HereTheyCome - Review of Optometry€¦ · will be tremendously valuable. It’s important to...

June 2010

SUPPLEMENT TO

Women In OptometryWomen In Optometry

Dedicated to the interests of women ODs

Here They Come

Tiffany Chan, ODUCB

Brent Collins, ODSCO

Amélie Pelletier, ODU. of Montreal

Ann

The Class of 2010 contributes to the shifting demographics of the profession

Amy Knapke, ODOSU

Lauren Goldsmith, ODSCO

Saurin Patel, ODSUNY

Maren Smithgall, ODSUNY

Matthew Walsh, ODNOVA SE

Ruhee Dhalla, ODICO

Marc Lay, ODSUNY

Kelly Abbott, ODMCO-FSU

Sherita Seward-Brown, ODPCO-SU

Chad Linsley, ODMCO-FSU

Meghan Elkins, ODSCO

Drew Hoffman, ODIU

Khanh Nghi Trinh, ODPCO-SU

Alesha Jensen, ODSCCO

Claudia Calogero, ODSUNY

Tyson Allard, ODNSU-OCO

Aundria Lear, ODUAB

Mar

Jamie McKenzie, ODIAUPR

Michelle DePeau, ODIU

Niki Henriksen, ODICO

Grant Hardan, ODSCCO

Lauren Ernst, ODOSU

Patty Oh, ODUCB

Erin Witte, ODMCO-FSU

er, OD Jamie Gold, ODUMSL

Efren Gomez, ODICO

Brianne Hobbs, ODUMSL

Travis Zigler, ODOSU

Sarah Gallagher, ODNSU-OCO

Elior Sandroussy, ODU. of Montreal

Jes

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:54 AM

Here’s to the class of 2010!As these newly graduated

optometrists begin a new phaseof their lives, they also reflect

the evolution of optometry. In fact, it’s remarkable how much has changedin the past 20 years: prescribing privileges, managed care, HIPAA rules,computerization and automation, shifting practice modes, new productdevelopment and, of course, the changing face ofthe profession. What hasn’t changed is the dedi-cation of the people who select optometry astheir life’s work.

Optometry school has never been easy.Today, students need to gain clinical knowledgeas well as business skills. The graduates whospoke with Women In Optometry about theirfuture plans feel like they’re up to the task. Andthe GPA chart to the right, reflecting a generalincrease in overall GPAs, shows that the studentscoming into optometry school understand theacademic challenge. These are no slouches; theyare eager and determined to make a difference.

That determination is seen in other storiesin this issue as well. Dr. Nikki Iravani haslaunched an iPhone app that can bring the mes-sage about eye health to every corner of theworld. Dr. Joan Kaplow and Dr. Melinda Cano-Howes talk about the diversions along the way, acommon theme in our survey, too. All ODs—menand women alike—balance the demands on theirtime and skills between patient care and optome-try and the other things that are important tothem. But that’s what keeps it interesting.

Marjolijn Bijlefeld

Marjolijn BijlefeldManaging Editor

Comments on Women In Optometry can be sent to [email protected] or fax 540-242-3438

JUNE 2010

Women In Optometry is published quarterly by the Professional Publications Group ofJobson Medical Information, publisher of Review of Optometry, Review of Cornea &

Contact Lenses and Review of Ophthalmology.

Sponsors:Allergan • CIBA VISION • Marchon • Review of Optometry

Address advertising inquiries to Pete McMenamin, advertising productionmanager, Jobson Professional Publications Group,

11 Campus Blvd., Suite 100, Newtown Square, PA 19073, [email protected] or call 610-492-1011.

Naheed Ahmad, ODRoswell, Ga.

Louise Sclafani, OD,FAAOChicago, Ill.

Charlotte Tlachac,OD, FAAOAlameda, Calif.

Publisher: Al Greco Executive Editor: Roger MummertManaging Editor: Marjolijn BijlefeldAssistant Editor: Maggie BiunnoCreative Director: Stephanie Kloos DonoghueGraphic Designer: Barbara W. Gallois

WO Advisory Panel

Ann M. Hoscheit, ODGastonia, N.C.

Elise Brisco, OD,FAAOLos Angeles, Calif.

Kimberly K.Friedman, ODMoorestown, N.J.

Shout Out

BraveNew World Trends in

Optometry School GPAs

Women In Optometry June 2010

Page 3

Enrollment statistics from North American schools and colleges ofoptometry show that the average GPA of incoming classes gener-ally has been rising during the past decade. Coincidentally, overthe same period, the percentage of women in these classes gen-erally has risen. The schools don’t publish GPA trends broken

down by gender, however. WO

2001-2002 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.

School GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA

IAUPR 2.80 2.90 3.05 3.05 3.00 3.08 3.20 3.05 3.10ICO 3.23 3.15 3.25 3.25 3.31 3.34 3.39 3.39 3.44IU 3.40 3.42 3.46 3.24 3.49 3.46 3.48 3.49 3.50MCO-FSU 3.45 3.43 3.42 3.30 3.33 3.56 3.55 3.54 3.43MU-AZCO — — — — — — — — 3.18NECO 3.12 3.12 3.19 3.17 3.25 3.26 3.32 3.34 3.36NOVA SE 3.20 3.30 3.20 3.30 3.30 3.30 3.28 3.39 3.37NSU-OCO 3.52 3.54 3.57 3.59 3.50 3.64 3.60 3.70 3.53OSU 3.45 3.50 3.40 3.20 3.53 3.50 3.53 3.56 3.61PCO-SU 3.18 3.28 3.25 3.22 3.30 3.35 3.35 3.34 3.33PUCO 3.30 3.30 3.43 3.38 3.43 3.52 3.45 3.41 3.50SCCO 3.39 3.33 3.34 3.32 3.30 3.38 3.33 3.35 3.44SCO 3.28 3.38 3.33 3.46 3.42 3.46 3.44 3.45 3.47SUNY 3.20 3.18 3.22 3.16 3.31 3.51 3.46 3.51 3.49UAB 3.51 3.55 3.66 3.65 3.52 3.63 3.66 3.56 3.60UCB 3.39 3.31 3.44 3.50 3.54 3.43 3.50 3.53 3.55UH 3.38 3.44 3.31 3.42 3.40 3.39 3.40 3.46 3.48UIW — — — — — — — — 3.31UMSL 3.38 3.40 3.49 3.26 3.42 3.44 3.49 3.44 3.40WUHS — — — — — — — — 3.11

See page 12 for full names of schools. Source: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and individual schools and colleges

WO

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:54 AM Page 3

“I want everyone in the worldto have the app on their iPhone,”she says. “There is a huge differ-ence in the number of free appdownloads compared to 99-cent apps. People don’t hesi-tate for a second to install afree app, but if it’s 99 cents,they might skip it.”

The free installationhelps account for thetremendous popularity of thisapp, released earlier this year.But it’s also just a useful andinformative app to have.EyeXam includes tests forvisual acuity, color perception,astigmatism and eye domi-nance. To recoup her invest-ment—she hired a developerand obtained an Apple devel-oper license—she has foundsponsors. Vision Source andAlcon were the first two.People using the doctor-finderfeature are directed to theirclosest Vision Source office,and information on Alconproducts is presented alongwith information about associated eye conditions via theAll About Vision link.

