In this episode of 20/Happy Careers, Dr. Fred Cho sits down with Dr. Fiona Soong to explore her career journey.

We chat about her early days working in Bermuda, the fascinating world of clinical research, becoming a KOL in myopia control, and looking beyond at her next career chapter.

Fiona shares lessons she's learned along the way, things she'd do differently, and the importance of pursuing curiosity both inside and outside the clinic.

What does it take to leave a thriving clinical career — and find something even more aligned?

For Dr. Deborah Wang, it was a phone call that changed everything.

After graduating from SUNY Optometry in 2020, Deborah built a meaningful career at a busy Brooklyn ophthalmology practice. But when her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2022, Deborah's priorities — and eventually her career path — transformed entirely.

Now serving as Director of Career Development and CSTEP Project Director at SUNY Optometry, Deborah channels her passion for people, mentorship, and community into supporting the next generation of optometrists.

In this episode, we explore:

• Navigating early-career challenges as a first-hire in a busy ophthalmology practice
• How caring for a terminally ill parent reshaped her definition of work and life
• The pivot from clinical practice to academic career development
• Building career capital as a student
• Balancing ambition with burnout prevention: a framework for saying yes wisely

Deborah's core belief is simple but powerful: follow your why, stay open, and the universe will answer.

Whether you're a student figuring out your path or a clinician wondering what's next, this one's for you.

Connect with Deborah:
LinkedIn: Dr. Deborah Wang I SUNY Optometry Career Development

Dr. Dana Blakolmer is an optometrist from Oshawa, Ontario, with 30 years of practice experience. After learning her grandmother was a residential school survivor who had hidden her indigenous identity all her life, Dana began connecting with her roots — and eventually started providing eye care to Indigenous communities in rural British Columbia.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Dana discovered her Indigenous heritage after her grandmother's passing
• What it's like to run a mobile eye clinic
• Importance of cultural safety and awareness
• Why primary care, done with full presence, is more than enough
• What 30 years of practice teaches you that optometry school never could

Dana's core belief: you never stop learning, and the moment you think you have the answers is the moment you need to stay humble.

Whether you're navigating burnout, considering rural or Indigenous eye care, or simply trying to reconnect with why you chose this profession — this one's for you.

What does it look like when your career becomes a platform for real change?

Dr. Shaina Nensi is the current president of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, owner of Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy, and the eyecare provider to Indigenous fly-in community in Northern Ontario.

In this episode:

• Losing the OAO board election the first time — and why she ran again
• What it's really like to run a clinic in a remote Indigenous community with handheld equipment and paper charts
• What leadership actually taught her about listening, patience, and real change
• Imposter syndrome at the presidential level, and how she moves through it

Shaina's guiding principle? Only take on what you're truly passionate about. When your work is a passion project, even the hard parts feel purposeful.

Whether you're a new grad figuring out your niche or a seasoned optometrist wondering if there's more — this one's for you.

Connect with Dr. Shaina Nensi:

• Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy: https://avenueoptometry.com/
• Ontario Association of Optometrists: https://optom.on.ca/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shainanensi/

In this episode of 20/Happy Careers, Dr. Fred Cho sits down with Dr. Fiona Soong to explore her career journey.

We chat about her early days working in Bermuda, the fascinating world of clinical research, becoming a KOL in myopia control, and looking beyond at her next career chapter.

Fiona shares lessons she's learned along the way, things she'd do differently, and the importance of pursuing curiosity both inside and outside the clinic.

In this episode of 20/Happy, hosts Dr. Fred Cho and Dr. Riyad Khamis reunite with their classmate Dr. Clement Nwadozi to explore how his multicultural upbringing shaped his approach to optometry and patient care.

Dr. Nzi shares his journey from West Africa through Cuba, Hong Kong, and Canada before settling in Lansing, Michigan. He discusses the value of optometry residencies and his transition to practice ownership.

The conversation dives into burnout prevention, the importance of taking calculated risks, and how autonomy and meaningful work contribute to career happiness.

Dr. Melissa Barnett is a world-renowned expert in scleral lenses and specialty contact lenses who has authored over 300 articles and delivered 500+ lectures world-wide. Today, her greatest satisfaction comes from something different: coaching and empowering other optometrists to reach their full potential.

In this episode, we explore:

• How scleral lenses change not just patients' lives, but entire families and communities
• Practical tips for getting started with scleral lens fitting
• Dr. Barnett's journey to professional credentialed coach
• The shift from personal achievement to making broader impact
• Work-life alignment (not balance!) and non-negotiables for career happiness

Whether you're interested in specialty lenses or wondering what the next chapter of your career could look like, this conversation will inspire you.

Dr. Melissa Barnett's Contact:

https://alpinebluecoaching.info/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissabarnett/

Dr. Diane van Staden joins Fred and Riyad to share her remarkable journey from clinical optometry to public health advocacy, academia, and career coaching. After practicing optometry in South Africa, Diane made a bold decision to leave clinical practice without a roadmap to address the public health crisis in eye care access.

In this conversation, Diane reveals how she navigated multiple career pivots—from implementing optometry services in underserved provinces to leading health professions education at the university level. She opens up about her decision to walk away from a clear path to becoming Dean of Health Sciences to reset her life around her values, and how a sabbatical in Canada changed everything.

Connect with Dr. Diane:
Instagram: @DrDianevanStaden
LinkedIn: Dr. Diane van Staden
Email: [email protected]
Podcast: Life Beyond Clinical Practice

After 10 years of practicing dentistry, Dr. Laura Brenner made a bold decision: she left clinical practice to become a certified professional coach, blogger, and speaker.

In this conversation, Laura shares her journey from burnout to fulfillment. She opens up about being a perfectionist and people pleaser, and how she now helps others design careers on their own terms.

We discuss:

• Why empaths in healthcare struggle with boundaries
• The power of creative side projects
• Practical advice for professionals feeling stuck
• How to give yourself permission to change

Laura's message is clear: change is possible when you stop waiting for permission and start taking action.

Laura's Website: https://www.lolabeescareercoaching.com/

In this episode, we explore the intersection of beauty trends and optometry with Dr. Janice Luk, discussing dry eye, lash culture, collaboration beyond traditional eye care, and how curiosity and passion can shape a more fulfilling, unconventional career. 

This episode is for optometrists and students who feel the pull to create something more—whether that’s speaking, writing, teaching, building, or simply designing a career that feels aligned.