Name: Travis Pfeifer 2023 Student Visionary Spotlight

Class Year: 2023

What is your specialty or area of focus (if applicable)?
Cornea and Contact Lens

List the award(s) / scholarship(s) you have received
JOHNSON AND JOHNSON EXCELLENCE AWARD Excellence in Clinical Contact Lenses Patient Care DR. MAX COHEN MEMORIAL AWARD for Volunteer Commitment to Community Service

What does receiving this award or scholarship mean to you?
JOHNSON AND JOHNSON EXCELLENCE AWARD Excellence in Clinical Contact Lenses Patient Care: I'm honored to be receiving this award, as it highlights my passion for patient care and contact lenses. Contact lenses have an incredible capability to improve patients lives and this award motivates me to continue pushing for what's possible in bettering patients' lives. I plan to spend my career implementing different lens modalities and working to advance the technology available. DR. MAX COHEN MEMORIAL AWARD for Volunteer Commitment to Community Service: This award means an immense amount to me as it recognizes my efforts to advocate for my classmates. My classmates inspire me and push me to be better so I wanted to do anything I could to set them up to succeed. I hope to continue to be a resource for my colleagues in our future careers.

What drew you to the field of optometry?
I was drawn into the field of optometry by our ability to help people. So much of the world is visual and I wanted to spend every day providing patients with their best vision possible.

What are your plans following graduation?
I will be pursuing a residency in cornea and contact lenses at SUNY Optometry.

What was your most transformative experience during optometry school?
My most transformative experience was the first patient that I intiated scleral lens wear for and saw for all follow ups until we reached the final lens. This highlighted to thought and effort that is required to achieve a well fitting lens. This also showed me our ability to connect with our patients to really understand and focus in on their concerns.

What advice would you give incoming or prospective optometry students?
Find your passion and run with it! When you really care about something, people can feel it and will want to help you achieve your goals. Really listen to others, whether it's patients, professors, or classmates. A lot can be learned from other people's experiences.