Physicians

An Ophthalmologist (Eye MD) is a doctor who has
received graduate training in a medical school and then sub-specialized in eye care. They can do routine eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, diagnose eye diseases, prescribe all types of medications, and do eye surgery.

An Optometrist is a doctor who has received graduate training in an optometry school. They can do routine eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, diagnose eye diseases and prescribe some types of medications. However, they are not medical doctors.

Pablo Arregui, M.D.

Dr. Arregui received his B.A. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of California at San Diego, where he was active in research and awarded the California Regents Scholarship. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1988, and went on to complete an internship in Internal Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His residency in Ophthalmology was completed at Scott and White Memorial /Texas A & M Medical School. In addition, Dr. Arregui accepted a commission in the United States Navy and served as assistant department head for the Department of Ophthalmology at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia. He was one of only three military ophthalmologists allowed to do refractive surgery. His talent and expertise were recognized by Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he was named Associate Professor of Ophthalmology for residents in training. Dr. Arregui joined Chico Eye Center in 1996, where his gift for surgery is evident on a daily basis. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, with a long list of affiliations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Arregui resides in Chico with his wife and daughter.

Benjamin N. Gilbert, M.D.

Dr. Gilbert graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1983 with a B.S. in Chemistry and Electrical Engineering. After serving in the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Platoon Leader, he attended Georgetown University School of Medicine. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and graduated in 1989. Dr. Gilbert completed an Internal Medicine internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and served as a General Medical Officer and Flight Surgeon in Germany and Iraq. Returning to the US, he completed an Ophthalmology residency at Madigan Army Medical Center from 1992 to 1995. He then served as a staff ophthalmologist at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and as Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina. He helped plan and coordinate the development of the Army’s first refractive surgery center, where he performed PRK and LASIK surgery on Special Operations soldiers. Dr. Gilbert is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is an instrument rated private pilot and resides in Chico with his wife, Dr. Vally Gilbert, and their four children.

Heidi Houlihan, M.D.

Dr. Houlihan graduated from Swarthmore College, PA., with a B.A. in Psychology before continuing on to California State University, L.A. to do post baccalaureate work in preparation for medical school. She was accepted to Temple University School of Medicine and graduated with honors, going on to do an internship in Internal Medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital, PA. Dr. Houlihan did her residency at University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor MI where she was Chief Resident. Dr. Houlihan is also board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Her professional associations include the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. She has now made Chico her home with her husband and two children.

Tom Seely, O.D.

Dr. Seely received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis. His professional training was completed at the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry. His military experience includes service in the US Air Force and the US Navy. He retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of Commander. He has maintained his professional affiliations with the California and American Optometric Associations. Dr. Seely has lived in Chico since 1982 with his wife and his daughter. Skiing, flying and motorcycling are among his interests outside of work.

David Clarke, O.D.

Dr. Clarke attended Carroll College in Helena Montana, where he earned his B.S. degree in Biology. He went on to attend Optometry School at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, graduating in 1999. Dr. Clarke spent three years as an officer in the Commission Corps, working with the Indian Health Service on a Hopi Indian reservation in Arizona. He has also served as adjunct professor for both Pacific University of Optometry and the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Clarke is a member of both the California and American Optometric Associations. In 2003 he and his wife, a native of Chico, moved to the North State to raise their three children. Dr. Clarke is also an avid fly fisherman and enjoys exploring the many rivers and lakes of Northern California.