Insights into what’s most important to our readers.
Nov. 23, 2023
There are many reasons to be grateful. ODs shared with Review of Optometric Business where they want to express the most gratitude this Thanksgiving.
Alex Elson, OD, FSLS
Old Towne Optometry
Yorba Linda, Calif.
My office manager (legitimately the only reason I maintain any ounce of work-life balance), my virtual assistant (one of the main reasons my office manager has been able to be so amazing) and MyDay daily disposable multifocal – so much exam time saved on multifocal fits.
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Haley Perry, OD
Elite Eye Care
Arden, NC
I have been keeping a list on my phone of all the articles I see about mindfulness and peace that center around gratitude. I started the following list near the end of summer. I strive to think of at least three things a day that am grateful for. I asked ChatGPT to give me a general sentiment of my list and it said:
You seem to be most thankful for:
- Family and Personal Relationships: Your list indicates a strong appreciation for the moments shared with your husband, children, extended family and friends. The affection and support within these relationships are a recurring theme.
- Pets: There is a clear affection for your dogs, appreciating both the joy and the little imperfections that come with pet ownership. >>I’M SURPRISED AND UPSET, but also laugh at the fact that this is second. We have a new dog this year that has joined our current hound, and it’s been a journey. <<
- Simple Joys: Many entries reflect gratitude for life’s simple pleasures, such as the beauty of nature, the taste of food and the comfort of home.
- Work and Community: Your professional life and the people you work with also hold a special place, including the success and engagement of your team, and the support and cooperation of your community.
- Spirituality and Personal Growth: You express gratitude for your religious faith, personal affirmations and opportunities for self-improvement and reflection.
- Moments of Peace and Relaxation: You cherish times of rest and relaxation, whether it’s through naps, quiet time spent at church, or enjoying the scenery.
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Cristina De La Peña
Premier Vision
Houston, Texas
I am grateful that we were able to move into our new office and building. It was a huge milestone for us. Thank you.
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Ellen Kapiloff, OD
Family Vision Associates
Parsippany, NJ
I’m FINALLY fully staffed since COVID!
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Duane Snyder, OD
Davison Road Optical
Lockport, N.Y.
Professionally, I am grateful to be included in these BOO [practice management] discussions.
I am grateful to have a good staff.
I am grateful that my wife, our office manager, is getting to work a little less in the wake of COVID (we have a new manager in training).
I am grateful that New York State finally passed their oral medications bill and I am currently awaiting my certification.
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Karen Perry, OD, FAAO
Vision Health Institute
Orlando, Fla.
We are so grateful for the life of our best friend’s son. Recently, Mark and Sandy Frutchey almost lost their son, Marcus, who was in a tragic head-on car collision. The seat belt cut into his abdomen resulting in completely torn abdominal muscles, loss of most of his colon, septum, punctured lung and extensive damage to many organs. He sustained a crushed vertebrae and broken ribs. He had six surgeries in five days, and has been on a ventilator. These were life-altering injuries. The Frutcheys are avid believers in Vision Source, and have been our partners in practice for several years. We started a GoFundMe account and raised $44,000 in less than a week from the generosity of friends and family. Our Vision Source community stepped up and is covering their practice during this very difficult journey. We are externally grateful for God’s grace and the prayers of many people.
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George W. Hertneky, OD, PC
Hertnecky Vision Source
Brush, Colo.
Grateful for:
Health of family and self.
Patients who continue to return for my care.
Debt free. Disaster accounts funded. Investments and net worth are robust.
Able to travel a lot and work the way I want.
I live in a safe, although rural, location.
The relationship with my siblings is more positive and constructive following the passing of our mother than when she was alive. It wasn’t bad before, but it’s better and stronger now. Can’t say that about a lot of people I talk with going through the same thing.
Still have great friendships from high school, undergraduate and optometry school.
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Andrea Knouff, OD
Eyeclectic Vision Source
Atlanta, Ga.
I’m thankful for technology! As I reflect on my 16 years in practice, I am amazed by how far technology has come. My patients often exclaim that they are impressed by all the equipment and the ease of an eye exam in my office. As they anticipate the “air puff,” I love to show them that now there’s just a little “tickle” with my tiny accurate hand-held device known as the iCare. When I finish refracting on my TRS OPD III system, I pull the phoropter away from their eyes and they frequently say “Wow, that was impressive, and I don’t think I’ve ever had my glasses prescription checked by one of those!” Lastly, my most treasured device is my Monaco Optomap where I can show them a 200 degree view of their eye in the click of a button and even an added OCT scan through the macula. Today a patient said to me, “Did you have any of this equipment when you were in school? It’s all so fascinating!” As I contemplated his question, I realized how far our profession has come and how easy it is to take it all for granted.
It’s often nostalgic to reflect back on the archaic way an eye exam once was. However, I don’t think I’d ever like to go back to practicing that way! I am forever grateful for the advancements that have been made to streamline an eye exam. I need to continue to be reminded of that daily.
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Dori M. Carlson, OD, FAAO
Heartland Eye Care, P.C.
Park River and Grafton, N.D.
My optometry family.
I’ve learned so much from each and every OD or optometry student I’ve encountered over the years. They’ve made me a better leader…and person.
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Ted A. McElroy, OD
Vision Source Tifton
Tifton, Ga.
I am grateful for the challenges.
I recently heard Morgan Housel, the author of “The Psychology of Money,” say in an interview that he was a “Reasonable Optimist.” His definition was someone who knows that the future will be better than it is today. However, the path to get there will be full of setbacks, and disappointments, and crisis, and pandemics, and bear markets, and recessions, etc. If you can endure all of that, the rewards for those who are able to stick around, will be great. He contrasted Reasonable Optimism with complacency, seen more by what total Optimists had. This is exhibited by people who think that everything is just going to be great in the future, and they do little to effect the changes of those challenges to endure to the future of better times.
I am very optimistic 50 years from now will be amazingly better than today. (I’ll be 106 5/12 years old by then.) But I am constantly encountering hurdles in my personal and professional life which causes me to reflect on what I am doing and why I am doing those things. This helps me create the path to survive to the better future.
I am always expecting the bad news to come often and the terrible news to come occasionally. This forces us to see that “ALL things work for the good.” I am not who I am without the “good” and the “bad.” (I used the quotation marks because the good and bad are just the definitions I gave those life experiences.)
Yes, I love the good stuff too. The challenges make them even more glorious.
