Dr. Poppell is a board certified Ophthalmologist and the Medical Director and founder of the Emerald Coast Eye Institute-one of the most rapidly growing and progressive eye care facilities in the South. Dr. Poppell's unique Background brings experience in many different areas of eye surgery including cataract with intraocular lens implant, corneal transplant, refractive surgery (RK, PRK, LASIK), glaucoma, oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery of the eyelids), pediatric and laser surgery.

Upon receiving his BS degree from the United States Air Force Academy, Dr. Poppell completed his medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas graduating with honors. After medical school, Dr. Poppell completed his eye surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin (Marquette University), Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His fellowship or advanced studies were in corneal transplant surgery and external diseases at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami. Since these programs of study were conducted under a full scholarship from the United States Air Force, Dr. Poppell was assigned Chief of Ophthalmology, Wright Patterson USAF Medical Center, Ohio from 1982-1991.

During this time Dr. Poppell continued to publish, travel extensively, and advance his skills in microsurgical techniques, mastering the art of sutureless cataract surgery. As an assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Wright State University Medical School and attending surgeon at the Veterans Hospital, he instructed medical students and taught ophthalmology residents in the latest advances in eye surgery.