Dr. Iravani’s interests in new technology and eye caredovetailed perfectly in this project. She is the founder ofGlobal EyeVentures, a consulting firm based in California’sSilicon Valley, and she was formerly a CooperVision vicepresident. After leaving the contact lens manufacturer,venture capital firms began to ask her to assess oph-thalmic innovations. “Startup companies don’t have theinfrastructure in house, and after receiving funding thereis always much work to get done” she says. “Essentially,the Global EyeVentures team of clinical investigators andconsultants act as the startup company’s virtual team tosupport various clinical, professional services, sales andmarketing projects, until the company identifies a seniormanagement team,” she says. That might mean salesforce training or developing a protocol for a clinical trialand extracting claims from clinical studies to supportmarketing initiatives.

However, EyeXam was not backed by venture capital. Itsgenesis was much simpler—the playgrounds and grocerystores where Dr. Iravani would field eye care-related ques-tions from friends. “Friends and family would hold theirPDAs at arm’s length and say, ‘Nikki, I can’t read myBlackBerry anymore. Do you think I need an eye exam?’ I’mhere in the techno world of Silicon Valley, where there’s anew app coming out about every minute, and I thought,

‘There’s got to be an app for this.’” Turns out, there wasn’t. Or theones that were available were not developed by doctors, nor

were they practical. As an optometrist, she wanted tobe able to grab people’s attention and steer them

to the next step—making an appointment foran eye exam. “My goal was to bring more

attention to eye care.”Even though the demand for the

EyeXam app seemed apparent to her,she’s still stunned by its success.After having submitted her applica-tion to Apple, she wasn’t sure whatto expect. She received an emailsaying it had been accepted andwould be available in the App Storein 24 hours. The downloads expo-nentially grew from day one. “Ithought it might hit 10,000 by theend of the first week; it got there inthree days and quickly became the #2

app in the top free medical category!”Now Dr. Iravani is collecting

feedback from current users to enhancefuture versions of the app. And at Global

EyeVentures, she’s also on the lookout for thenext big idea in eye care. “The venture capitalcommunity believes that while some healthcare segments are saturated with recent inno-vation, there is still room for penetration andgrowth in the ophthalmic space.” Judging bythe overnight success of EyeXam, the worldseems hungry for eye-related technology andproducts. WO

If she had a dollar for every download of the EyeXam appli-cation for iPhone, Nikki Iravani, OD, wouldbe a wealthy woman. It had been down-loaded more than 200,000 timesin the first six weeks it was

available.

Erica Rindt Musgrove, OD, ofMemphis, Tenn., missed hergraduation from SouthernCollege of Optometry for a verygood reason. While her class-

mates were receiving their diplomas, shewas giving birth to baby Ella. Her familywas in town for graduation—but wasn'tdisappointed at the change in plans.

Special Delivery Delays Diploma

Classmates stopped bylater to congratulate Dr.Musgrove (above, withher husband, Clint) on

both of heraccomplish-ments.

WO

When Dr. Iravani didnot find any com-plete vision screenapps developed byeye doctors, shedeveloped EyeXam.

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:55 AM Page 5

’m going to a practice manage-ment seminar later this year,and after that, I’m going tomake some changes.”

“I started to develop a planfor 2010, but fell behind. I’ll do itnext year.”

“I heard some great ideas atthe last meeting I went to, butwe’re too busy to make all thosechanges.”

Do any of these sound likesomething you’ve said? There’s nodoubt that making changes in theway a practice operates takessome initiative. But that shouldnot stall you in your tracks. Infact, delaying implementation of

needed changes can create a kind of stagnation, as well as asense of dread. “Oh, this is something I have to do, but I justcan’t make myself get started.”

Here’s the good news. Small steps are better than no stepsat all. And small steps are easier to achieve. You don’t have totie your new policy updates to the next big thing—implemen-tation of electronic health records, the big office move, thenew hire or the next equipment purchase.

There are plenty of steps you can take now—with relativesimplicity. Each of these steps will bring you closer to thegoal. We won’t say it will bring you closer to the finish linebecause the end point keeps shiftingas your practice goals and personalgoals change.

Here’s how to start.Dust off your notes from earlier

practice management sessions thatinspired you. Were there action itemsyou circled or underlined but haven’timplemented? Don’t try tackling themall at once, but prioritize a few thathaven’t been started and schedule a start date. Even doing onewill give you a sense of accomplishment and momentum.

Approach your next practice management session or anydoctor meeting with the goal of identifying two or threestrategies that will help you. Ask questions about imple-mentation and what to expect—and then start with thoseimmediately upon your return to the practice.

Let the Management & Business Academy™ (MBA) help. Eyecare practitioners who have attended

MBA sessions, sponsored by CIBAVISION® and Essilor, return to theirpractices with action plans fordeveloping or updating their mis-sion statements and overall goals,as well as beginning with small,incremental changes that will helpthem achieve the bigger goals.However, all practitioners can

Do It Nowbenefit from the collecteddata and information onthe mba-ce.com web site.

Register today andyou’ll be able to accesspractice performance met-rics, a publication archiveand more. There are staffmanagement resourcesthat include staff meetingguidelines, recommendedreading for you and yourstaff and downloadablePowerPoint presentationsto improve service levelsand increase patient satisfaction. Those can be used at yourstaff meetings.

Take a look at the variety of practice metrics available onthe site. Identify several and determine how you’ll improveyour numbers. The first truth of practice management is thatyou must measure a metric to track improvement. Perhaps youthink you’re doing alright in terms of percentage of contactlens patients, comprehensive exams per hour, or the numberof toric or multifocal contact lens fittings. The MBA site canhelp you see where you fall in comparison with colleagues.Determine where you want to see improvement, share thatvision with staff and practice colleagues, encourage their ideasfor making it happen and start measuring.

Read through archived issues of MBA Insights for practicaltips and inspiration. Articles coverpatient communication, staffmanagement, metrics, marketingand more.

You can even downloadmonthly staff meeting agendasdeveloped by MBA faculty memberDave Ziegler, OD. These will rein-force the key messages on serviceprinciples. The practical advice

will be tremendously valuable.It’s important to identify your long-term, overarching

goals. And while it might be easier to take a deep breath andsay, “I’ll get to that someday,” that attitude won’t move youforward. Divide your big goal into smaller subsections.

For example, you might have this large goal: Create a prac-tice that allows me to add an associate and work three days inpatient care with one administrative day.

One section that is implementable immediately might beto generate enough income to add a part-time associate. Nowstart identifying strategies to help you to that first level. Howcan you create efficiency? How can you generate more revenueper patient? How can you add patients? Start with these smallsteps and next thing you know, you’ll be writing your helpwanted ad.

Beverly Korfin, MBA, is senior manager of marketing opera-tions for CIBA VISION®.

By Beverly Korfin, MBA

“It’s Your Business” also appears onthe web site of Women of Vision.Check it out at wovonline.org.

Onwww.wovonline.org

“I

Sponsored by CIBA VISION®

It’s Your Business

2010-04-0394

“Small stepsare better than

no steps at all….Even doing one willgive you a sense ofaccomplishment and

momentum.”

