Murrieta Doctor Reaps Congressional, Local Recognition

More than 21 years ago, Dr. Thomas LoBue drove to Southwest Riverside County to check out a practice that was for sale in Lake Elsinore.

"I had this feeling this was where I was supposed to be and six months later, I bought the practice," LoBue told a crowd who gathered Friday in Murrieta as he received a Congressional Certificate of Recognition from U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa's office.

He used his life savings to purchase the practice, and went on to become the first doctor to perform laser surgery in the Temecula Valley. LoBue Laser & Eye Medical Centers now include offices in Murrieta, Temecula and French Valley.

Longtime patients, local officials, employees and family members gathered in the courtyard of his Murrieta practice for the certificate presentation. Among those on hand to thank LoBue for his "excellence in business and service to the community" were Murrieta Mayor Randon Lane and Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, Third District.

Stone thanked LoBue on a personal level for helping his wife overcome a serious palsy that she acquired after the couple was involved in a motorcycle accident five years ago.

"LoBue is the first person we sought out," Stone said. "And now she drives again."

LoBue's office in Murrieta has 35 employees, from office clerks to accomplished surgeons--one of whom is the Lasik surgeon for the San Diego Chargers.

Lane spoke of the value of local employers such as LoBue.

"Murrieta is at an unemployment rate of 8.8 (percent), and we are able to achieve that by employers like LoBue," said Mayor Lane. "I will continue to work for businesses like this to stay here."

Gina Cameron, 25, an insurance verifier, has worked at LoBue's Murrieta office for a total of five years. She said she started right out of high school, then left, but has been back for two years now.

"He is just always smiling and saying 'hi' to all the staff and making sure we are always taken care of," Cameron said.

LoBue Laser & Eye Medical Centers specialize in cataract lens-implant surgery, all-laser Lasik, glaucoma, dry eye, cornea/external diseases, retina services and oculoplastics. The practices also provide optometry, optical and hearing services.

Longtime patients Pete and Jo Lecko, residents of The Colony in Murrieta, have been seeing LoBue for more than 20 years.

Pete, 87, starting having eye problems in his 30s, progressing into glaucoma and cataracts. He underwent cataract surgery with LoBue four years ago.

"Dr. LoBue called him his miracle patient because he wasn't sure if it was going to work, but Pete told him he is the miracle," Jo said.

LoBue said he is becoming more convinced overall nutrition is tied to ocular health, and said macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in those 65 and older.

Beyond his practice, LoBue supports local schools and organizations. He organizes school diabetic and vision screenings, and donated funds for a new women's tennis court at Linfield Christian School in Temecula. He also regularly supports the Hanson House Foundation, which provides a home away from home for families of the critically ill or injured.

Soon, he will travel with a team of 20 surgeons to Fiji, where for five days he says they will focus on performing crucial surgeries for the native population--free of cost.