Tell us a little about your background.
I grew up in Momence, Illinois. I always envisioned becoming a lawyer because I enjoy critical thinking and debate. I went to college to study chemistry with the plan of going into patent law.
How did you develop an interest in optometry?
We had a patent lawyer come to speak in one of our chemistry classes, and after hearing him describe his career, I decided it wasn’t for me. So, I explored other career options in health care. I took a job as an optometric tech during college to learn more about the profession. I really enjoyed the combination of problem solving and working with patients to improve their vision and ocular health, so I decided to attend the State University of New York College of Optometry after my undergraduate degree.
How did you come to be in your current role?
After practicing optometry in New York City for about a decade, I relocated to St. Louis in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, due to my partner’s job. I used this downtime to explore other meaningful ways that I could use my education and clinical experience. After looking at many different options, I decided to explore the industry side of eye care.
I initially secured a role as a medical science liaison for a large pharmaceutical company, and after gaining some experience in that role, I decided to make the move to Tarsus. I was attracted to the company because, at the time, it was developing the first treatment for a prevalent eyelid disease, Demodex blepharitis, that I had seen for many years as a practicing OD. This seemed like an exciting opportunity and a way for me to potentially help millions of patients. I’ve been with Tarsus for nearly a year, and just recently, lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25% (Xdemvy) received FDA approval for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.
What does your typical workday look like? What are your main responsibilities?
I am a Senior Medical Ambassador on the Medical Affairs team. My role is nonpromotional and focuses on scientific education, clinical trial support, and insights generation. I’m a field-based employee, so I spend the majority of my time traveling to meet with optometrists and ophthalmologists to learn from them, educate them on our clinical trial data, and build mutually beneficial relationships. I also conduct educational programs for students and residents and represent Tarsus at national and local eye care conferences. The Tarsus culture is also very collaborative, so I’ve had the opportunity to work with colleagues across other functions, which has given me a greater understanding of the pharmaceutical industry as a whole.
What are the most rewarding or enjoyable aspects of your job?
As an OD, I have had some wonderful peer-to-peer discussions with eye care providers. It’s also been rewarding to work on a disease state (Demodex blepharitis) that has been underdiagnosed because it has allowed me to provide meaningful education on its prevalence and patient effect. I’ve seen an increase in awareness through our efforts as a Medical Affairs team. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve been lucky to work with an amazing group of colleagues. In fact, all 10 senior medical ambassadors on my team are clinically trained ODs! I’ve never felt more supported or valued in a work environment.
What have you learned through your industry role that you never would have learned working in a practice setting?
I’ve learned so much about the drug development process, which is such an important part of working in industry.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in the optometric industry?
Be open-minded. There are a lot of opportunities to grow personally and professionally in industry. When interviewing, be confident in your strengths and emphasize what makes you stand out. Reach out to contacts who are already in the industry. There’s a growing number of ODs outside of traditional practice settings, and we’re happy to share our experiences!
What motivates you?
A challenging and fulfilling work life that also allows quality and balance in my personal life. I’m fortunate to be a part of a diverse, supportive, and enthusiastic team and a company that values work-life balance. I work hard, but still have time to train for marathons, read a book a week, and spend quality time with my partner and cats.
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