OPT Visionary - Winter/Spring 2015

PAGE 24 Faculty 411 What inspired you to pursue a career as an optometric physician? I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in the health field because I felt my purpose was to help others. I went to the University of Florida focused on being a pediatri- cian. In my final year, however, I started thinking about being an eye doctor because I had an aunt lose her vi- sion to diabetes. After doing some research and speaking to my eye doctor, I felt I could make an impact by helping others stay healthy and preserve their vision by being an eye doctor. Being an optometric physician has been a rewarding career. In addition to helping others maintain their sight and health, I’m proud to be an educator. Being part of the process of teaching and mentoring future optometrists as a member of the faculty at NSU has been fulfilling. What attracted you to NSUCO? I applied to NSU’s College of Optometry when it was still a new program because it was a diverse multidisci- plinary program that was the first of its kind amongst op- tometry schools. I had the opportunity to take courses with the medical, pharmacy, and dental students, and I met friends and colleagues from various professions that I still keep in contact with today. NSU also had a diverse and complex patient population, which allowed for the oppor- tunity to see various ocular conditions. As a member of the National Optometric Association (NOA), you team up with underrepresented minority op- tometrists and students to encourage diversity in the pro- fession and to better educate minority populations with poor access to eye health about the importance of early detection and timely treatment since they are at higher risk of developing sight-threatening conditions like glau- coma and diabetic eye disease. Please elaborate on your experience as an ambassador of this organization. The mission of the National Optometric Association is Advancing the Visual Health of Minority Populations . Mi- nority patients are disproportionately more affected by var- ious conditions that can lead to loss of vision. I believe that through education, community engagement, and out- reach we can help to promote eye health and—more im- portantly—the systemic health of those patients. As the NOA continuing education director, I’m committed to help- ing the NOA in its mission. I’m also the chairperson of the Florida Optometric As- sociation Healthy Eye Healthy People Committee. The goal is to educate and promote visual health in accor- dance with the Healthy People 2020 initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I believe that diversity within the schools and profession of optometry is essential to decreasing the burden of vision loss and disability. I have served as the National Optometric Stu- dent Association (NOSA) faculty adviser for a number of years and act as a mentor and guide to the students as well as assist the group in organizing community outreach and education, particularly to minority populations. You help coordinate and participate in the annual NSU interdisciplinary medical outreach trip to Jamaica. What do you find is the biggest reward of these trips? The Jamaica medical outreach trip is an interdiscipli- nary international outreach endeavor that serves the poor and disadvantaged communities in Jamaica. I’ve had the opportunity to participate for over 10 years in these trips, which are both an educational and community service for our students and faculty members. We work alongside students and faculty members from osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, and nursing to provide care to thousands of un- derserved people. In addition to providing eyeglasses to hundreds of patients, the students encounter a number of ocular disease conditions. You are a mentor in the Women of Tomorrow (WOT) Mentor and Scholarship Program. Please elaborate on your role in the organization. Women of Tomorrow (WOT) is a mentoring program focused on helping at-risk girls in high school to realize their potential. I’m a mentor to about 20 girls at Dillard High School—a minority school in urban Fort Laud- erdale. I meet monthly with the girls to discuss various topics such as interview etiquette/skills, peer pressure, and teen violence. The girls participate in field trips to local colleges and workshops on life-tool topics like fi- nancial planning. WOT also provides scholarships to local colleges and state universities. I’ve been fortunate to have a few girls win scholarships to start them on the road to success. What do you consider the greatest highlight of your career? There have been many highlights in my career. When a patient says to me, “You saved my life” with an early or prompt diagnosis, I know I’ve made the right career choice and that I made a difference. As an edu- cator, I’m proud to be a part of the student success. In 2013, I was awarded the NOA Optometrist of the Year Award, which was important to me because it came from my peers. It highlighted that they recognized my passion and dedication to the optometric profession, helping others, and education. What advice do you have for current optometry students or those considering the profession? My advice to current and prospective optometry stu- dents is that as an optometrist, we’re a vital part of the health care team. We can make a difference in our pa- tients’ visual and systemic health and save lives. I would also encourage them to remember to help others and give back. with Sherrol Reynolds, O.D., FAAO Associate Professor Faculty Q&A Dr. Reynolds and her husband, Andre F. Ethridge, pictured at the College of Optometry’s 25 th anniversary celebration.