One to Watch: Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS

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Please share with us your background.

I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a competitive dancer and cheerleader. I first became interested in optometry in the third grade as a young myope, when my mom convinced my dad’s friend, who was an amazing local optometrist, to fit me in contact lenses. The rest is history.

I received my undergraduate degree from The University of Arizona, where I was a cheerleader, and went on to earn my doctorate in optometry from Nova Southeastern University. I then completed my residency in ocular disease at The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Describe your current position.

I am practice owner/doctor at West Broward Eyecare Associates, and co-founder and CEO of Dr. Contact Lens, which was ranked number 41 on the Inc 5000 list as one of the fastest growing companies in the country.

I enjoy practicing full scope optometry with an emphasis on myopia management. I love seeing little kids and helping to change their vision for the future, as well as fitting specialty contact lenses for patients with keratoconus and other corneal diseases.

I also enjoy sharing my passion for the business side of optometry by presenting on how I created a myopia management practice and by implementing helpful software to enable our staff to be better team members.

Who are your mentors?

I’ve had many over the years, including: my husband, Joshua Pasol, MD, and my two sons, my mom, dad, and amazing sister. Also Jennifer Tabiza, OD; Scot Morris, OD; John McSoley, OD; Mark Dunbar, OD, FAAO; Natalie Townsend, OD; Christy Lu, OD; Melanie Denton Dombrowski, OD, MBA, FAAO; Ben Gaddie, OD; Gustavo Garmizo, OD, FAAO; Melissa Tada, OD; Tom Clyde, OD; Scott Pearl, OD; Julie Rodman, OD, MS, FAAO; Diana Shechtman, OD, FAAO; Lauretta Justin, OD; William To, OD; John Bascom, OD, FACS; Amjad Badwan, OD; Bart Foster, and my Forum Group Members. My incredible staff at West Broward Eyecare and at Dr. Contact Lens.

What has been the most memorable experience of your career thus far?

During my residency, I was introduced to Dr. Garmizo, who I ended up joining. That moment changed the trajectory of my career, and I am forever grateful for that introduction.

What are some new technological advances you find particularly exciting? Which advances in the pipeline are you most enthusiastic or curious about?

The advances in myopia management and presbyopia. Optometry is so abundant in what we can to do to help patients. I’m also excited about the advances we are making on the business side to be there for our patients, even when our offices are not open.

Describe a typical day in your life.

I start my day similar to any working mom. I drop my boys off at school before heading either to my practice or to our Dr. Contact Lens office. Depending on the day, I might see patients, manage West Broward Eyecare, and advance our practice, or I might meet with doctors around the country to introduce them to Dr. Contact Lens, work on Dr. Contact Lens’ programming road map, or sit in on business development meetings with partners or for onboarding.

I try to fit in yoga, a home workout, or a trip to the pool once everyone gets home. I also love reading and listening to business or mindset podcasts.

What advice can you offer to individuals who are just now choosing their career paths after finishing optometry school or a residency?

Apply for a residency. There are so many different paths in optometry, and industry opportunities, speaking engagements, practice opportunities, and relationships you will build will put you ahead by leaps and bounds.

Surround yourself with amazing people who are smarter than you, and watch yourself grow and learn. Every day, I am excited to be an optometrist and a business owner, and share my vision with the world around me.