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Class Year: 2025
What is your specialty or area of focus (if applicable)?
Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation
List the award(s) / scholarship(s) you have received
DR. FREDERICK W. BROCK MEMORIAL AWARD
What does receiving this award or scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this award gives me confirmation that I have continued on my intended path - elevating my knowledge and skills to provide excellent functional vision care. I am honored to receive an award in the name of the famous Dr. Brock and hope to continue in his footsteps!
What drew you to the field of optometry?
I stumbled upon optometry quite by accident when our family optometrist offered me a job in high school, training as a vision therapist in his private practice. This career served me well for 25 years through high school, college, and raising a family. I am proud to be in a profession and specialty where creativity meets healing.
What are your plans following graduation?
First, I will be taking the summer off to spend some much needed time with my family. Then, I will be pursuing work in private practice with an emphasis on pediatrics and vision rehabilitation.
What was your most transformative experience during optometry school?
My second rotation in 4th year was the perfect setting (doctors, patients, scope) to finally integrate everything I had learned thus far into everyday patient care. I felt like I learned more during those 3 months than in the previous 3 years!
What advice would you give incoming or prospective optometry students?
Optometry school is not mini-ophthalmology training. Explore all the specialties in optometry that no other healthcare professionals can provide. Study hard. Ask questions. Be humble.
