WO Voices
152 episodes - English - Latest episode: 26 days ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsWelcome to WO Voices, a podcast series from Women In Optometry, featuring women ODs and others who talk about some aspect of practice, business, career choices, family, volunteer interests, leadership in the profession and more. Hosted by WO editor Marjolijn Bijlefeld, WO Voices is a chance to share ideas within the WO community and beyond. It’s another platform to bring women’s voices in the profession to the fore. If you’d like to join us on a podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you.
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Episodes
Dr. Melanie Weiss: Being Clean and Sober Is an Amazing Feeling (Part 2)
January 14, 2020 22:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBMelanie Weiss, OD, in the second part of a two-part podcast, describes how she found help in treatment and in a supportive community, including optometrists who helped her keep her practice afloat after news of her opioid addiction became publicly known. Now back at work, she dedicates 20 percent of her time to talking about addiction and recovery and has launched Vision of Hope at myvisionmyhope.com. Asking for help doesn't make you weak, she says. It makes you strong. Listen to part 1.
Dr. Melanie Weiss: Battling an Opioid Addiction (Part 1)
January 07, 2020 21:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBMelanie Weiss, OD, of Watertown, South Dakota, had it all: a loving husband, three beautiful daughters, a successful optometry practice. Her opioid addiction put it all at risk. In part 1 of this 2-part series, Dr. Weiss describes how three surgeries in three years contributed to a hellish dependency. The day she was arrested became the turning point in getting her life back in order. Listen to part 2.
Dr. Melanie Weiss: Battling an Opioid Addiction - Part I
January 07, 2020 21:00 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBMelanie Weiss, OD, of Watertown, South Dakota, had it all: a loving husband, three beautiful daughters, a successful optometry practice. Her opioid addiction put it all at risk. In part 1 of this 2-part series, Dr. Weiss describes how three surgeries in three years contributed to a hellish dependency. The day she was arrested became the turning point in getting her life back in order.
Dr. Emily Bjore: $400K in Combined Student Loan Debt Is Gone
December 17, 2019 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBEmily Bjore, OD, of Eagen, Minnesota, and her husband had accumulated nearly $400K in student loan debt. Hear how they decided to scrap the 30-year-repayment plan and accelerate the payment—and stuck with it, even after a serious illness.
Dr. Michele Andrews: Recognizing Leadership Opportunities
October 29, 2019 17:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBYou don't have to look far to find an opportunity to flex your leadership muscle, says Michele Andrews, OD. "Start where you are." Dr. Andrews says opportunities to see leadership in action are everywhere—as are opportunities to encourage others to explore their potential.
Dr. Nadia Virani: Perspectives from Inside the OMD Office
October 15, 2019 17:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBNadia Virani, OD, of Dallas, Texas, expected to go into pediatric optometry when she was presented with a great opportunity to join an OMD practice. Enthralled with new technologies, she thought it would be a great experience to learn about surgical options and IOLs. Now five years later, she has also gained new perspectives on the OMD/OD relationship and how great co-management can help all eye care professionals thrive.
Dr. Jennifer Stewart: Part of the Team
October 08, 2019 19:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBAs 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.
Dr. Whitney Hauser: Clinical Protocols Are Like a Roadmap
September 24, 2019 19:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBHaving a clinical protocol in place can make the journey of clinical decision-making and consistency so much clearer. Whitney Hauser, OD, now director of clinical affairs at Keplr Vision, talks about the ways that developing and using a clinical protocol for dry eye and other ocular conditions can help.
Dr. Whitney Hauser: Clinical Protocols Are Like a Roadmap
September 24, 2019 19:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBHaving a clinical protocol in place can make the journey of clinical decision-making and consistency so much clearer. Whitney Hauser, OD, now director of clinical affairs at Keplr Vision, talks about the ways that developing and using a clinical protocol for dry eye and other ocular conditions can help.
Dr. Julie Steinhauer: Giving Vision Therapy a Boost Through Syntonic Phototherapy
September 03, 2019 20:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBJulie Steinhauer, OD, FCOVD, of Vision For Life in Glen Carbon, Illinois, has been offering developmental vision care exclusively now for more than seven years. Her practice draws patients from throughout Illinois and around the world as she is one of relatively few providers who use syntonic phototherapy along with traditional in-office vision therapy. Hear how it works.
Angela Fisher Aprahamian: Don't Push Recalls Off
August 20, 2019 21:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBAngela Fisher Aprahamian of National Recalls in Los Angeles, California, says that optometric practices can have effective recall strategies for reactivating patients—but only if the task is specifically part of someone's work day or work week. She describes the process her employees use—and how those could be adapted for in-house use.
Angela Fisher: Don't Push Recalls Off
August 20, 2019 21:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBAngela Fisher of National Recalls in Los Angeles, California, says that optometric practices can have effective recall strategies for reactivating patients—but only if the task is specifically part of someone's work day or work week. She describes the process her employees use—and how those could be adapted for in-house use.
