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By Maggie Fernandez
September 4, 2026
Over the past 18 years, I’ve had the honor of interviewing hundreds of optometrists. Each story is unique, and I enjoy shining a spotlight on these doctors and the many pathways to success in this profession.
It can be easy to pick a side and label one approach “right” or “wrong” with so many options. This year’s launch of The Divide, a point-counterpoint series from Review of Optometric Business, shows that when we step back and consider both sides, the sky really is the limit.
Even with some of the most controversial topics, The Divide shows that difference can be strengths.
Who Should Run the Practice?
We asked Christopher Wolfe, OD, FAAO, Dipl. ABO, and Thanh Mai, OD: who’s best suited to be the practice manager?
Dr. Wolfe argues that strong leadership, systems and accountability from the owner are essential, while Dr. Mai says a qualified non-OD manager can excel in the operational role and help the practice scale.
Review of Optometric Business professional editor Laurie Sorrenson, OD, FAAO, shared her perspective on office managers in this response.
Open on Saturdays: Business Boon or Business Boondoggle
Kurt Steele, OD, and Vittorio Mena, OD, MS, address the decision of opening on Saturdays and evenings and the impact on patients and the business. Dr. Steele sees closing these hours as an opportunity to strengthen team morale, support family life and create a healthier practice culture. Dr. Mena explains how he’s seen that Saturday hours can improve patient access, increase traffic and revenue and better match practice hours to patient demand.
Hiring Family: Team Builder or Tension Maker?
Dr. Sorrenson and Oliver Lou, OD, practice just down the road from each other in Cedar Park, Texas. Yet when it comes to hiring family, there’s a great distance in their opinions. Dr. Sorrenson sees the opportunity in increased trust and retention when building her team, which includes her son Eric Hammond, OD. Dr. Lou argues that hiring family crosses boundaries that shouldn’t be blurred.
We asked readers to weigh in on this topic, and about two-thirds of respondents had, indeed, hired a family member. Slightly more than half said it was a good decision, with trust and shared values as the top reasons why. Just 40% said they would hire family members again.
What’s Your Pathway to Success?
As we continue exploring conversations for The Divide, I invite you to share your own journey to success. What choices have shaped your practice, and what have you done differently?
My hope is that these stories inspire others to think differently, ask better questions and remember that there is more than one path to building a thriving practice—no choosing sides required.
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Maggie Fernandez is the senior editor of Review of Optometric Business and Independent Strong. To contact her: mbiunno@jobson.com |
