside in the Gray’s Lake neighborhood. Deeply connected to the local community, Dr. Westrum finds joy in giving back through his involvement in various local initiatives and global outreach. A trip to Haiti allowed him to provide essential eye care and donate glasses to underserved populations, an experience that reinforced his commitment to helping others.
With nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Westrum continues to provide compassionate vision care to his patients, ensuring they receive the best possible vision solutions. He remains dedicated to building strong relationships within the Des Moines community and offering a welcoming environment for all.
Leslie has been with Westrum Optometry since November of 2016. She works with you on finding the perfect frame to suit your fit and style. In addition, she has been learning the necessary essentials of pre-testing patients. She'll greet you kindly as you walk through the door and will make sure you leave confident about your eye care experience. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family.
Olga has been with Westrum Optometry since January 2022. She specializes in helping you find the perfect frame that will fir you properly according to your personality. She will also take all necessary measurements in order to have exceptional top-quality lenses that will suit your lifestyle. She will gladly be able to answer any questions you might have from scheduling an eye exam appointment to helping you understand your insurance benefits. While not at work, She enjoys staying active and going to the gym. She also loves spending time with her husband , three sons and babygirl.
Susana has been with Westrum Optometry since April of 2011 where she specializes in patient care. Susana primarily works assisting the doctor with pre-testing and contact lens fittings. Additionally, in the last two years, she has been performing optical tomography for patients. Her friendly smile will always welcome you into Westrum Optometry, and she will gladly assist you with all your questions. Susana has a son named Jovanni. Susana speaks both English and Spanish.
Gris has been with Westrum Optometry since April of 2016. She took a new role as our Assistant Manager in 2019. Her first priority is always creating the best experience possible for our patients. She also specializes in frame inventory and patient care. In her free time Gris enjoys training at the gym and spending quality time with her 2 beautiful daughetr's.
Karime graduated from the University of Iowa in 2003 earning degrees in Art and Environmental Studies. After graduating from the University of Iowa, she worked at her father’s doctor's office in multiple capacities. Together, Karime and Joel opened Westrum Optometry in 2006. She has helped in building the office’s strong reputation by providing years of quality, dependable service to all patients and by building a friendly and kind name in the East Village. When she is not at the office, Karime spends much of her time at home raising their daughters, Helena, Rose, and Dorothy.
Education: Central College (B.A.), Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN (O.D.)
Specialties and Services:
- Primary care
- Myopia control
- Binocular vision dysfunction
- Vision therapy
- Diagnosis and treatment of eye injuries, infections, and diseases
About Dr. Samantha Thompson (Dr. Sami)
Dr. Samantha Thompson, known to her patients as Dr. Sami, is excited to return to her home state of Iowa to serve the community at Westrum Optometry. Raised in Knoxville, IA, Dr. Sami attended Central College, where she was an athlete on the women’s tennis team. After completing her undergraduate education, she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, in 2024.
Drawn to optometry for its unique opportunity to care for patients of all ages, Dr. Sami enjoys working closely with individuals to address their evolving vision needs throughout life. Her areas of expertise include primary eye care, myopia control, binocular vision dysfunction, vision therapy, and the diagnosis and treatment of eye injuries, infections, and diseases. She takes pride in offering personalized, comprehensive care to each of her patients, ensuring they receive the highest level of attention and treatment.
Outside of work, Dr. Sami enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Peter, and their two pets—a cat named Buddy and a dog named Bella. They recently moved to Johnston, where they are looking forward to getting involved in the local community. In her free time, Dr. Sami loves outdoor activities such as biking on Iowa’s scenic trails, playing tennis, pickleball, and sand volleyball. One of her personal goals is to visit all of America’s National Parks.
Dr. Sami looks forward to building lasting relationships with her patients and helping them achieve their best possible vision.
Eye Care for Every Member of Your Family
We want you and your family to have healthy vision and great vision care. From routine eye exams to specialized treatments, we are here to meet all your needs. What sets us apart is our personalized approach to eye care. We take the time to get to know you, listen to your concerns, and provide the individualized care your family deserves.
Westrum Optometry is proud to serve the residents of Des Moines and surrounding areas.
Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are the foundation of good eye health. Whether it’s your child’s first checkup or you are looking for adult eye care, we’ve got you covered.
Eye Disease Management
We can help if you have an eye condition like glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetes-related eye problems. Our team helps protect your vision and improve your quality of life.
Contact Lens Exams
The right contact lenses can make a big difference. We offer thorough contact lens exams and fittings to find lenses that match your needs. We also provide specialty lenses for conditions like keratoconus.
Des Moines, IA 50309
- Monday: 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Friday: 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
We’re Here for Your Family's Vision Needs
Schedule your eye exam!