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:55 AM Page 6

OD forPage 7

OfficeOD runs with support of her colleaguesin practice and around the state

WO


Alice Sterling, OD, of Winter Springs, Fla., may be the onlyoptometrist on the ballot for District 33 at the Florida House ofRepresentatives, but she surely isn’t running alone. ODs from allacross her state are behind her.

It starts close to home, with optometry and ophthalmologycolleagues from Florida Eye Clinic, where Dr. Sterling practices, support-ing her endeavor. Dr. Sterling has dropped down to 30 hours a week—and as the election nears, she’ll cut back to 24 hours a week—thanks toher partner who has been picking up hours since the campaign kick-offlast August. “The advantage of a large group is that you have someoneto cover for you,” she says. “It would be harder to step away completelyfor a few months from my own private business.” If elected, Dr. Sterlingwould need to be in legislative session in March and April.

Several women, mostly ODs, have provided encouragement and prac-tical support to Dr. Sterling over the past few months. Jeri Graham, OD,who practices with Florida Eye Clinic in its Altamonte Springs location,provides comic relief and a helping hand through the toughest andlongest days when it feels like all of her campaign work will never befinished, Dr. Sterling says. “She’s been a delightful breath of fresh air.”

Karen Perry, OD, of Orlando, believes Dr. Sterling should havetaken this step years ago, and she now volunteers her time asDr. Sterling’s campaign treasurer. Kerry Giedd, OD, ofOrlando, is captain of the neighborhood walk parties.“Her job requires being detailed and enthusiastic,”Dr. Sterling says, adding that this will get harderas summer approaches and Florida becomeseven hotter.

Although she is not an OD, Dr. Sterling’scampaign manager Helen Miller has been alongtime friend. “Helen has a reputation fordoing a great job at this, and she knows meand my comfort levels,” Dr. Sterling says. “Wedidn’t have to have a courting period to see howwe work with each other.”

ODs across the state have donated thousands ofdollars to her campaign. “I could not be doing all of thiswithout the vital support of so many optometrists,” she says.Dr. Sterling appreciates this collaboration, and she encourages ODsto become involved in politics. “Optometry is a legislated profession,” Dr.Sterling says. “Any business or profession would benefit by having one ofits own within that legislative body.” There are many ways and levels tosupport legislation. Her partner, Victoria Donkin, OD, mentioned that shefelt guilty she did not give more, but Dr. Sterling assured her that her roleof alleviating time in the office has been an essential contribution.

Dr. Sterling has never been one to sit still. In the past, she’s beeninvolved as a Committeewoman for the Seminole County Republican ExecutiveCommittee. For 20 years, she has been on the Legislative Committee ofthe Florida Optometric Association, and for 12 years, she has served asthe American Optometric Association PAC Representative for Florida.

Dr. Sterling had been contemplating joining the race for four years,ever since an aide for a local representative told her the position wouldbe a good match. “It caught me off guard because I never thought of it,but everyone I talked to said it would be ideal,” she says. When a seatopened in the district in which she lives and works, Dr. Sterling decidedto plunge forward. “I felt compelled to pursue this.”

Since the idea started brewing, Dr. Sterling’s attitudes have changed.She is seeking support rather than trying to find a candidate she wants tosupport, so she’s had to expand her areas of focus. The optometric profes-sion remains important to her, but many issues face her community.Potential constituents want to hear her views on jobs, taxes, education,community services and more. And when she speaks with citizens of thecommunity she’s lived in since her childhood, as well as professionals inmany fields and industries, she hears the same concerns resonate. “Loveof my profession is what started my venture into politics,” Dr. Sterlingsays. “Love of my patients and community is my driving force now. Theeconomic depression affects us all regardless of our career paths in life.”

For more information on Dr. Sterling and her campaign, visitelectalicesterling.com.

Dr. Sterling is gaining thesupport from many fellow ODs.(l-r): Dr. Giedd, Dr. Graham andDr. Perry make up a core supportteam for her. Below left, thesewomen ODs were among the

volunteers who turned out for anoffice party to coordinate a mailing.

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:55 AM Page 7

When Stacy Vo, OD, graduatedfrom New England College ofOptometry in 2003, she wasn’table to find a permanentfull-time position quickly. “I

worked as a per-diem doctor at 15 differentpractices, from corporatelocations to privateoffices.” Some of thoserequired her to fill in forone day; some practicesneeded her there forthree months or more.

Now, she’s a practiceowner with two locations inRedlands and Westminster,Calif.—and she occa-sionally finds herselfsearching for a fill-indoctor. “I have run intosituations where I could not find coveragefor my offices during certain times. And Ihave new graduates contact my offices forjob opportunities at times when there isnot a position available.”

When the need for a fill-in doctor hits,it’s often fairly urgent. One morning recently,her husband, a manager for her brother-in-law’s optometric practice, received a phone

call at 6 a.m. from a per diem doctorwho woke up feeling poorly. “He turnedto me and said, ‘I need you to go in.’ Itwas my day off, but what if I had beenbusy?’” Doctors left in a lurch like thathave few options: work themselves, try

to reschedule some patients, call on a friendor potentially see patients go elsewhere. Atthe same time, young graduates have stu-dent loans and other bills to pay. Those whoaren’t employed full time would probablyjump at the chance to fill in for a whole dayof seeing patients.

Dr. Vo began to think that there mustbe a better way to match ODs with short-

term opportunities. So she launched anonline matching system called OptoMatch inMay. Optometrists who are looking for work,especially fill-in or per-diem work, can regis-ter for free. Practice owners and employerswho want to hire a full-time, permanentdoctor or expand their bank of candidates tocover for emergency leaves, maternity leave,sick leaves or vacations can register for freeas well. They will be charged a small feewhen a placement is made.

The employing doctor pays the per-diem doctor directly; OptoMatch’s role is tomatch applicants by city, county or thera-peutic licensing requirements, as well asdates available. The system even allowslast-minute placements, as long as practiceowners alert OptoMatch of a need at leastthree hours in advance.

Dr. Vo says she didn’t create OptoMatchparticularly with women optometrists inmind, but she also realizes that since thereare more women graduates from optometryschools, there will be more women seekingwork. “It can also help career women whomight need to take time off for maternity orfor family events,” she says.

OptoMatch is available in all majorcities in California, and Dr. Vo is hoping toexpand the program’s coverage area to morestates soon. “If we can match doctors ofoptometry in a more effective way, Istrongly believe that we can close the gapof unemployed ODs in California,” she says.

To learn more about the service, visitoptomatch.com.

TheMatchmakerDoctor launches an online optometry matching service

As a practice owner and mother,Dr. Vo knows that there are manywomen ODs who juggle responsibili-ties. Her new matching service canhelp both employers and fill-in ODs.

