Kara Ramsey Foster, OD, opened EyeCare for You in Apex, North Carolina, in 2015. A few years later, she was stressed by the feeling like she was working for managed vision companies rather than herself. So she changed to a direct care, fee for service model. Hear her explain how she did it and how she's sharing the idea with other doctors through her directcaredifference.com website and program. 

For the first time in SECO's 100-year history this year, an outgoing female president will hand the gavel to an incoming female president. SECO President Christine Cook, OD, FAAO, and President-elect Michelle Cooper, OD, talk about the changing demographics of the profession, the need for representative leadership and how SECO is revitalizing its live education meeting after the pandemic. SECO will be held March 1-5 in Atlanta. Learn more here. 

Christine Howard, a licensed dispensing optician and optical manager at Eyes on Plainville, in Plainville, Massachusetts, details how this practice has created a superior handoff process. From practice goals on optical metrics, learning from EssilorLuxottica representatives and leaning into brand recommendations in the exam room, Howard shares tips for making the transition from exam lane to the optical smooth and efficient. 

Vision Source members Cheryl Chapman, OD, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Cristina De La Pena, OD, of Houston, Texas, are headed for the annual Vision Source meeting, The Exchange, in April. Dr. Chapman has been going for years, while Dr. De La Pena went for the first time in 2022, shortly after joining Vision Source. Both go to learn and exchange ideas - and here they share tips on how they make the most of the meeting, whether it's an attendee's first time or 30th. 

Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, is dean of The Ohio State University College of Optometry. In this WO Voices podcast, she talks about the career choices she's made, balancing marriage, motherhood and an impressive legacy of research, writing and inspiring students -- as well as her love for quilting, her creative outlet. Hear her describe her influences and the moments where doors opened and her path forward became suddenly crystal clear. 

Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, FNAP,  Senior Vice President, Customer Development Group at EssilorLuxottica North America, shares her passion for lifelong learning and how EssilorLuxottica is powering ECP education through its Leonardo platform.  Dr. Knight explains what's on the platform, how it can be used to fit the needs to doctors and staff members where they are, and how she would have loved to have access to this kind of a platform when she was in private practice. 

Acquiring a turnkey independent practice has allowed Whitney Territo, OD, and her husband and co-owner John Manard, OD, to focus on growth and enhancing their business skills. Being part of the Vision Source network and using Vision Source NEXT has supported them at every step, she says. Hear her discussion her evolving goals from acquisition, transition and beyond. 

Today, Jill Saxon, OD, FAAO, is executive director, professional strategy at Bausch + Lomb. But she started her career in the U.S. Navy, leaving after eight years as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserves.  WO asked Dr. Saxon to reflect on the enduring lessons and experiences she gained from being an OD in the military. 
This episode was broadcast around Veteran's Day 2022; WO thanks all ODs who served and serve as a member of the Armed Forces for their service. 

In this podcast, Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, and Pam Lowe, OD, FAAO, note that the oldest millennials have now turned 40. That presents eye care professionals with a huge opportunity with all of these new emerging presbyopes. The doctors talk about the conversation they have with patients and the innovations in options for these patients. 

Alexis Meyer, entering her third year at University of California Berkeley School of Optometry, won the Optometry Divas scholarship in the summer of 2022. The scholarship -- open to women OD students -- requires that applicants develop a detailed plan. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Alexis wants to start her career in corporate optometry - and learned much more about it through this process. That was precisely Dr. Lauretta Justin's idea in creating this CEO of You scholarship. 2023 candidates can apply now at optometrydivas.com.