Our Doctors

Dr. Daniel M. Gold
Dr. Michelle Cunningham
Dr. Jumah T. Absy


Dr. Daniel M. Gold has been caring for the eyes of East Texas since 1988. Dr. Gold is a graduate of the University of California and received his medical training at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. During that time, he received numerous honors. He is currently a member of Texas Medical Association, Texas Ophthalmology Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Christian Medical Society and other prestigious organizations. Dr. Gold has served on numerous international teams offering teaching and medical care in many foreign countries. He has participated with medical mission projects in Honduras, Armenia, North Iraq, West Africa and Romania, Lebanon, and Cyria. Dr. Gold has served as project coordinator or consultant with Christian Medical Society, Mercy Ships, Medical Ministry International and Baptist Medical Missions. Dr. Gold has been a leader in bringing the most modern ophthalmic microsurgical techniques to the citizens of Anderson and surrounding counties. He was the first to introduce small-incision, stitchless cataract surgery and performed the first corneal transplant in Anderson County. This may have been the first organ transplant of any kind in this county. Dr. Gold performed the first laser eye treatments in Palestine in 1989. Dr. Gold offers a wide range of surgical care. His diversified experience ranges from LASIK, Radial Keratotomy (RK), cataract surgery and various cosmetic procedures. With a professional attitude and a tremendous caring manner, Dr. Gold and his staff in Palestine offer innovative procedures, advanced technology and experience to all of East Texas. Return

Dr. Michelle Cunningham received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in 1990 and her doctorate degree from The University of Houston in 1994. During that time, she received many leadership awards and was elected Outstanding Optometry Student by her peers. A sixth generation Texan coming from the central Texas area, Dr. Cunningham had a private practice for seven years and worked for the Veteran’s Healthcare System for three years. She is highly trained and eager to serve in the following areas: Routine eye exams for glasses and contacts Specialized contact lens fits Pediatric eye exams Low vision Diabetic eye exams Glaucoma diagnosis and treatment Conjunctivitis/red eyes Foreign body removal You may make an appointment to see Dr. Cunningham in the Gold Eye Clinic located at the Cherokee Center / 1400 West 6th Street in Rusk. Please call 903 683 4973. Dr. Cunningham is married to Dr. Casey Cunningham, an oncologist with the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. They reside in Jacksonville with their three boys. Other interests of Dr. Cunningham include youth and music ministry. She plays guitar, flute, piano and sings with a world-renowned barbershop chorus in Dallas. In her free time, she likes reading, scrap-booking, animals and sports. Return

Dr. Jumah T. Absy received his degree in Optometry from the University of Houston in 2006. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1999. Prior to starting his optometry degree, he worked three years in business and worked in the lab on a cancer research project at Eppley Research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He offers the following services: Routine eye exams for glasses and contacts Specialized contact lens fits Low vision Diabetic eye exams Glaucoma diagnosis and treatment Conjunctivitis/red eyes Foreign body removal Dr. Absy is committed to providing high quality vision care and he feels honored to be able to improve his patients' lives in that process. Among his accomplishments, he has co-authored a glaucoma report, “The Normal Neural-Retinal Rim”, which was published in “The Journal of Optometry” and presented at the American Academy of Optometry 2005 Conference in San Diego, CA. Dr. Absy has volunteered in many ways, including traveling to Honduras to provide free eye care for remote villages. He also conducts vision screenings for the public. Other interests of Dr. Absy include playing sports and he has been a soccer and basketball coach since 2004. He has been married for over 10 years to his wife, Linda, who is a marketing professional. They have 3 sons, Malick and twins Jad and Zade. Return