1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
Easily the most rewarding aspect of my job is that I am able to help my patients care for one of their most highly valued senses — sight. The scope of what I do, diagnose, and treat is quite vast, but perhaps the most rewarding is working with children whose vision problems interfere with their ability to read, learn, comprehend, and even pay attention. Watching them excel in school after treatment is such a delight to see. The antithesis to this is having to inform a patient when a disease has affected an aspect of their visual system to where they are at a high risk of losing this most cherished sense. Even though I give these patients ample time and care, it still makes for a very challenging day.
2. Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
By far, the woman I admire the most in business is my dear friend Debbie Carter-Dye. She is the founder and director of Kids In Super Shape (KISS), a 7th grade schoolteacher, and the true essence of “if you set your mind to it, it can be done.” Her amazing persistence, energy, innovative creativity, and hard work has allowed her to rise to success, with her core motivation being a selfless desire to help children.
Just one example to illustrate this vigor is when she put to mind her desire to promote her KISS program. Within two years, she was showcased on several local, large-city television stations, she involved her state’s governor and several professional sports athletes in the program, her story was shown on “Dr. Oz,” and she pitched her program for support to Oprah.
I was not born into a privileged family and have worked hard for all of my successes. I truly believe people create their own limitations and can be their own biggest obstacles. If you dream big, even though it might be quite difficult to get to where you want, hard work and persistence will get you there.
3. What has been the high point of your career so far?
The high point in my career thus far happened just a few months ago. I was awarded Wisconsin’s 2014 Young Optometrist of the Year by the Wisconsin Optometric Association. I am not one to seek recognition for my efforts, as that’s not why I do it, but it was such an honor to receive. Nominated and awarded by my peers, it was a complete surprise. In the short time I’ve been in practice, I’ve put a tremendous amount of time toward my career in business, legislative advocacy on the state and federal level, volunteering care toward those in need, student support, and being a board member of our association. With all that time in, it’s nice to know it does not go unrecognized.
4. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
As a cyclist living in a city that is one of the most accommodating to cyclists, how could I not love living here! I not only fully utilize all of the city and county biking trails, but I hike the parks, eat the local farm-to-table foods, and enjoy shopping the vibrant small businesses. The comradery in Madison is amazing and welcoming. Dane County exhibits the Midwest mentality at its finest. Madison has an incredible mix of high-quality life assets. A world-class university, a beautiful state capitol, a relatively low crime rate, a vibrant atmosphere, a remarkable mix of outdoor recreation opportunities beyond biking, and a booming economy. This makes Madison global in scale for a small city. Madison and Dane County do not fall short of amazing and perfectly suit the lifestyle I desire. The only drawback is I enjoy conversing with my patients beyond what the exam time limit allows.
5. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
In my personal life, career not included, I am the epitome of a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I love to live an adventurous life and I aspire to have fun experiencing all it has to offer. Mostly I enjoy road biking, hiking, travel, and Badgers games. But there are many others in addition to this. After a short attempt to learn how to play the violin this past summer, I tabled the lessons for a while to learn how to fly. So I am currently taking private pilot lessons. And after that, maybe glassblowing in Venice?
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