Dr. Sally Halim: How Training for a Triathlon Helps Sharpen Practice Skills
August 06, 2019 21:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBSally Halim, OD, of Village Eyecare in Woolwich Township, New Jersey, trains for a half dozen or so triathlons or half Ironman races a year. The training has taught her time management skills, focus and a willingness to challenge herself, along with other lessons that she's brought to bear in her private practice.
Dr. Millicent Knight: Finding Leadership Opportunities Where They Arise
July 30, 2019 21:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBEven when she was an optometry school student, Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, began to advocate for the profession and patients. In her new role as Senior Vice President, Customer Development Group, and a member of the leadership team at Essilor, she can do so from an even larger platform.
Dr. Meg Richardson: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
July 15, 2019 18:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBOpening a practice involves making so many important and expensive decisions—where, what it looks like, who it serves, what products to carry and what technology investments to make. Meg Richardson, OD, of Twenty Twenty Family Vision Center in Racine, Wisconsin, found help and support from PECAA and its relationship with RevolutionEHR.
Dr. Nicole Trabuc: Running a Practice Their Way
July 03, 2019 13:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MBNicole Trabuc, OD, and her husband, Kyle Wainwright, OD, have two practices in Manhattan, Kansas—one which Dr. Wainwright took on inside a Walmart and a private practice the couple opened recently. They made some unconventional choices, such as paying down their combined $200,000 in student loan debt in just more than three years, not taking any vision insurance, and opening a gym as a side business. So far, it's working well for them.
Dr. Samantha Hornberger: "Sales" Is Not a Dirty Word
June 25, 2019 23:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBSamantha Hornberger, OD, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, realized her patients follow her treatment recommendations a large percentage of the time. Why? Because she models a mindset that encourages her staff to follow through. Hear how she encourages "sales" and how everyone - from patient to staff to community - benefits.
Dr. Carol Alexander: Leadership Matters
June 17, 2019 18:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBCarol Alexander, OD, FAAO, Head, North America Professional Relations at Johnson & Johnson Vision, discusses how she followed leadership opportunities. One key piece of advice: if you say yes, give it your all.
Dr. Michelle Ahumada: Not the Practice-opening Sequence She Expected, But the One That Worked
June 11, 2019 21:00 - 19 minutes - 9.02 MBEighteen 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.
Dr. Kimberly Friedman: The Value of Balance
May 20, 2019 17:00 - 20 minutes - 9.65 MBKimberly 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.
Dr. Lori Grover and Dr. Melissa Zaleski: Engaging in the Profession
April 30, 2019 16:00 - 26 minutes - 12 MBLori Grover, OD, PhD, FAAO, and Melissa Zaleski, OD, MPH, discuss strategies for creating a professional network once the infrastructure of a school-based program has ended.
Dr. Julie Tyler: Academic Careers Brings Expected and Unexpected Opportunities
April 08, 2019 04:00 - 21 minutes - 9.76 MBJulie Tyler, OD, FAAO, of Nova Southeastern College of Optometry, discusses the unexpected ways that mentorship, leadership and professional collaboration have revealed themselves.
Dr. Caroline Guerrero Cauchi: You Can Make Myopia Management Part of Your Practice
April 02, 2019 04:00 - 20 minutes - 9.26 MBCaroline Guerrero Cauchi, OD, FIAO, of La Mesa, California, talks about the upcoming orthokeratology meeting (orthokmeeting.com) May 15-19. She describes the steps she took and teaches to help others bring myopia management techniques and counseling into their practices. Take me back to the Specialty Services cover story package.
Dr. Rachael Wruble: Negotiate for the Win-win
March 19, 2019 04:00 - 24 minutes - 11.2 MBRachael 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.
Dr. Athena Brasfield: Success in a Low-income Area
March 12, 2019 16:00 - 22 minutes - 10.5 MBAthena Brasfield, OD, wants to close the disparity in access to eye care. Her practices in the desert communities of Indio and Coachella, California, show that an efficiently run practice can be profitable and serve the mission of bringing eye care to the underserved.
Dr. Lori Grover: Low-value and High-value Services
March 04, 2019 05:00 - 22 minutes - 10.4 MBEvidence-based practices matter in helping to establish which services are of high value and which ones are of low value, says Lori Grover, OD, PhD, FAAO. Dr. Grover serves on the board of trustees for the American Optometric Association (AOA) and is the author of several AOA evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. ODs, she says, need to help establish that the work they do meets these high-value levels.
Dr. Jenny Coyle: Educating Tomorrow's OD
February 26, 2019 05:00 - 23 minutes - 10.9 MBJenny Coyle, OD, MS, FAAO, Dean of the Pacific University College of Optometry, discusses how much optometric education and optometry students have changed in the 30 years that she has been on campus at Pacific. She shares her enthusiasm for mentoring and encouraging the next generation of ODs and leaders. [Dr. Coyle becomes the Dean of Optometry at Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University as of Dec. 1, 2019.]
Dr. Theresa Colonna: Checklists Streamline Training and Review
February 19, 2019 05:00 - 23 minutes - 10.6 MBTheresa 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.