WO

Carolyn Finnell, OD, of Tucson, Ariz., had always been a studentof science. Arts and literature were barely on her radar—until2000 when she saw the movie Emma, which awakened a passionfor Jane Austen’s writing and the Victorian and Regency periodsof British history. (The Regency period, 1811-1820, occurred

when King George III was on the throne, but the country was run by thePrince Regent.) She began reading Austen’s books, none of which shehad ever read before. She joined the local Jane Austen Society of NorthAmerica, but the chapter didn’t dance as much as she had hoped. So shehelped found the Arizona Regency and Victorian Society—and Englishcountry dancing is on the schedule every week. She also sews her owncostumes for the dances and other events.

Her circle of friends and acquaintances has expanded during the yearsthat she’s been involved with these groups. That will come in handy nowthat she is opening her own practice, after years of filling in at other prac-tices. “I was doing relief work all over town, for private practices and cor-porate-affiliated locations. It worked well to schedule work around my pas-sions,” she says, which also include taking and teaching yoga classes and,for years, included homeschooling her children.

Keeping Time: Doctor MeldsOutside Interests and Career

Dr. Finnell


WOVictoriancouple©Sahua|Dreamstime.com

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:55 AM Page 8

Friend Me?Women ODs Build NetworksOnline and in Communities

The 400 optometrists who responded to a Women In Optometryrecent survey on professional networking say that they jointraditional and new networks for professional support, person-al beliefs and just for fun. Many of these women wrote to WOto say that while they may have joined a local or community

organization for one reason, the networks that sprung up have helpedthem improve their practices, too.

Overall, 68 percent of women WO readers said they currentlybelong to the American Optometric Association (AOA). Of women AOAmembers, 57 percent are practice owners, 31 percent are employed fulltime, and nearly 12 percent are employed part time. Women ODsreported that they joined the AOA primarily out of a sense of profes-

sional obligation,while networking,advocacy andreduced rates for

CE/meetings were also consideredimportant reasons.

Women ODs in specialtyareas, such as research, academiaor the military, are highlyinvolved in other optometric pro-fessional societies, with participa-tion within those groups surpass-ing 90 percent. A number ofwomen in a variety of practicesettings also specified that theyhave joined the AmericanOptometric Society. Across the fullspectrum of career options,women ODs are involved in com-munity organizations.

Many of the women ODs who responded to the surveysaid their first volunteer priority is with local churches,

syngagogues and their children’s schools. Optometric serviceprograms or organizations, such as InfantSEE, Opening Eyesand VOSH, also ranked high. And many raise money or aware-ness for cancer or other health foundations. There’s no short-age of volunteer opportunities.

� Janelle L. Davison, OD, of Marietta, Ga.,finds all the volunteer opportunities she wantsthrough her local Junior League chapter. She vol-unteers 40 hours a year as a SMART sessionleader at Girls Inc., an after-school center thatencourages girls to be excited about math, sci-ence and technology.

� Mary Ann Peck, OD, of Carrollton, Texas, is helpingwomen who are working to pull their lives together and get backinto the workforce. She’ll be providing eye care and eyewearthrough the local Dress for Success program.

Weaving Networks

� Juanakee Adams, OD,has started her own founda-tion to provide vision servicesto underprivileged communi-ties in Birmingham, through-out Alabama and even nation-ally. She’s also involved with

Spirit of Luke, a food and clothing ministrycomprised of ODs, MDs, pharmaceutical pro-fessionals and nurses.

� Kelley R. JacksonCondon, OD, of Golden,Colo., says the Chamber ofCommerce has done more forher business than any otheravenue. Not only has shemade lifelong friends, shemet her husband through thechamber.

Where Women ODs Gofor Networking(other than the AOA)

Community organization: 71%Other optometric professional society: 70%Local business society: 34%Nonoptometric professional society: 31%Nonvision health group: 30%Optometric service group: 25%

(respondents could chose all options that applied)

Why Women JoinWhile 45 percent of women saidthey joined the organizations theydid for business growth and net-working opportunities, that was byno means the only motivation:

71% said they joined out of apersonal/family passion

49% said they joined for thevolunteer opportunities

22% said they wanted to advo-cate for the organization or cause

7% cited another reasonWO

WO

Connecting with the AOAYounger women ODs are more likely to connect with the AOA through itsweb site and Facebook page and less likely to do so through publicationsor state or local meetings.

Decade Graduated 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s

Web site 51% 52% 51% 61%State and local meeting 54% 67% 56% 47%National meeting 31% 28% 20% 21%Facebook page 3% 7% 3% 10%Publications 66% 61% 54% 55%

(respondents could select more than one option)

Time Devoted toVolunteer Issues

(total volunteer hours per month)

Less than1 hour

26%

44%

17%

6-10 hours

1-5 hours

More than 20 hours

7%6%


11-20hours

Circleofpeople©Diamondimages|Dreamstime.com

Dr. JacksonCondon

Dr. Davison

Dr. Adams

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Cover StoryPage 10


More than 40 percent of these students have opted to complete aresidency, even though most of them will graduate with a school loan

debt reaching six figures. “Although the accrueddebt from optometry school can be daunting, I feelcertain the additional year of residency is of greatvalue,” says Lauren Goldsmith, OD, of SouthernCollege of Optometry (SCO). “I believe a residencyfurther advances the skill level of the newly gradu-ated optometrist and provides a starting ground forpracticing at a higher level ofoptometry. With loan lendersoffering economic hardship andforbearance options, the resi-dency has very much become afeasible opportunity for optome-try students today.”

University of Missouri, St.Louis, College of Optometryclassmates Brianne Hobbs, OD,and Jamie Gold, OD, agree. “It is difficult to put aprice on training that will allow me to better servemy patients and future students,” Dr. Hobbs says.

For Dr. Gold, who worked in the golf industry before optometry school,“choosing this residency is more about me perfecting my skills as a doctorso I can provide my patients and community with the utmost in care.”

But even though they highly value the experience, it could still be adifficult choice to make. Amy Knapke, OD, of The Ohio State University

College of Optometry (OSU) enjoyed her 13-week internship at the DaytonVA, but says it was a tough financial decision choos-ing to return there for a residency. With her husbandworking a full-time and an additional part-time posi-tion, Dr. Knapke decided to gofor it. “Without his support, Iam not sure that I would beable to participate,” she says.

Meghan Elkins, OD, also ofSCO, didn’t think twice aboutletting her debt stop her. “I

feel that if you do not go for what you want in life,then you are shortchanging yourself,” she says.“Making money will happen—just not next year!”

For most of these new graduates, the job search is on—and most ofthem covet a spot in an independent practice. Infact, none of these 33 said he or she was planning toopen his or her own practice immediately, althoughit is a goal several years down the road for some.Just a few students said they were also consideringworking in a corporate-affiliated location.

Sarah Gallagher, OD, of Northeastern StateUniversity Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSU-OCO)knew that, financially, opening a practice wouldn’twork immediately after graduation. So she chose

another path—staying at NSU-OCO to become a faculty member as

Dr. Goldsmith

Dr. Hobbs

Dr. Gold

Dr. Knapke

Dr. Elkins

Hungry for more education

Finding the perfect practice

The Class of 2010Prepares to Make Its Mark

he percentage of women in the professionincreases each year as more women thanmen graduate optometry school and moreof the retirees aremen.

