Sharon A. Bentley, BScOptom, MOptom, PhD, MPH, FAAO, FACO, will become dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, in February 2025. In this WO podcast, she talks with Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, about her plans to advocate for excellence with kindness. 

Kerry Giedd, OD, of Eola Eyes in Orlando, Florida, talks about the opportunities with presbyopes and emerging presbyopes. With more treatment and contact lens options available today, there's more that optometrists can do for their patients. 

In this podcast, Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, and Pam Lowe, OD, FAAO, note that the oldest millennials have now turned 40. That presents eye care professionals with a huge opportunity with all of these new emerging presbyopes. The doctors talk about the conversation they have with patients and the innovations in options for these patients. 

In the second part of this discussion on diversity in optometry, moderator Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH,  FAAO,  Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at University of California Berkeley; Camille Cohen, OD,  a Pearle Vision licensed operator in  Brooklyn, New York; Damaris Raymondi, OD, of New York City, social media influencer and podcaster;  Sathi Maiti, OD, a clinical research fellow at Periman Eye Institute in Seattle, Washington; Monique Mohammed, OD, MS, an ocular disease and primary care optometry resident; and Nia Ebrahim, a student at State University of New York College of Optometry student, talk about the promising signs of change and the steps that still need to be taken to create a more equitable and inclusive environment. 

In this powerful roundtable discussion, five optometrists and one optometry student share their stories of the pressures of being first-generation Americans in optometry school and how and why representation matters. Hear from moderator Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH,  FAAO,  Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at University of California Berkeley; Camille Cohen, OD,  a Pearle Vision licensed operator in  Brooklyn, New York; Damaris Raymondi, OD, of New York City, social media influencer and podcaster;  Sathi Maiti, OD, a clinical research fellow at Periman Eye Institute in Seattle, Washington; Monique Mohammed, OD, MS, who is currently an ocular disease and primary care optometry resident; and Nia Ebrahim, a student at State University of New York College of Optometry student. 

What's in the No Surprises Act and how might it apply to optometry? Viola Kanevsky, OD, of New York, New York, president of the New York State Optometric Association, is hoping for guidance on how this can be implemented fairly in smaller practices.  Listeners can also find more information about the act from the American Optometric Association here. 

Bita Asghari, OD,  FAAO, was presented with the Young OD Award at the Theia Awards of Excellence ceremony during the WO Women's Leadership Conference on Nov. 2, 2021. Hear Dr. Asghari describe her journey to this point early in her career and the tribute to the women who paved the way for her and other young ODs. 

On Nov. 2, 2021,  Lauretta Justin, OD, of Orlando, Florida, was honored at the annual Theia Awards of Excellence. Hear how eight simple words changed her outlook. Dr. Justin received the Dr. Mae Booth Jones Mentoring Award. Hear what she had to say. 

Riya Paranthan, OD, of Optometric Physicians Northwest in Bellingham, Washington, talks about the changes that her practice is growing through after a recent merger and the support she gets from HEA + PECAA to help the independent practice remain competitive and profitable. 

Lauretta Justin, OD, founder of Optometry Divas, and Valeria Napoles, winner of the first Optometry Divas scholarship competition, talk about how the process of creating a business plan and getting comprehensive feedback on it has helped her more clearly identify her goals for her final two years at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. With a passion for myopia management services for the Hispanic population, Napoles has thought through her classes and career steps and even the size and layout of a potential future practice. 

Jay Yoon, OD, of Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology in New York, NY, has seen patients—often women or marginalized people—whose symptoms and complaints are not taken seriously because of some bias on the part of a provider. She discusses some examples and the lessons learned for optometry and for anyone who may have to advocate for a patient—or themselves. 

In this episode, the Instagram influencers behind Dr. Eye Beauty (@dreyebeauty)—Jessica Duran, OD, and Lilia Flores, OD—share how their interest in cosmetics and the eyes have helped spark lively discussions and product reviews by patients and practitioners alike. 

Kim Reed, OD, talks about the role that optometrists could and should have in advancing clinical research. She also discusses her career path from academia into industry, where she is now senior medical director, clinical sciences, ophthalmology at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , where she is leading clinical trials in wet AMD and diabetic edema.

In this episode of The Empowered OD series, sponsored by Allergan, Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, of Edmond, Oklahoma, explains how she became more intentional in her communication with patients. Working with a dialogue coach, Dr. McGee became more aware of the intended and unintended consequences of her conversations and how effective communication helps her build areas of practice, such as with her presbyopic patients. 

Elise Brisco, OD, FAAO, CCH, FCOVD, of Hollywood Vision Center in Los Angeles, California, details the way she combines the latest technology along with nutritional and lifestyle counseling to help patients tame their dry eyes to look and feel their best. This episode is sponsored by MedOp, maker of MaxiTears Pro. 

Maggie Craddock is the author of Lifeboat: Navigating Unexpected Career Change and Disruption. She joins WO Voices to discuss the emotional connection we have with money and how that affects our decisions and our lives. 

In January 2020, Stephanie Woo, OD, FAAO, FSLS, opened the Contact Lens Institute of Nevada in Las Vegas, a clinic dedicated entirely to custom contact lenses. Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, shares Dr. Woo's passion for fitting scleral lens patients. Enjoy listening to these two past presidents of the Scleral Lens Education Society talk. 

