NSUCO - The Visionary Spring 2012

THE V ISIONARY • S PRING 2012 — 16 group that averaged about 25 year of age,” he said. “My life experience was quite different than theirs, so I was concerned about whether I’d be treated as an equal or an outsider.” CAREER SATISFACTION AT NSUCO After graduating from SEUHS’ College of Optometry, which would soon merge with Nova University to become Nova Southeastern University College of Op- tometry (NSUCO), Dr. Patrick completed a contact lens residency at the Univer- sity of Houston College of Optometry in 1995. “A good part of my time was spent precepting students in the school’s contact lens clinic and assisting the senior in- structors who were teaching the contact lens labs,” he stated. “I was hooked the first day I interacted with the students. As a new doctor, my knowledge base was limited, but they didn’t know that. Having them look to you for guidance was one of the greatest feelings I had ever experienced, and that feeling hasn’t diminished in the nearly 17 years I’ve been teaching at NSUCO.” When it came time to chart his future career course, Dr. Patrick had his sights set on only one optometric target: NSU’s College of Optometry. “As for choosing NSUCO, that was easy: I was coming home,” said Dr. Patrick, who began work- ing at NSUCO in August 1995. “I was hired to be the ophthalmic optics lab course master, to serve as an instructor in the contact lens labs, and be a contact lens clinical preceptor. It took a year before I was integrated into the school’s con- tact lens program. However, my teaching duties have changed little over the years at my request. I’ve always believed my personality was best suited for teaching labs. I adore the close interaction I have with students in this setting because it allows me to get to know them both academically and personally. And, as about 1,700 NSUCO students and graduates will tell you, it gives me a chance to do my standup comedy act. Of course, a much smaller number of them think I’m actually funny.” During his 17 years as a College of Optometry faculty member, Dr. Patrick has en- joyed many aspects of his job, including the fulfillment he gets from passing his knowledge on to future generations of optometrists. However, no facet has been quite as gratifying as getting to know his students on a personal basis. “When you interact with 100 or so students over a three-year period, you get to know some of them quite well as you share in their achievements and disap- pointments,” he said. “I’ve never been blessed with children, so I would imagine this is a taste of what any parent experiences. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than having students stop by my office just to talk about life or get some advice. If they only knew I still grapple with the same issues they do.” Although it’s been almost 18 years since he graduated from NSUCO, Dr. Patrick continues to revel in his role as an academic optometrist. “I’m still overwhelmed by the fact I was even able to become an optometrist,” he admitted. “I had as- sumed my years away from school and my health problems would be too much to overcome. In fact, I didn’t even purchase a school T-shirt during my first year because I was convinced I would fail. However, I was also becoming aware of an inner strength I didn’t know I possessed. For four years, I outworked most other students, literally willing myself to succeed. “I also know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my family and friends,” he added. “My parents’ devotion was immeasurable because it was their unyielding belief in me that not only helped get me through optometry school, but life as well. Unfortunately, they’re gone now, but their spirit lives on in my brother and me. I’d also be remiss in not mentioning the many friends who made life as an NSUCO student one of the greatest experiences of my life—Drs. Kenny Boyle, Jose Castillo, Richard Cohen, Bruce Consor, Wayne Golden, Toni Li- catta, David Lopp, Rosie Misraji, and Steve Silverstone.” Dr. Arnie Patrick: A Walk Down Memory Lane... Dr. Patrick (far left) in the early 1980s with his brother Marty, mom Evelyn, and dad Harry. FUTURE O.D.?