The 33 smiling faces onthe cover of this issue ofWomen In Optometry repre-sent the future of optometry.Women account for abouttwo-thirds of the class, asthey have for most of thepast decade. As a result,among practitioners under age40, the number of women in practice is approachingthe number of men. And ODs over age 50 who are

beginning to consider retirement are nearly all men.The face of optometry may be changing, but these

young graduates share concerns and goals that, in mostcases, transcend gender issues.As they spoke with WO in theweeks preceding their gradua-tions, some faced uncertaintiesabout what they would do. Mostwere concerned about the debtthey had accumulated. And oth-ers—men and women alike—were contemplating the offersthat would allow them the bestopportunities to practice, while

remaining connected to their spouses, children, com-munities and the profession.

T

Dr. Gallagher

ODs under age 40

ODs over age 50

Source: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

WOMEN 40%

MEN 60%

MEN 97%

WOMEN 3%

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part of the Rural Eye Program. “I am so excited to work closely withoptometry students while providing eye care serv-ices to our Native American population,” she says.

Efren Gomez, OD, of Illinois College ofOptometry (ICO), was still looking this spring fora place to land. He’s the first person in his familyof five siblings to complete graduate school, sohe’s seen the effects of a financial struggle first-hand. “I am going to pick up the first opportunityI come across, most likely,that I feel is right,” he says.

He hopes it’s a path that will bring him eventuallyinto vision therapy and worries he’ll be asked topush products for profit. “The care of patients isthe most important thing, and I want them tocome away thinking they saw the best eye doctorever and not the best salesman.”

Maren Smithgall, OD, of State University ofNew York State College ofOptometry (SUNY), says, “Although I wish I couldsay the opposite, my student loan debt definitelyaffects my choices. Ideally, I see myself in a pri-vate or group practice setting; however, I am notopposed to a corporate-affiliated career, especiallyconsidering the amount of student loans that Ihave accumulated.”

Salary is important, but Sherita Seward-Brown, OD, of Pennsylvania College of Optometryat Salus University, and Niki Henriksen, OD, ofICO, don’t want to base employment decisions onthat factor alone. “While I am graduating withnearly $200,000 of debt, I picked my job basedon location and quality of living over severalhigher-paying positions in other states,” says Dr.Henriksen. Dr. Seward-Brown is trying to balanceseveral considerations: “Is there room for growthsalary-wise? Will it allow me enough free time formy husband and two children? Is it going to be in

an area where I would like to raise my children? How can I impactthe community through this position?”

For some of the class of 2010, optometry is already in their blood.That’s true for Chad Linsley, OD,of Michigan College of Optometryat Ferris State University, whoknew since he was five yearsold that he would buy into hisfather’s solo practice as a part-ner. “You could say that thiswill be the fulfillment of a life-long dream,” he says. “It hasbeen quite an experience to

Dr. Gomez

Dr. Smithgall

Dr. Seward-Brown

Dr. Henriksen

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Enrollment Trends

Enrolling Average Percentage Total Number Total NumberClass Year of Women of Students of Women

2006 65% 1,367 882

2007 64% 1,554 994

2008 65% 1,594 1,032

2009 63% 1,803 1,144

Source: Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

begin to relate to my dad as a colleague.”Tiffany Chan, OD, of

University of California, Berkeley,School of Optometry, will bejoining her parents in practice,and Alesha Jensen, OD, ofSouthern California College ofOptometry, and Travis Zigler,OD, of OSU, will each work inpractices owned by theiruncles.

Jamie McKenzie, OD, decided to attend optome-try school at Inter American University of Puerto RicoSchool of Optometry because it would expose herto a new culture, language and, most importantly,eye conditions that she may not see at home inMichigan. “I knew I could get an in-depth experiencewith pathology and disease, and to be in a hospitalsetting or an OD/MD practice, you have to be well-rounded,” Dr. McKenzie says. While the move was far,she wasn’t alone—her twin sister was a classmate.

At the SUNY, where women students outnumber men about four-to-one, Marc Lay, OD, says it brought some posi-tives to the experience. “It is great to see thatour profession is equally driven by males andfemales,” he says. “Working with men and womenallows us all to be more well-rounded clinicians.For example, I have learned to improve my com-munication and patient interaction skills from myfemale colleagues.”

Dr. Linsley Dr. Chan

Dr. Jensen

Dr. Zigler

Dr. McKenzie

The AOA Membership IssueA Snapshot

Age Male Female Total

25-34 42% 58% 21%

35-39 59% 41% 39%

50-65 88% 12% 40%

Source: American Optometric Association

In the family

Shift of the field

Passion for pathology

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other as examples of success.5. Always respect patients’ dignity

and privacy. Use courtesy titles.6. Avoid snap judgments. Offer the

best option first. Patients can provideguidelines about their budget.

7. Listen attentively. Technicians whocan restate patients’ concerns during hand-off to the doctor, “reassure patients thatthey were listened to.” Plus, it gives thedoctor a better place to start the conversation.

8. Negative impressions scream; positives usually whisper.“Acknowledge mistakes and fix them in the best way possible,” she says.

9. No tech talk with patients. “If your grandmother wouldn’tunderstand your explanation, it’s too technical.”

10. Under-promise and over-deliver. “This book’s descriptionhelped the staff to understand the concept better than I had been ableto before,” says Dr. Tlachac.

Patients Love to See You Smile is available to order online at pca-ce.com.

Class of 2010 Continued from page 11

Statistics from the American Optometric Association show a continuing pay gap between menand women in optometry. The fact that there are fewer women than men in longstanding,

high-earning practices and that women generally take more time away from work than men forchildrearing are considered factors explaining some of this pay gap. Even so, men historically earnsubstantially more, according to Caring for the Eyes of America, 2008.

The Income Gap

Total Individual Net Income by Gender, 2004-2006

Mean Net Income Median Net Income

Gender 2004 2006 2004 2006

Male $140,145 $142,924 $118,000 $119,000

Female $119,630 $101,788 $93,000 $85,000

PercentageYear of pay gap

2006 -29%2004 -21%2002 -22%1998 -24%1996 -27%1994 -29%1992 -31%

WO

Women Earn Less

Key

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Facing the unexpected

IAUPR: Inter American University of Puerto Rico Schoolof Optometry

ICO: Illinois College of OptometryIU: Indiana University School of OptometryMCO-FSU: Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State UniversityMU-AZCO: Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry

NECO: New England College of OptometryNOVA SE: Nova Southeastern University College of OptometryNSU-OCO: Northeastern State University Oklahoma College

of OptometryOSU: The Ohio State University College of OptometryPCO-SU: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University

PUCO: Pacific University College of OptometrySCCO: Southern California College of OptometrySCO: Southern College of OptometrySUNY: State University of New York State College of OptometryUAB: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of

Optometry

UCB: University of California, Berkeley, School of OptometryUH: University of Houston College of OptometryUIW: University of the Incarnate Word School of OptometryUMSL: University of Missouri, St. Louis, College of OptometryWUHS: Western University of Health Sciences’ College of

Optometry


Good advicefor staff

staff and even the dean came to visit her in the hospital. Dr. Lear says,“I think that is a huge benefit of attendingUABSO—we all know each other well, and when oneof us hurts, we all hurt.”

