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Please share with us your background.
My childhood was split between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Columbia, South Carolina. I like to think this is why I love change and new experiences to this day. I knew at an early age that I wanted to go into the medical field because when I was 5 years old, my brother was diagnosed with type I diabetes. I found myself fascinated with systemic health and wondering what was going on in his body.
I obtained my undergraduate degree in biological sciences at Clemson University, and my optometry degree is from Southern College of Optometry. My interest in acute and chronic illness persisted after graduation, prompting me to complete a residency in ocular disease at Associated Eye Care in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Describe your current position.
I work in a private practice with several locations alongside other optometrists. I chose this practice because of the variety of medically driven patient care. I value the collaboration of this environment. My patients range from pediatrics to geriatrics, and I provide primary care and treat ocular surface disease, glaucoma, diabetes, and everything in between.
Who are your mentors?
Several people have had a positive effect on my career thus far and have brought me to where I am today. To only name a few is difficult. Professionally, my residency coordinator, Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO, has been and continues to be a great advocate and tremendous mentor. Rachael Wruble, OD, FAAO, is another inspiring role model.
What has been the most memorable experience of your career thus far?
Participating in MOD Live 2022 was a pivotal point for my overall perspective on optometry. It was a unique opportunity for me to engage with other colleagues, industry, and students in a manner that brought my attention to alternative aspects in the optometric field. Everyone should take advantage of the connections and networks available within optometry to learn more about our field.
What are some new technological advances that you find particularly exciting? Which advances in the pipeline are you most enthusiastic or curious about?
One of the many things I value about optometry is the constant change and advances in our profession. Ocular surface disease has been a large part of my career so far, and I am excited to see where we will be in the next several years. Newer technologies and topical pharmaceuticals are transforming the way we can take care of patients and help optimize their vision long term, in addition to alleviating their symptoms.
Describe a typical day in your life.
Most of my days revolve around patient care. I work 5 days a week at the private practice and occasionally fill in at a local clinic on the weekends. During the week, my clinic days start at 8:00 am and finish around 5:00 pm or 5:30 pm. My evenings consist of work dinners, board meetings, house projects, ultimate frisbee, and time with family and friends. Being 1 year out of residency, I am still fine-tuning my work-life balance.
What advice can you offer to individuals who are just now choosing their career paths after finishing optometry school or a residency?
Optometry is an amazing profession that has several different avenues. Don’t be afraid to go down a path that you might not have necessarily considered for yourself. It’s okay to not know exactly what your future holds or what you want. Maximizing the opportunities that are outside of your comfort zone can open doors or expose you to unexpected experiences.
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