Dr. Dan Yoakum, a native of Indiana, moved to Raleigh in 1985. He graduated cum laude from NC State with a Bachelors degree in Microbiology and a minor in Genetics. He attended the prestigious Pennsylvania College of Optometry where he graduated in 1995 with Clinical Honors. He completed general Optometric externships at Quantico Naval base and Hahnemann University School of Medicine, and a Pediatric externship at The Eye Institute of Philadelphia. Dr. Yoakum has been practicing as a licensed Optometrist in Wake Forest for over 15 years. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and NC State Optometric Society.

A father of four, Dr. Yoakum devotes most of his free time to his family. He is involved with his children's sporting activities and his son's scout troop where he serves as Assistant Scout Master. He is also active in his church and the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Yoakum enjoys training and competing in Triathlons with his wife, as well as hiking, reading and cheering for NC State.