She was determined to graduate on time. Herhusband and his brother helped her while sheregained her mobility, and classmates brought din-ners and lecture notes to her house. She arranged tomake up finals over the summer, and she completedher externship on every day she had off from school.

On May 17, just more than a year after her strokeand nearly fully recovered, Dr. Lear joined her classmates and received herdoctorate of optometry on her 26th birthday. She will become an associateat an independent primary care practice in North Carolina.

In April 2009, when then-24-year-old Aundria Lear started feelingdizzy following a case of bronchitis, she would never have guessed shewas having a stroke. But as she and her fellow classmates at theUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry (UABSO)were preparing for finals, that’s exactly what happened.

She had been diagnosed with vertigo but began having more trou-ble sitting up and walking. When she stopped verbally responding to herhusband, Mark, the couple rushed to the hospital. She was diagnosedwith Wallenberg’s syndrome, and while she was expected to recoverfully, she’d have to relearn to walk, read and write. Classmates, faculty,

Dr. Lear

Bring out the Best in Your Staff

Charlotte Tlachac, OD, of Alameda, Calif.,assigned some required reading for a recentstaff meeting: the 91-page Patients Love toSee You Smile, which provides case-specificadvice on how to handle patient interac-

tions. Since then, the staff has been putting theideas to use—and it shows in their smiles. She andthe staff identified their top 10 ideas from the book.

1. First impressions are lasting impressions.The first 20 or so seconds when patients enter orcall the office are critical.

2. When you care, patients care. Make sure patients know howimportant their eye health is to them—and to you, Dr. Tlachac advises.

3. You are always on stage. “Staff must leave their personal trou-bles at the time clock.”

4. Add story-telling to the performance. When one employee begantelling patients that antireflective coating (AR) on her lenses improvedher vision, “her sales rate for AR skyrocketed.” Now staff members knowwho in the office is wearing different types of eyewear and use each

Dr. Tlachac

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Some people are lucky enough toidentify their goals early in lifeand make steady progress towardachieving them. But these twowomen show that even if it takes

a while to find your place, the journey canbe meaningful.

The 20-Year PlanJoan Kaplow, OD, of Rochester, N.Y.,

was 48 years old when she opened her ownpractice. Nearly three years later, she looksback at that tumultuous time. The economywas tanking, a family member spent eightmonths living in her house to recuperatefrom surgery, her father passed away and

her son went tocollege. Sheforged aheadanyway, realiz-ing, “There’snever going tobe a perfect,‘right’ time.”

It hasn’tbeen easy. Therevenue fromher full-timeschedule at herpractice is

invested back into the practice. Her part-time work at a corporate location coversher loan. Be conservative in your budget,she advises. Don’t purchase a house witha mortgage that needs to be supported bytwo incomes, and be prepared to go with-out an income for the first few years.

“The rewards of having your own prac-tice—full scope or a specialtylike vision therapy—are greaterthan anything I could haveimagined,” even though she’sbeen imagining it for 20 years.As a new graduate, she beganto think about a practice thatincluded vision therapy. Shebenefited from vision therapyas a child, and she wanted tomake a similar difference forother children.

Following her future hus-band to Philadelphia, where heattended podiatry school, sheput those plans on hold, notwanting to commit to a placewhere the couple might notstay. She found fill-in work andlater a full-time position in a

corporate-affiliated practice.When the couple moved back to her

hometown of Rochester, the location wasright, but the timing wasn’t—as the cou-ple’s son was born. Again, she found acorporate-affiliated practice that providedher scheduling flexibility so she and herhusband could switch off for most of thechild care duties, relying onformal daycare arrangementsonly rarely.

But when her husbanddecided to go to medicalschool in Pennsylvania, shebecame the primary provider,and investing in her own prac-tice would have to wait. Inthe meantime, the family grewas a daughter was born.

Several years ago, Dr.Kaplow and her mother weredriving around town, whenher mother pointed out thewindow at an empty building, saying, “Thisis where I always pictured you practicingvision therapy.” She had “all but given uphope about having my own private prac-tice,” she says, but this gentle nudgemoved the idea forward. She didn’t end upin the space her mother identified, butshe did find an office two miles from herhome—a perfect location for regular after-school contact with her daughter, now 12.

Dr. Kaplow has the only full-scopepractice with a vision therapy focus in thearea and constantly receives referrals fromlocal ODs, with whom she’s connectedsince opening.

Third Degree Is a CharmOptometry wasn’t her original

goal, but Melinda Cano-Howes, OD,knew she wanted to help people achieve ahealthy lifestyle through a medically ori-ented career. Today, she’s one of more than40 doctors who practice at the 14 locationsfor Eye Associates of New Mexico, the

largest eye care group in thestate. Her busy schedule coversprimary and urgent eye care,surgery follow-ups and contactlenses at the offices in LosLunas and Socorro, N.M.

But her path here woundthrough the dentist’s office andbusiness school. Just out of col-lege, she was a dental hygienistfor 21 years. As much as sheenjoyed the patient contact, therepetitive actions lead to back-and hand-related pain. So she

went back to earn a business degree. It didn’ttake long for her to realize that businessalone just wouldn’t cut it. “I missed my workwith patients and the science involved,” shesays. “When I began considering a career inoptometry, I found a profession that blendsscience, medicine and patient care with fash-ion and fun.” Friends encouraged her tovisit the University of California, Berkeley,College of Optometry—and that’s whereshe went, graduating in 1999.

Throughout the school week, she wasseparated from her husband, who workedthe couple’s farm in rural California. “Ithought going back to school this timewould be a breeze,” she says, but manyhours of studying proved her wrong. Shestuck through it all, as a mature studentamong recent college graduates. “It was along road, but it was worth it. I’ve beenreally happy with my choice.” Not longafter graduation, the couple moved to herhome state of New Mexico. In addition topracticing, she’s a clinical examiner forPart 3 of the National Boards in Optometryand the New Mexico State Board and ismembership chair for the New MexicoOptometric Association.

She’s also an advocate for lifelonglearning. “You can always go back toschool,” she tells math and science stu-dents whom she mentors at the Universityof New Mexico and anyone who might beconsidering a second career. It took her awhile to find her niche, but when she did,it stuck.

Dr. Kaplow

“If it wasn’t for Women In Optometry, Idon’t think I would have ever opened my

practice,” says Dr. Joan Kaplow, who found inspi-ration in the magazine’s stories. She learned thatsuccess comes in many forms, at many stagesduring life and to other woman ODs around thecountry. She contacted Margaret Foley, OD, ofEugene, Ore., who had been featured in a coverstory about her practice. “Dr. Foley was so gen-erous—she spoke with me for an hour to tellme how she did it, and that conversation wasinstrumental.”

Inspired by Stories

Dr. Cano-Howes


WO

Persistence PaysLife’s diversions and deferrals finally result in dream careers

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Fresh out ofoptometry school,Ingryd Lorenzana, OD,FAAO, FCOVD, spent nine yearsworking as a faculty member at Illinois College of

Optometry (ICO) and an additional year at Southern College ofOptometry (SCO), where one of her primary responsibilitiesincluded being a principal investigator for the AmblyopiaTreatment Study as a member of the Pediatric Eye DiseaseInvestigative Group (PEDIG). “Research has always been of inter-est to me, and I feel it’s important to stay updated,” she says.“It’s exciting being a contributor to research that will later shapeclinical care.”