Dr. Stacey Coulter: The Littlest Eyes - Pediatric Optometry
February 12, 2019 05:00 - 24 minutes - 11.3 MBRachel A. “Stacey” Coulter, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FCOVD, associate professor in NSU’s College of Optometry, discusses the importance of pediatric optometry, why she's passionate about it and how ODs can find their comfort level with kids.
Dr. Sherrol Reynolds: The National Optometric Association's Mission and History
February 02, 2019 05:00 - 20 minutes - 9.61 MBSherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, president of the National Optometric Association talks about the organization's rich 50-year-history and its mission to advance the visual health of the minority population and recruit and support minorities in optometry.
Dr. Theresa Colonna: Use Customized Video Training for Staff
January 28, 2019 05:00 - 21 minutes - 9.89 MBTheresa Colonna, OD, of Westminster Eyecare Associates in Providence, Rhode Island, has mastered a strategy for consistent and thorough staff training in the use of instrumentation and procedures: customized video. Hear how she developed this process as the staff at this practice grew to 65 employees. And you can learn more about the videos themselves here.
Dr. Pam Lowe: The Three Pillars of Practice Success
January 15, 2019 05:00 - 25 minutes - 11.8 MBPamela Lowe, OD, FAAO, of Niles, Illinois, discusses the three essential pillars to a successful practice and professional life: advocacy, education and practice management.
Dr. Sherrol Reynolds: The Three Silent Killers - A Campaign from the NOA
January 04, 2019 17:00 - 16 minutes - 7.72 MBSherrol 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.
Dr. Pam Theriot: A Patient's Step-by-step Treatment Guide
December 07, 2018 22:00 - 21 minutes - 9.89 MBPam 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.
Dr. Kerry Giedd: Pack up the Family; We're Going on a Mission Trip
December 05, 2018 21:00 - 21 minutes - 9.97 MBKerry 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.
SmartMoney - Jill Showalter, OD: Building a Dry Eye Practice
December 03, 2018 01:00 - 11 minutes - 5.2 MBSharing 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.
Dr. Shauna Thornhill: Move Over, Santa
November 27, 2018 20:00 - 20 minutes - 9.62 MBShauna 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.
Dr. Sandra Young: A Sea Buckthorn Smoothie Changed My Life
November 23, 2018 20:00 - 17 minutes - 7.84 MBSandra 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!
Dr. Rachael Wruble: Young ODs - Know Your Worth
November 17, 2018 16:00 - 20 minutes - 9.62 MBRachael 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.
Dr. Lauretta Justin: What to Look for in Team Members
November 10, 2018 23:00 - 16 minutes - 7.59 MBLauretta 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.
Dr. Lauretta Justin: Success Leaves Clues
November 03, 2018 04:00 - 15 minutes - 7.33 MBLauretta Justin, OD, of Orlando, Florida, talks about the lessons learned in opening a practice and the importance of developing a mission plan.
Dr. Whitney Hauser: Can You Dabble in Dry Eye?
October 16, 2018 04:00 - 21 minutes - 9.77 MBWhitney 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.
Dr. Sandra Young: Refrigerator Alchemy: Nutrition for Eye Health
October 02, 2018 04:00 - 16 minutes - 7.52 MBSandra 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.
Dr. Lauretta Justin: Building Ramps - Strategies for Working With Special Needs Kids
September 25, 2018 04:00 - 23 minutes - 10.9 MBLauretta Justin, OD, of Orlando, Florida, shares strategies for working with children with special needs, many of them gleaned from her own experience navigating doctors' visits and other events with her own sons.
Dr. Melissa Barnett and Dr. Melissa Zaleski: Staying Grounded and Enthusiastic
September 18, 2018 04:00 - 16 minutes - 7.72 MBMelissa 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.
Dr. Melissa Barnett and Dr. Melissa Zaleski: Different Perspectives
September 18, 2018 04:00 - 18 minutes - 8.45 MBMelissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, from Sacramento, California, and Melissa Zaleski, OD, MPH, from Tampa, Florida, share their perspectives as an experienced OD and new graduate. 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.
Dr. Melissa Barnett: The Joy of Fitting Scleral Lenses
September 11, 2018 04:00 - 20 minutes - 9.28 MBMelissa 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.
Dr. Maria Sampalis: Push Through the Fear
September 03, 2018 04:00 - 13 minutes - 6.41 MBMaria Sampalis, OD, of Cranston, Rhode Island, recently released her book, Finding Your Best Potential Future Self Now. She discusses the importance of taking risks - large and small - as a step in personal development
Dr. Dori Carlson: Life After an AOA Term
August 24, 2018 04:00 - 14 minutes - 6.73 MBDori 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.
Dr. Laurie Sorrenson - Choose Your Team Carefully
August 23, 2018 04:00 - 18 minutes - 8.74 MBLaurie Sorrenson, OD, FAAO, of Lakeline Vision Source in Austin, Texas, talks about the importance of bringing on associates who can help you grow your practice.