Jennifer Stewart, OD, of Norwalk Eye Care and Performance 20/20 has been using this time to catch up on webinars and education, spend time with family and plan for how the practice where she's a partner and the sports vision training center she co-founded can be ready to see patients in a safe way. A note stuck on her computer reminds her that crisis creates innovation—and she's looking for innovations to help get these businesses back on track as quickly as possible. 

As Jennifer Stewart, OD, reaches the milestone of a decade in practice ownership, she reflects on how a leap of faith became the best move in transitioning from an associate to a partner early on in her career. Dr. Stewart also shares how Performance 20/20, her sports vision training business, connects her passion for sports with her love of optometry and has allowed her the unique opportunity to collaborate with many training professionals and athletes from novice to nationally recognized.

Eighteen years after her graduation, Michelle Ahumada, OD, opened her own practice in Rancho Mission Viejo, California. She talks about what led her to move ahead with her dream - and how others can, too.

Kimberly Friedman, OD, FAAO, of Moorestown, New Jersey, talks about the choices she made to find balance between her career, work for the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians and her family. She also talks about how practicing and teaching yoga brings her balance in a literal sense. 

Julie Tyler, OD, FAAO, of Nova Southeastern College of Optometry, discusses the unexpected ways that mentorship, leadership and professional collaboration have revealed themselves. 

Rachael Wruble, OD, FAAO, of Belmont and Charlotte, North Carolina, says a job offer is more than a salary. Here are her suggestions for negotiating a deal that will make you happy.

Theresa Colonna, OD, of Westminster Eyecare Associates in Providence, Rhode Island, discusses the importance of using checklists for systematic, consistent employee reviews. The practice has 65 employees, so a method of standardizing the review process was critical. 

Pamela Lowe, OD, FAAO, of Niles, Illinois, discusses the three essential pillars to a successful practice and professional life: advocacy, education and practice management. 

Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, president of the National Optometric Association talks about Three Silent Killers, one of the public awareness campaigns from the NOA focused on diabetes, high blood pressure and glaucoma. Call the NOA at 877-394-2020 for brochures.

Pam Theriot, OD, FAAO, is the author of Alleviate Dry Eye, an eight-week program and workbook for patients. The program uses a four-step treatment plan plus journaling and lifestyle habits. Week 2 emphasizes the need to schedule an eye exam.Visit pamtheriot.com to learn more.

Kerry Giedd, OD, FAAO, of Orlando, Florida, has been traveling to the Dominican Republic for years to provide refractive eye care services. It's a family affair and opportunity for service; her husband and three children just went along on a trip she took in November.

Sharing this from our friends at Review of Optometric Business and CareCredit. Dr. Jill Showalter describes how she can make specialized eye care services more accessible to more patients by accepting patient financing. 

Shauna Thornhill, OD, of Amarillo, Texas, discusses how her annual Sight Before Christmas project has grown. Each year, her practice donates about 200 no-cost eye exams and collects more than 1,000 toys for children in the area. She's optometry's own right jolly old elf.*2020 Update: Dr. Thornhill is still hosting her 9th annual Sight Before Christmas toy drive but is also collecting donations via this Amazon wishlist for those who cannot bring a toy to the store.

Sandra Young, OD, author of Visionary Kitchen: A Cookbook for Eye Health and Heal Your Dry Eyes: Nutrition and Recipes, discusses how certain foods can support a healthy ocular surface. Plus, you’ll learn about sea buckthorn!

Rachael Wruble, OD, FAAO, of Belmont and Charlotte, North Carolina, is the 2018 Theia Award Young OD winner. Listen as she shares negotiating tips that she's used in her career and her advocacy roles.

Lauretta Justin, OD, of Millennium Eye Center in Orlando, Florida, talks about the advantage of a four-hour final work interview. It's one of the elements of pulling together a team that can do magic for a practice.

Lauretta Justin, OD, of Orlando, Florida, talks about the lessons learned in opening a practice and the importance of developing a mission plan.

Whitney Hauser, OD, says that doctors don't need to invest in expensive technologies to start diagnosing and treating patients with dry eye symptoms. As doctors become more familiar with it and assess their community's need, they can scale up. Take me back to the Specialty Services cover story package.

Sandra Young, OD, author of Visionary Kitchen: A Cookbook for Eye Health and Heal Your Dry Eyes: Nutrition and Recipes, joins us to share recipes and menu planning strategies that complement ocular health.

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, from Sacramento, California, and Melissa Zaleski, OD, MPH, from Tampa, Florida, return to ask each other questions and share some strategies for staying grounded and enthusiastic about their work. Dr. Barnett is the co-author of Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application and Dr. Zaleski graduated in 2018 from Nova Southeastern University with an optometry degree and also earned a Masters of Public Health.

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, from Sacramento, California, is a leading authority on scleral lenses. She's the co-author of Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application, and here she shares the passion that drove her to fitting scleral lenses—and why she hopes more doctors will, too. Take me back to the Specialty Services cover story package.

Dori Carlson, OD, FAAO, of Park River, North Dakota, shares that after her year as president of the American Optometric Association, she sought new outlets - in addition to a full-time return to practice and being mom to two teenage sons. Leadership development is the topic that kept drawing her. Hear more about her thoughts on leadership and what she's doing to add to her own skills.

Dori Carlson, OD, FAAO, of Park River, North Dakota, talks about how she found herself outside of her comfort zone as she grew into leadership positions in professional organizations and in her year as the American Optometric Association president, the first woman to hold that position.