Even so, she decided eventually that she wanted a privatepractice, and six years ago, she acquired one in Schaumburg, Ill.,which she now shares in a space with a pediatrician. But at thetime, something didn't feel quite right. “Having a private practiceis very rewarding, but on a collegiate level, it can be isolating,”Dr. Lorenzana says. “I missed having fellow faculty with whom todiscuss clinical cases.”

Dr. Lorenzana bridged that gap by continuing her involve-

ment with PEDIG through herprivate practice. PEDIG, formedin 1997, receives its fundingfrom the National Eye Instituteto conduct clinical research instrabismus, amblyopia andother eye disorders that affectchildren. It is composed ofpediatric optometrists andpediatric ophthalmologistsnationwide. Dr. Lorenzana’s sit-uation is unusual since she’s nolonger in an academic arenafull time, as are the vast majori-ty of participating optometrists. However, her residency inPediatrics and Binocular Vision and her pediatric academic expe-rience secured her a spot as a certified PEDIG clinical site.

Dr. Lorenzana began her affiliationwith the group while she was at SCO, butshe realized that by bringing pediatricresearch into her practice, she could havethe best of both worlds. “I work with theleading experts in the field, and I canshare with them my experience of being ina private practice,” she says. “We learnfrom each other as part of this network.”Depending on the protocol and licensureneeded for each study, Dr. Lorenzana usuallyconducts her research with fewer than adozen patients a year. In her office, she hasexamined children for several protocols,among them the study, Treatment ofBilateral Refractive Amblyopia in Children 3to <10 Years Old. This study’s purpose wasto determine the amount and time courseof binocular visual acuity improvement dur-ing treatment of bilateral refractive ambly-opia. For more information on additionalPEDIG studies, visit pedig.jaeb.org.

PEDIG fuels Dr. Lorenzana’s passion forchildren’s vision. As a part-time faculty mem-ber at ICO, she spends time with fourth-yearstudents in its pediatric outreach clinical pro-gram. Dr. Lorenzana makes these collegiateactivities fit seamlessly into her practice,plus what she learns from her research canhelp her better assist her patients. WO

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When Dr. Ingryd Lorenzana purchased herpractice about six years ago, pediatric

patients accounted for less than 3 percent of herpatient base; but for a pediatric optometrist,that just wouldn’t cut it. Dr. Lorenzana knew sheneeded to send that number soaring if her prac-tice were to serve as a clinical study site. Shepromoted pediatric eye care and vision therapythroughout her community, making connectionswith local school nurses, principals, teachersand PTA leaders. By educating these key peopleabout her services and knowledge, she starteda referral base that has served as a pillar ofpractice growth. Currently, more than 60 percentof her total patient base is children. That putsher on track toward her goal of becoming a pedi-atric residency site.

Building aPediatric Practice

Groundbreaking at PCO

PhotosbyCarolBiunno-Petscavage

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at SalusUniversity (SU) celebrated the start of renovations on itsEye Institute with a groundbreaking event in late April.Pictured from left to right: Dr. Jean Marie Pagani, presi-

dent, faculty organization of SU; Dr. Connie Chronister, associate professor atPCO; Dr. Holly Myers, associate dean, PCO; Dr. Susan Oleszewski, vice presi-dent and executive director for patient care services at the Eye Institute; Dr.Linda Casser, dean, PCO; and Shana Barrett, president of the class of 2013. WO

Dr. Lorenzana

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OD gets independence in private practice, camaraderie from clinical research group

PrivatePractice

Research

The Best of Both Worlds

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It’s an honor to be recognized for dedication to your pro-fession at least once in your career. Lt. Col. AnnetteWilliamson, OD, of the 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadronat Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has had that privilege threetimes—in one year. She received the Optometrist of the

Year award from Armed Forces Optometric Society (AFOS),Association of Military Surgeons (AMS) and Air Force.

The AFOS recognition cited her role as the first optometrist toconsult for refractive surgery in the Air Force, following ophthal-mology consultants who had filled that role previously. She serves asdirector of the Air Force’s first refractive surgery center, located inSan Antonio, Texas. “It’s the only medical contact lens clinic in theAir Force, and I saw corneal scarring and keratoconus,” she says.

AFOS also recognized Dr. Williamson’s dedication to herhumanitarian missions to Alaska and Honduras. Her Alaskan tripsserve remote villages where residents are lucky to have an examevery three years, if thatoften, and they often have totravel to Anchorage to receivethe care. On one trip, Dr.Williamson discovered a youngboy with a severe cornealulcer. “He had been wearinghis sister’s contact lenses formonths without taking themout,” she says. Dr. Williamsonworked with local healthaides to have a shipment ofmedication flown in. “It’svery rewarding, and I lovedoing trips every chance Iget.” In Honduras, shetrained ophthalmologyresidents, seeing 100patients a day and providing eyeglasses from the Lion’s Club.

Her award from AMS cited her work as an optometricreviewer for the international journal Military Medicine, aswell as her role leading two optometry section meetingsduring its conference. Dr. Williamson collaborated withhealth care specialists from many professions duringthese meetings.

In naming her Optometrist of the Year, the Air Forcelauded her role as chair of the Optometry OptimizationWorking Group. “We have 74 clinics, and the total valueof care provided is $96 million, so we are looking atways to standardize what we do and how new tech-nologies can help us,” Dr. Williamson says. “To makeus as productive as possible, we are hoping to incor-porate data from testing equipment directly intoelectronic medical records.” The transition won’t beeasy, but the process will become more efficient.

Page 16

Dr. SilverCaroline Silver, OD, of Cary, N.C., has beennamed “Best Eye Doctor” in Cary Magazine.This award was derived from record-breakingonline votes and nominations from readersacross Western Wake County.

Dr. Gormley &Dr. Kispert King

At the MarylandOptometricAssociation’s (MOA)annual meeting latelast year, LaurenGormley, OD, ofBaltimore, was named YoungOptometrist of the Year. ChristineKispert King, OD, of Greenbelt, was alsorecognized as the recipient of the MelvinWaxman Award, in honor of her long-term, loyal service to the optometricprofession and to the MOA.

Dr. DeRuyterBecky A. DeRuyter, OD, of Le Mars, was inductedas a Board Trustee of the Iowa OptometricAssociation (IOA) at its annual Congress in lateMarch. At the same meeting, she was alsonamed Young Optometrist of the Year for herservice to the IOA and the profession.

Dr. Robbins-Winter &Dr. Windsor

Linnea Robbins-Winters, OD, ofSouth Bend, became presidentof the Indiana OptometricAssociation at its annual meet-ing in April. Among other ODs

honored, Laura K. Windsor, OD, of Indianapolis, received thePresident’s Citation award and the Meritorious Service award.

MOA President, Dr. ThomasWong, presenting the plaqueto Dr. Kispert King

Dr. Robbins-Winter Dr. Windsor

Womenin the

NEWS

Continued on page 17

Dr. Gormley

Attention!Air Force

OptometristWins Triple Crownof Recognition

Serving as anoptometry flight

commanderand running aclinic are not

unlike managingan independent

practice.

