Name: Veena Bokka 2023 Student Visionary Spotlight

Class Year: 2023

What is your specialty or area of focus (if applicable)?
Pediatrics, Ocular Disease

List the award(s) / scholarship(s) you have received
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AWARD GOOD-LITE PEDIATRIC AWARD

What does receiving this award or scholarship mean to you?
These awards give me the freedom to pursue my passions while having a strong support system. They give me a reason to push myself further and I'm incredible honored to have received them.

What drew you to the field of optometry?
I'm a visual learner, so I understand how important vision is. In addition, being able to see into the eye caters to the way I learn and I felt I could be a better clinician because of that.

What are your plans following graduation?
I'm starting a residency at BronxCare for Ocular Disease/Primary Care.

What advice would you give incoming or prospective optometry students?
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's something you will be expected to make many of during your educational career. Every mistake you make will be a learning lesson so don't be discouraged. Remember you are still learning so don't judge yourself based on how you are in the beginning of your career. Be excited for the journey and where you can end up.