The History of Suarez Optical

Our office was founded by Pablo A. Suarez. In 1955 Dr. Suarez graduated from the University of Havana, Cuba with a degree in optometry. He migrated to the United States and continued his education at Pacific University along with 7 other Cuban optometrists in 1961. After four years, he relocated to Florida and began making mark on optometry.

On April 1st 1971, Dr. Suarez began a small private optometric practice located at the intersection of 29th Ave and NW 7th St. He had big dreams of providing quality patient care and also supporting his growing family. He established a family practice of general optometry with specialties in contact lenses and vision therapy. A family practice could not be more appropriate of a name. His wife, Electra and his daughter Mayra worked along his side making sure the office ran smoothly. Soon thereafter, Mayra married, then patient, Richard Gonzalez and he eventually became a senior optician; a title that he holds to this day. Dr. Suarez had been a member of the Florida Optometric Association from 1971 to 2013. He was an active member in the optometric community always offering his help and support to other optometrists. He quickly became well-known for his honesty and good nature.

After 14 years, he relocated his office to Bird Road. With a new office he brought in a new employee, his son Pablo, to become the lab technician responsible for making all in house spectacles. Dr. Suarez stayed at this location for an additional 13 years, adding more family employees including his granddaughters Rosemary Gonzalez and Nathalie Gonzalez.

In 1998, Dr. Suarez moved his practice one final time to its present location at 8100 Coral Way. He carried on the tradition of family employees bringing in his other two granddaughters Melissa Suarez, and Stephanie Suarez. In 2004, Dr. Henry Vazquez joined the practice and, although he did not know it at the time, he would eventually become family after marrying Nathalie in 2007. Meanwhile, Rosemary, who left to Chicago in 2001 to attend optometry school, rejoined the office in 2006 as a licensed optometrist. 

Everything was going well for the family and the practice for years until Dr. Pablo A. Suarez, unfortunately, lost his battle with ALS on August 18, 2013. He left the office in the capable hands of Drs. Carrera and Vazquez, who carried on for the following 5 years. But unfortunately, tragedy struck again in 2018 when Dr. Carrera was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was aggressive with her treatment and was fortunately able to fight off the cancer and is currently in remission. Rosemary is now fully committed to helping other cancer patients through her non-profit organization: 305 Pink Pack.

Although we miss Rosemary dearly at the office, we are lucky enough to have Dr. Daniel Franco join the office and help continue our pursuit of Dr. Suarez's mission and legacy. A legacy of unrivaled quality patient care and attention to detail; a commitment to excellence in every aspect of our jobs; and an unrelenting dedication to making Suarez Optical a model vision care center and the premier destination for eye care.