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Women in the NEWSContinued from page 16

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Dr. PeschkeKaren Peschke, OD, of San Marcos, was namedYoung Optometrist of the Year for 2009 bythe California Optometric Association. Dr.Peschke was honored for her contributions toorganized optometry and to her local society,the San Diego County Optometric Society.

Not surprisingfor someone ofher rank, Dr.Williamson shinesas a leader. Shebrings those aroundher together and isnever shy to help outher colleagues. Infact, many of theaccomplishments forwhich she has beencited reflect tasksshe took on for col-leagues who had been

deployed. Even as she accepted the additional responsibilities, shenever lost sight of her full-time role: serving as an optometry flightcommander and running a clinic, not unlike managing an independ-ent practice.

Dr. Williamson is chief of biomedical scientists at the hospital inEglin, representing to the commanders 17 different specialties, includ-ing physician assistants, audiology, physical therapy, podiatry and pub-lic health. She helps these individuals with performance reports, men-tors them for career opportunities and also represents their issues tothe commander as they plan for the future and examine ways to keepprocesses running smoothly.

Dr. Williamson is in her fifth assignment since she joined themilitary in 1995, but she still hasn’t been overseas—somethingshe would love to do when her daughter is a little older. So fornow, she won’t request the transfer, but if she’s asked, she willgladly help out—just as she always does. WO

Dr. SturmJo’el Sturm, OD, of Tulsa, was elected presidentof the Oklahoma Association of OptometricPhysicians.

Dr. Newhouse &Dr. Carman

Beverly Newhouse,OD, of League City,was awarded YoungOD of the Year, andCarolyn Carman, OD,FAAO, of Dallas, wonthe Mollie ArmstrongAward by the TexasOptometric Association.

Dr. Hinkley &Dr. Mika

Two faculty members fromthe Michigan College ofOptometry at Ferris StateUniversity were honored atthe Michigan OptometricAssociation’s (MOA) meetingin January. Sarah Hinkley, OD, of Big Rapids, is the school’s Chief ofLow Vision Services and an assistant professor, and she was namedthe 2009 Young Optometrist of the Year. Associate professor andDirector of Community-Based Services Renee Mika, OD, of BigRapids, received the Keyperson Award for her ongoing and recentcontributions to the MOA.


Dr. Hinkley Dr. Mika

Dr. NewhouseDr. Carman, left, and Dr.Laurie Sorrenson

Dr. BaderRebecca Bader, OD, has been named Director ofOptometry Student Education at the SpokaneVA Medical Center in Spokane, Wash.

Crown © Dydel | Dreamstime.com

Dr. Williamson

Summer and Sunwear

Do your patients know how to protect their eyes fromthe sun? Even though 85 percent of Americans knowUV rays are damaging, only 65 percent wear sunglassesas protection, according to Global Attitudes and

Perceptions About Vision Care by the Vision Care Institute™.HealthyWomen, an independent health information

source for women, is offering a free educational resourceto explain the risks associated with UV exposure tothe eyes and ideas for minimizing UV exposure. FastFacts for Your Health’s “The Sun & Your Eyes: WhatYou Need to Know” is available to ECPs in a cus-tomizable PDF to print or use online by [email protected]. WO

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:56 AM Page 17

Numerous articles have been written on the riseof females in optometry and the impact it willhave on the profession, but I have read few that addressthe challenges we face on a personal level. I am fortunateto have a wonderful family and successful career as a

female doctor of optometry. But every day contains challenges thattest my fortitude. There is a constant tugging at me from all direc-tions, including my family, workplace and profession. The pressuresare primarily positive. They motivate and uplift me. In fact, I thriveon them. Each accomplishment, patient helped, student reached orloving moment with my children propels me forward in a flurry ofhappy chaos. By the end of the day, I sometimes wonder if I havegiven away every piece of myself. I feel like my son’s Silly Putty,cohesive and strong yet stretched this way and that until I’m so thinand wispy that no strength remains. Or maybe I spend too much timewith a three-year-old!

It is on those days when I realize that I must focus on what ismost important in life and ignore the competing tugs a bit. Whilethere is no ideal solution to dealing with the multiple positive andnegative stresses on a professional woman, I have discovered onething. I cannot be perfect. It is such a simple statement, yet it isso difficult to accept. During the overwhelming moments, I ground

myself in the people and relationships I hold dear and divertdistractions until I am re-energized and refocused (and fool-ishly believe I can do it all once again). “So what if thedishes sit in the sink until tomorrow,” I tell myself. “My chil-dren need some mommy time.” But that doesn’t stop me fromthinking about the fact that my house is a mess. Somehow Ihave just gotten over it.

I work in an amazing environment with fantastic people.Every day, I am fortunate to impact the future of optometry,expand students’ knowledge and fuel the fire in their eyes.When I am given the opportunity to speak candidly with

female students and ask them why they chose optometry, mostmention that it is a great career choice for a woman. They cite

the different practice modalities, lack of frequent after-hour emer-gencies and flexibility of hours, all pointing to the ability to balance

personal and professional life. Yet as they progress inthe curriculum, investing every ounce of motivationtoward the attainment of “doctor,” I witness externalpressures influencing decisions. For instance, female stu-dents entering with a desire to work only part-time ornot at all until their children are older often face ridiculefrom family, friends and colleagues. “Why would you giveaway so many years of your life in order to attain a pro-fessional degree, only to throw it away by not working?”Or on the flip side, I have heard women asked, “How canyou be a successful wife and mother when you work somuch? I know you love optometry, but it is impossibleto devote your life to both your career and your family.”And then there are optometric colleagues who have told

me that women are “ruining” the future of the profession by captur-ing many of the seats in optometric classrooms and then choosing“not to work as hard after graduation” as their male counterpartsbecause of family-related choices.

Thankfully, such comments have been few. Pressures seem tomount with each passing year in optometry school, including familysituation, student debt load and a host of other real-life considera-tions. It is not easy. And yet we are strong. We persevere like asmall boat on a journey across the ocean, at times gliding smoothlyalong while at other times feeling pounded on both sides fromrough seas, unsure of our direction but remembering we are strongenough to survive. The paths to determining how to balance thepersonal and professional parts of life are different for each of us,and the external waves we face are unique. But once we choose thepath in optometry that is right for us as individuals and staygrounded in what we value, we can push forward without regretsand enjoy every possible minute this life has to offer. I hope toconvey to my students that it does not have to be a choice betweenpersonal life and professional life—that they can be successful atboth while maintaining a healthy balance.

Sponsors of Women In Optometry


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Dr. Hinkley

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The Challengeof BalanceBy Sarah Hinkley, OD, FCOVDAssistant Professor and Chief of Low Vision ServicesMichigan College of Optometry at Ferris StateUniversity

WO2Q10:WO 2Q08-SK 5/24/10 11:56 AM Page 18

HereTheyCome - Review of Optometry€¦ · will be tremendously valuable. It’s important to...

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Transcript of HereTheyCome - Review of Optometry€¦ · will be tremendously valuable. It’s important to...