Doctors
Our Advanced Eye Care Professionals Are What Makes Us Special!
Meet the experienced and friendly doctors and staff who make Black Diamond Eye Care the leading provider of vision care services and vision care products in Castle Pines and Castle Rock, Colorado.
- Dr. Jason Ortman
- Dr. Niki Bayat
- Dr. Taylor Hall
- Dr. Rachel Hasler
- Dr. Crystal Liu
- Dr. Scott McKim
- Dr. Courtney Putnam
Dr. Jason Ortman came to Colorado in 2001 to ski, as his native Northeast Ohio did not satisfy that interest well. After falling in love with Colorado, he realized his dream and purchased Castle Pines Eye Care in 2007.
Dr. Ortman graduated from Indiana University with Bachelor of Science in Biology. After a gap year spent working for his childhood eye doctor, he enrolled at The Ohio State University College of Optometry and received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2000. In school, he was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa Honorary Fraternity and was also honored with the Corning Low Vision Award. After graduating, he completed a residency in ocular disease and hospital-based optometry at the New Mexico Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque.
In addition to primary eye care, Dr. Ortman specializes in hard-to-fit specialty contact lenses, contact lens related myopia management, and ocular disease.
He has enjoyed working with several non-profit groups providing eye care in Guyana, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, China, Zambia, Cambodia, and here in Colorado. Dr. Ortman served on the Board of Trustees for the Colorado Optometric Association and is a member of the Third Party Executive Committee for the American Optometric Association and was honored with the AOA’s Payor Advocacy Award in 2023.
In 2010, he was honored as the Colorado Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year. In 2013, he was among the first optometrists nationwide to earn board certification and became a Diplomat of the American Board of Optometry.
In 2017, Castle Pines Eye Care (now Black Diamond Eye Care) was honored with the Coopervision Best Practices Award.
Dr. Ortman has also devoted his time to supporting the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, since its founding in 2007. He has served on the board on two separate occasions and served as President of the Board in 2019. In 2012, he was honored as the Castle Pines Businessperson of the Year and in 2022, was awarded the Castle Pines Small Business of the Year.
Dr. Niki Bayat specializes in primary care, pediatric eye care, and ocular disease management.
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Dr. Bayat graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University before earning her Doctorate from the New England College of Optometry in Boston. Her passion for optometry was sparked during her high school co-operative education placement, where she worked with visually impaired students. Today, Dr. Bayat is dedicated to preserving and maximizing vision for patients of all ages.
Her clinical experience spans various settings, including VA medical centers, community health centers, and private practice. During her clinical rotations in Massachusetts, Oregon, California, and Florida, she had the privilege of working with diverse patient populations, gaining valuable insights into their unique health needs. She received extensive training in low vision, contact lenses, and the detection and treatment of ocular diseases.
In her free time, Dr. Bayat enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. While Canada will always hold a special place in her heart, she is excited to call Colorado her new home and looks forward to exploring the area.
Dr. Taylor Hall specializes in comprehensive eye exams, pediatric eye care, and ocular disease detection and management.
Dr. Hall completed her bachelors in Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, graduating cum laude. Afterwards, she earned her Doctor of Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, graduating magna cum laude. Prior to starting optometry school she worked for nearly two years as an optometric technician at a group practice in Blacksburg, Virginia.
She started her optometric career in Omaha, Nebraska with her fiancé and has recently been called back to the mountains as she moved to the Colorado Springs area. Along with providing patient centered care in office, she also extends her passion for the field to help prepare optometry students for their national board examination.
Dr. Hall was born in Canton, Ohio and grew up in Winchester, Virginia. While in optometry school, she volunteered with the Villanova Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program and also provided vision screenings at Philadelphia’s Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Centers and the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy. Now, as a recent transplant to the area, she’s currently looking for opportunities to give back and get involved in the community.
When she’s not in the office, Dr. Hall enjoys reading, traveling, training in the gym, and spending time outdoors with her pets.
Dr. Hasler enjoys Primary Care, Ocular Disease Management, Specialty Contact Management, and Myopia Management.
Born and raised in south central Wisconsin Dr. Rachel Hasler attended the University of Iowa where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences. Inspired by her father and grandfather – both Optometrists in her home town – she followed in their footsteps and attended the Illinois College of Optometry and received her Doctorate in Optometry.
While she was a student Dr. Hasler was an active member of the Contact Lens Society, American Optometric Student Association, Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society and the Tomb and Key Society. On graduation Dr. Hasler received a Valedictory award and a Certification of Commendation for her outstanding score on the National Optometry Board Examination.
Dr. Hasler’s training included rotations at the VA Medical Center in Rhode Island, the Cornea and Contact Lens Institute of Minnesota and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. After completing her degree, Dr. Hasler completed a year long residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at the Illinois College Of Optometry. During that residency she received special training in the treatment and management of advanced ocular disease including urgent ocular problems.
Dr. Hasler enjoys Primary Care, Ocular Disease Management, Specialty Contact Management, and Myopia Management.
