Sally Mellgren, M.D
Passionate and unpretentious, Dr Mellgren is focused and precise in the operating room, and always open to new and improved technology to benefit her patients. Dr. Mellgren is one of only a few ophthalmologists in southern California who is a cataract surgeon trained in the subspecialty of interventional ophthalmology. Like inventional cardiologists who are trained to use catheter technology to open clogged arteries with angioplasty and stents in the heart, interventional ophthalmologists are eye specialists trained in performing Canaloplasty using similar micro-catheter technology to open and stent the natural filtration canal in the eye (Schlemm’s Canal). The O.R. staff enjoys her calm, sensitive manner and innovativeness. Patients appreciate their personalized care and the prayer before surgery.
Growing up in Carlsbad, California Sally enjoyed the outdoors which involved body surfing, surfing, golf and scuba diving which she was personally taught by her father, a retired Air Force Major and veteran of World War II. She was chosen by her teachers to represent her junior high school as the female recipient of the Valley Junior High School Award and was invited to be a member of Mensa.
In high school she was on the tennis team and was chosen to represent the school in the area of Science and Mathematics for a Bank of America Awards Competition. She completed high school in 3 years and pursued her childhood dream to be a physician through a Biochemistry degree in college and then a medical degree. She chose to specialize in Ophthalmology. Immediately afterward she started her own clinical practice of Ophthalmology which has been the passion of her work life in California for the past 20 years.
Dr. Mellgren specially enjoys organic gardening and tending her many roses with her mother’s inspiration and help. A closeness with nature is her re-creation and peace. She has a passion for spending time with her husband, Larry Hellmann, her best friend. He has an M.A. in English, Creative Writing and the classical languages as well as a J.D. He works with other attorneys in family law. He has a passion for cars, motorcycles and Dr. Mellgren.
A caring, down to earth professional Dr. Mellgren desires to enjoy, love and care for her patients.
Professional Profile
Medical School: 1983 Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
Residency: 1987 Ophthalmology - White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Medical Practice: 1987 to Present - G. M. Sally Mellgren MD, Inc. - Oceanside, California
Dr. Michael Long
Dr. Michael Long comes to our practice with over thirty years of experience as an optometrist in north county. A portion of that experience was as an optometry officer at Bethesda, MD and Camp Pendleton in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam era. He specializes in contact lenses and general optometry.
He has served his community as Boy Scout leader and committee director, member and president of service and business clubs and as member and director of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, member and chairman of Tri-City Hospital "Golf 'Fore' Your Heart" fund-raiser.
Dr. Long lives in Vista with his wife, Debbie, and their very spoiled miniature Schnauzer, Rudy. He and Debbie have two grown children, son Christopher and daughter, Stacey. They enjoy family get togethers and traveling. Golf is a real interest for Dr. Long--but, don't ask about his hole in one!
