Physicians

Jason W. Dimmig M.D.

Dr. Dimmig specializes in cataract and glaucoma surgery. He is performing premium intraocular lens surgery with the latest technologies that can limit need for glasses after cataract surgery. He has 20 years of experience with glaucoma surgeries, including trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage devices. He also performs MIGS (microinvasive glaucoma surgery) regularly with his cataract surgeries to help lower intraocular pressure including the iStent.

Dr. Dimmig has been volunteering in the 3rd world every 1-2 years. From 2007-2011 he was working in Guatemala on 3 different surgical outreach trips. Starting in 2012 he now volunteers with the Himalayan Cataract Project and their work in Ethiopia. Dr. Dimmig has volunteered his time with the Oregon Academy of Ophthalmology for the past 12 years, and is a current board member. He was president of the Oregon Academy of Ophthalmology from 2014-2016.

In his spare time, Dr. Dimmig enjoys biking, skiing, and climbing. He and his wife Christy now spend most of their free time with their son, Bodie and daughter, Sela.

James T. Banta, M.D.

Dr. Banta was born, raised and educated in Oklahoma. He compiled numerous awards throughout his education including Phi Beta Kappa as an undergrad and Alpha Omega Alpha as a medical student.  After completing an ophthalmology residency at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, he remained on the faculty there for 15 years. He was voted Professor of the Year in 2018. He has authored over 28 book chapters and numerous scientific publications. 

He has served the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) as Chairman of the Practicing Ophthalmolgists’ Curriculum (POC), Cataract section, for the last 6 years and has served as an oral board examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology since 2008. He is a recipient of the AAO’s Achievement and Secretariat awards.  

Dr. Banta has performed over 17,000 cataract surgeries and has taught cataract surgery around the
country. He has expertise in complex forms of cataract surgery including patients with a previous history of trauma, eye surgery or eye inflammation. Dr. Banta also performs pterygium surgery, intraocular lens exchange and anterior segment reconstruction.

Dr. Banta most enjoys spending time with his wife, Andrea, and their two boys Wyatt and Luke. He is an avid fly fisherman and loves antique radios, flags and maps.

Stephanie B. Hoatson, M.D.

Dr. Hoatson was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, but had early roots in Central Oregon. Growing up, she spent summers vacationing near Sisters. After graduating from the University of Central Florida she attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine where she graduated Alpha Omega Alpha. With Loma Linda’s focus on ‘Whole Person Care’ she chose to complete her Ophthalmology residency there as well. She then moved back to Florida, enjoying a busy practice and her extended family.

Dr. Hoatson specializes in cataract surgery, including premium intraocular lens. These specialty lenses allow patients to achieve more ‘glasses independence’ post operatively. She embraces a team approach and works side by side with her patients to attain the best outcomes. As a comprehensive Ophthalmologist she also diagnoses and manages conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Dr. Hoatson looks forward to joining the team at Bend Ophthalmology on their mission trips/outreach programs to underserved countries.

In her spare time, Dr. Hoatson enjoys water sports, hiking, and snow skiing. She has always considered Central Oregon her ‘happy place’ and is thrilled to settle down in Bend with her spouse and three children. 

Darcy C. Balcer, O.D.

Darcy Balcer is originally from Wichita, Kansas. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Wichita State University in 2002. She then went on to complete her optometric education at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2006. Since that time, she has been living in Bend, Oregon with her husband, Graham and two children.

Prior to joining Bend Ophthalmology, she practiced for eight years at Bend Memorial Clinic. Dr. Balcer enjoys the variety that practicing optometry brings, from pediatrics to contact lenses to treating ocular disease. She enjoys connecting with her patients on a personal level and establishing relationships that last for years.

Outside of work, Darcy enjoys running and hiking. She also spends her spare time reading, gardening, and cooking. Although she loves living in Central Oregon with all its beauty, she has an avid interest in traveling and exploring the world.

Nancy M. Bonetto, O.D.

Nancy McKrell Bonetto graduated from Southern California College of Optometry In 1997 and practiced for nearly a decade at the Bend Memorial Clinic. Nancy took a couple years away from full time practice to help raise her three children.

Nancy enjoys all aspects of optometry and ophthalmology. She has particular interest in specialty contact lenses like multifocals and sclerals. Nancy finds fitting specialty lenses gratifying because patients really appreciate improved vision, function and comfort. International eyecare is also an important part of Nancy's life. Since 2007, she has enjoyed working with Hospital de la Familia as part of the Bend medical team that provides comprehensive ophthalmologic care in Nuevo Progreso, Guatemala.

When not seeing patients at Bend Ophthalmology, Nancy is compelled by a full life with her husband, Michael and 3 children, Nate, Ben, and Kate . Nancy feels very fortunate that she gets to call Central Oregon her home and enjoys all things it has to offer, including skiing and mountain biking.