Dr. Crystal Liu, born and raised in southern Colorado, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology from the University of Colorado Denver. She then earned her Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, gaining extensive clinical experience in ocular disease management, dry eye treatment, and fitting contact lenses through externships in Southern California and Pennsylvania. Dr. Liu was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society, the National Optometric Student Association, and the Lions Club.
Beyond her academic achievements, she enjoyed volunteering with Remote Area Medical, at Wills Eye Hospital for Give Kids Sight Day, Villanova’s Special Olympics, and elementary schools throughout the Philadelphia community. Following her graduation, Dr. Liu completed a residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia, where she gained significant experience in treating a diverse range of anterior and posterior ocular diseases, such as dry eye, keratoconus, glaucoma, and various retinal conditions.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Liu enjoys exploring Denver’s restaurant scene, experimenting with new recipes, traveling, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Originally from Mallard, Iowa, Dr. McKim attended Iowa State University before earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Following graduation, he entered the Air Force with an assignment to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. He served 23 years in the Air Force, with nine assignments across the United States and overseas, including the Air Force Academy, Germany and Japan, before retiring from service in 2018. After leaving the Air Force, he practiced in Florida for four years before he and his wife, Dr. Lisa McKim, returned to Colorado in 2022.
Dr. McKim has two adult children and enjoys spending his free time with family, being outdoors, traveling, and watching soccer.
Dr. Putnam grew up in Marietta, Georgia where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Kennesaw State University. She then received her Doctorate of Optometry from University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in 2015.
During optometry school, Dr. Putnam realized she was passionate about refractive surgery and treating ocular disease, which led her to seek out and complete a residency at one of the Southeast’s largest LASIK Clinics, Woolfson Eye Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. During her residency, she specialized in pre/post-operative LASIK care, and evaluating and managing numerous eye diseases such as glaucoma,
macular degeneration, cataracts, corneal disorders, and diabetic eye disease. Dr. Putnam has always placed tremendous value on the patient experience and quality of care, which is the primary focus of Black Diamond Eye Care.
Dr. Putnam is actively involved in the Colorado Optometric Association, holds a leadership position on the Young Optometric Professionals Committee, and completed an optometric leadership program with the Colorado Optometric Association. Dr. Putnam was also involved in an optometric mission trip to Costa Rica and has hopes to visit other countries in the future to provide eye care to rural areas.
As she has always had a passion for the outdoors, she decided to move to Denver, CO in 2016 where she could spend her free time hiking, biking, skiing, and exploring the beautiful state of Colorado with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
Dr. Jason Ortman
Dr. Jason Ortman came to Colorado in 2001 to ski, as his native Northeast Ohio did not satisfy that interest well. After falling in love with Colorado, he realized his dream and purchased Castle Pines Eye Care in 2007.
Dr. Ortman graduated from Indiana University with Bachelor of Science in Biology. After a gap year spent working for his childhood eye doctor, he enrolled at The Ohio State University College of Optometry and received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2000. In school, he was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa Honorary Fraternity and was also honored with the Corning Low Vision Award. After graduating, he completed a residency in ocular disease and hospital-based optometry at the New Mexico Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque.
In addition to primary eye care, Dr. Ortman specializes in hard-to-fit specialty contact lenses, contact lens related myopia management, and ocular disease.
He has enjoyed working with several non-profit groups providing eye care in Guyana, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, China, Zambia, Cambodia, and here in Colorado. Dr. Ortman served on the Board of Trustees for the Colorado Optometric Association and is a member of the Third Party Executive Committee for the American Optometric Association and was honored with the AOA’s Payor Advocacy Award in 2023.
In 2010, he was honored as the Colorado Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year. In 2013, he was among the first optometrists nationwide to earn board certification and became a Diplomat of the American Board of Optometry.
In 2017, Castle Pines Eye Care (now Black Diamond Eye Care) was honored with the Coopervision Best Practices Award.
Dr. Ortman has also devoted his time to supporting the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, since its founding in 2007. He has served on the board on two separate occasions and served as President of the Board in 2019. In 2012, he was honored as the Castle Pines Businessperson of the Year and in 2022, was awarded the Castle Pines Small Business of the Year.
Dr. Niki Bayat
Dr. Niki Bayat specializes in primary care, pediatric eye care, and ocular disease management.
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Dr. Bayat graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University before earning her Doctorate from the New England College of Optometry in Boston. Her passion for optometry was sparked during her high school co-operative education placement, where she worked with visually impaired students. Today, Dr. Bayat is dedicated to preserving and maximizing vision for patients of all ages.
Her clinical experience spans various settings, including VA medical centers, community health centers, and private practice. During her clinical rotations in Massachusetts, Oregon, California, and Florida, she had the privilege of working with diverse patient populations, gaining valuable insights into their unique health needs. She received extensive training in low vision, contact lenses, and the detection and treatment of ocular diseases.
In her free time, Dr. Bayat enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. While Canada will always hold a special place in her heart, she is excited to call Colorado her new home and looks forward to exploring the area.
Dr. Taylor Hall
Dr. Taylor Hall specializes in comprehensive eye exams, pediatric eye care, and ocular disease detection and management.
Dr. Hall completed her bachelors in Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech, graduating cum laude. Afterwards, she earned her Doctor of Optometry from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, graduating magna cum laude.
