Creating Space for Others to Rise

Optometry has always been more than a profession for me—it's my medium for giving. My Myers-Briggs personality type is INTJ, and as an INTJ, I’m wired to see systems and quietly improve them. But I’ve found my greatest gift lies in the interpersonal, in that unspoken moment when a patient feels safe, seen, and settled. I’ve come to embrace my life's role as a stabilizer—and as a healthcare provider, that means I offer not just care, but clarity. And while that emotional lift can sometimes be draining for an introvert, I consider it one of the highest honors of our field.

My path to optometry was personal long before it became professional. I was born with a strabismus and had undergone seven surgeries by age 13. Eye doctors were a central part of my childhood—and eventually, my calling. Before joining the Illinois College of Optometry as a full-time faculty member, I completed a residency and practiced in private, surgical co-management, and commercial settings, and taught at two medical schools. Those years helped me transition my perspective from mentee to mentor and sharpen my ocular disease skills.

VSP Vision has been a consistent partner, beginning long before and throughout my time at ICO—supporting not only our students but also the programs I’ve built to inspire future optometrists at the undergraduate and high school level. From the Pre-Health Professions Crash Course to Doctor for a Day, VSP's investment in the next generation of optometrists is felt deeply and greatly valued.

At a recent VSP Eyes of Hope event at Glenwood Academy, I was moved by the school’s mission—serving youth and families who have experienced trauma, transition, and all the unpredictable turns of life. Located just outside Chicago, it was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most powerful moments happen close to home. For many of these children, that wasn’t just their first eye exam—it was their first step toward seeing themselves differently.

While I care about legacy, representation, and public health, mentorship is what grounds my work. It’s the reason I teach, the reason I try to inspire, and the reason I make myself available to any student who needs a curbside clinical consult or an honest conversation. VSP’s mission echoes that. Together, we’re not just giving back—we’re creating space for others to rise.