· In this lively episode of "Your Life Over50," host Jean interviews the inspiring Dr. Martha Burnett-Collins, anoptometrist with 40 years of experience. Dr. Martha, who recently celebratedher 40-year reunion at UC Berkeley, shares her journey and the importance ofvision care. She reflects on her career, emphasizing her dedication torecruiting young African-Americans into optometry, a field whereAfrican-American representation has significantly declined.
· Dr. Martha, a retired Lieutenant Colonel fromthe United States Air Force Reserves, recounts her military service, includingmeeting her husband during Operation Desert Storm. Both now enjoy a fulfillingretirement while remaining active in their community, particularly throughtheir church, St. Paul Church of Sacramento.
· Throughout the conversation, Dr. Marthadiscusses the challenges she faced as one of the few African-American studentsin her optometry program and the ongoing difficulties in increasing diversityin the field. She highlights her efforts to mentor and financially supportaspiring optometrists, particularly targeting students at HBCUs and localuniversities.
· The episode is rich with personal anecdotes,professional insights, and a bit of business acumen as Dr. Martha explains thefinancial benefits of a career in optometry. Her enthusiasm for her work isevident as she shares her approach to patient care and the satisfaction shefinds in helping people improve their vision.
· In a heartfelt and humorous moment, Dr. Marthaadvises Jean on preparing for a DMV vision test, underscoring her practical andcaring nature. The interview wraps up with Dr. Martha's thoughts on the futureof optometry and her hopes for the next generation of practitioners.
· Overall, this episode is a delightful blend ofprofessional wisdom, personal stories, and motivational advice, making it amust-listen for anyone interested in a fulfilling career over 50 or thosesimply looking for some inspiring life lessons.