Prior to starting optometry school she worked for nearly two years as an optometric technician at a group practice in Blacksburg, Virginia. She started her optometric career in Omaha, Nebraska with her fiancé and has recently been called back to the mountains as she moved to the Colorado Springs area.
Along with providing patient centered care in office, she also extends her passion for the field to help prepare optometry students for their national board examination.
Dr. Hall was born in Canton, Ohio and grew up in Winchester, Virginia. While in optometry school, she volunteered with the Villanova Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program and also provided vision screenings at Philadelphia’s Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Centers and the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy. Now, as a recent transplant to the area, she’s currently looking for opportunities to give back and get involved in the community.
When she’s not in the office, Dr. Hall enjoys reading, traveling, training in the gym, and spending time outdoors with her pets.
Dr. Hasler enjoys Primary Care, Ocular Disease Management, Specialty Contact Management, and Myopia Management.
Dr. Rachel Hasler
Born and raised in south central Wisconsin Dr. Rachel Hasler attended the University of Iowa where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences. Inspired by her father and grandfather – both Optometrists in her home town – she followed in their footsteps and attended the Illinois College of Optometry and received her Doctorate in Optometry.
While she was a student Dr. Hasler was an active member of the Contact Lens Society, American Optometric Student Association, Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society and the Tomb and Key Society. On graduation Dr. Hasler received a Valedictory award and a Certification of Commendation for her outstanding score on the National Optometry Board Examination.
Dr. Hasler’s training included rotations at the VA Medical Center in Rhode Island, the Cornea and Contact Lens Institute of Minnesota and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. After completing her degree, Dr. Hasler completed a year long residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at the Illinois College Of Optometry. During that residency she received special training in the treatment and management of advanced ocular disease including urgent ocular problems.
Dr. Hasler enjoys Primary Care, Ocular Disease Management, Specialty Contact Management, and Myopia Management.
Dr. Crystal Liu
Dr. Crystal Liu, born and raised in southern Colorado, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology from the University of Colorado Denver. She then earned her Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, gaining extensive clinical experience in ocular disease management, dry eye treatment, and fitting contact lenses through externships in Southern California and Pennsylvania. Dr. Liu was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society, the National Optometric Student Association, and the Lions Club.
Beyond her academic achievements, she enjoyed volunteering with Remote Area Medical, at Wills Eye Hospital for Give Kids Sight Day, Villanova’s Special Olympics, and elementary schools throughout the Philadelphia community. Following her graduation, Dr. Liu completed a residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia, where she gained significant experience in treating a diverse range of anterior and posterior ocular diseases, such as dry eye, keratoconus, glaucoma, and various retinal conditions.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Liu enjoys exploring Denver’s restaurant scene, experimenting with new recipes, traveling, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Dr. Hasler is excited to join the Castle Pines Eye Care team and to spend her free time exploring her new home in Colorado.
Dr. Scott McKim
Originally from Mallard, Iowa, Dr. McKim attended Iowa State University before earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Following graduation, he entered the Air Force with an assignment to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. He served 23 years in the Air Force, with nine assignments across the United States and overseas, including the Air Force Academy, Germany and Japan, before retiring from service in 2018. After leaving the Air Force, he practiced in Florida for four years before he and his wife, Dr. Lisa McKim, returned to Colorado in 2022.
Dr. McKim has two adult children and enjoys spending his free time with family, being outdoors, traveling, and watching soccer.
Dr. Courtney Putnam
Dr. Putnam grew up in Marietta, Georgia where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Kennesaw State University. She then received her Doctorate of Optometry from University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in 2015.
During optometry school, Dr. Putnam realized she was passionate about refractive surgery and treating ocular disease, which led her to seek out and complete a residency at one of the Southeast’s largest LASIK Clinics, Woolfson Eye Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. During her residency, she specialized in pre/post-operative LASIK care, and evaluating and managing numerous eye diseases such as glaucoma,
macular degeneration, cataracts, corneal disorders, and diabetic eye disease. Dr. Putnam has always placed tremendous value on the patient experience and quality of care, which is the primary focus of Black Diamond Eye Care.
Dr. Putnam is actively involved in the Colorado Optometric Association, holds a leadership position on the Youn
g Optometric Professionals Committee, and completed an optometric leadership program with the Colorado Optometric Association. Dr. Putnam was also involved in an optometric mission trip to Costa Rica and has hopes to visit other countries in the future to provide eye care to rural areas.
As she has always had a passion for the outdoors, she decided to move to Denver, CO in 2016 where she could spend her free time hiking, biking, skiing, and exploring the beautiful state of Colorado with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
Our Team of Doctors
Dr. Jason Ortman
Optometrist
Dr. Niki Bayat
Optometrist
Dr. Taylor Hall
Optometrist
Dr. Rachel Hasler
Optometrist
Dr. Crystal Liu
Optometrist
Dr. Scott McKim
Optometrist
Dr. Courtney Putnam
Optometrist
Castle Rock, CO 80109
Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Lakewood, CO 80215
Fri: 8:30am – 5:00pm