Upcoming Events
Mile Brujic with Optometric Insights - Leadership in Optometry - January 12, 2017, 5:00-6:15pm
Dr. Brujic graduated from the New England College of Optometry in 2002. He practices full scope optometry with an emphasis on ocular disease management of the anterior segment, contact lenses and glaucoma. Dr. Brujic is on the editorial board for a number of optometric publications. He has published over 200 articles and has given over 1000 lectures, both nationally and internationally on contemporary topics in eye care. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry. He enjoys spending time with his wife Sonia, and daughters Zoe and Ava. "The thing that drives me more than anything is inspiring success. When I have done this, either in the office with my patients, the people I practice with, students I communicate with or anyone else I interact with, I feel complete. Life is created from all of the experiences, challenges and opportunities that present themselves to us." - Dr. Brujic
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Past Events
Rick Guinotte and Kirk Kastens with Acquios Advisors - "Opportunities and Options" - November 1, 2016, 5:00-6:15pm
Rick is co-founder and advisor for Acquios Advisors. Rick has worked in the optometric field since 1989. In 2009, Rick left his position with one of the world’s leading frame manufacturers to become a consultant. Since then, he has worked with offices seeking growth and improved efficiencies, and he’s helped people improve their team atmosphere, put systems in place to increase cash flow, and set goals for their practice locations. . Since 2010, Rick has worked with clients opening their first locations who have gone on to quickly exceed revenue expectations after opening. He’s helped clients relocate, add associates and develop exit strategies. Rick talked to our club about "Opportunities and Options" for different modes of practice after graduation. This was a very informative talk about keeping your options open for your first job and setting long term goals for your career. Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe was catered for dinner.
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Alumni Networking Event at Day Eye Care - October 27, 2016, 6:00-8:00pm
Drs. Howard and Sharon Day kindly offered to host our annual alumni event at their beautiful office, Day Eye Care in Gardendale. There were many local Optometrists who gave up their time to come spend the evening with our members discussing their private practice experiences. Doctors and students were able to discuss a variety of different topics including residencies and the past and future of Optometry. Jim 'N Nicks BBQ was catered for dinner. Thank you to all of the doctors who were willing to speak with us about our future careers and invest in the future of private practice optometry! |
Michael Friedberg, OD - "Effective Communication" - October 13, 2016, 5:00-6:15pm
Dr. Michael Friedberg, Director of Professional Relations at Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA), spoke to our club on the topic of "Effective Communication: How to communicate effectively with your patients." Dr. Friedberg did an excellent job talking about how to explain some common eye disorders to patients in ways they will understand. Dinner was catered from Moe's Southwest Grill.
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Costa Del Mar - "New Technology in Sunwear" - September 27, 2016, 5:30-7:30pm
The private practice club teamed up with Costa Del Mar for a dinner meeting for all 3rd and 4th year students. The representatives for Costa talked about some of their products and latest prescription sunwear technology. They also gave away lots of free stuff! We are thankful for their support of independent optometry. Dinner was catered from Saw's BBQ.
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Bryan Holman, OD - Kick-off lunch meeting - September 1, 2016, 12pm
Dr. Bryan Holman graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He graduated with honors in his respective degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before going on to complete his doctor of optometry degree at UAB School of Optometry. During optometry school, Dr. B was a member of Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity. As a part of this organization, he helped to provide much needed eye care to patients with little or no access to healthcare, both in the United States and the Dominican Republic. Dr. Holman works with patients of all ages and has a special interest in specialty contact lenses, myopia control, glaucoma, and dry eye disease. Dr. Holman spoke to our club on the topic of "Private Practice: What is it worth?" Chick-fil-a box lunches were served for lunch.
SOLutioN Conference - Denver, Colorado - June 2016
Our President-elect Jonathan Davis and Secretary Ashley van Lede attended the SOLutioN Conference in Denver, Colorado. The Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN) is an annual conference that brings in two officers from the Private Practice Clubs of each Optometry School. This meeting allowed us to network, share creative ideas, gain exposure to industry resources and speakers, and further the development of our individual leadership skills.
We were actively engaged in seminars and workshops to increase our understanding of various topics such as ‘Effective Leadership’ and ‘Humility and Kindness’ as well as having a thought provoking discussion with former AOA President, Dr. Mitch Munson, on facing the challenges of service and leadership in addressing the needs of the students. Team Building Exercises took place along with candid discussions on the Future of Eyecare.
Our intention with the Private Practice Club at UABSO has always been to complement our academic curriculum by exposing students to business principles that often fall outside the scope of our standard practice management education. Practice Management courses at our schools are considered student favorites with the only complaint being that they are too short. Members who regularly attend our club meetings are hungry to learn more about business and private practice, so this sharing of ideas between successful Private Practice Club leaders is important to maintain the high quality of speakers and topics that we deliver to our members.
We were actively engaged in seminars and workshops to increase our understanding of various topics such as ‘Effective Leadership’ and ‘Humility and Kindness’ as well as having a thought provoking discussion with former AOA President, Dr. Mitch Munson, on facing the challenges of service and leadership in addressing the needs of the students. Team Building Exercises took place along with candid discussions on the Future of Eyecare.
Our intention with the Private Practice Club at UABSO has always been to complement our academic curriculum by exposing students to business principles that often fall outside the scope of our standard practice management education. Practice Management courses at our schools are considered student favorites with the only complaint being that they are too short. Members who regularly attend our club meetings are hungry to learn more about business and private practice, so this sharing of ideas between successful Private Practice Club leaders is important to maintain the high quality of speakers and topics that we deliver to our members.
Mindy Nguyen, OD - The difference between a boss and a leader - April 2016
Dr. Mindy Nguyen is a residency-trained therapeutic optometrist and provides eye care to patients of all ages. Dr. Nguyen has had experience working in different modalities of optometric practices. In addition to direct patient care, she is also highly involved in optometric education. We had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Mindy Nguyen speak at our last meeting of the semester with Tazikis catered! She spoke on the topic of transitioning from student to THE doctor. Thank you for traveling all the way from Illinois to share your private practice journey!
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Dining with the Docs - February 2016
Mark Schaeffer, OD - Treating Dry Eye - February 2016
Dr. Mark Schaeffer graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. He trained as a resident at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL, where he was able to see and treat various eye diseases and work closely with ophthalmologists. He also worked as an extern at the Neurodevelopmental Sensory Enhancement Center providing primary eye exams specializing in diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injury and binocular vision disorders. Dr. Schaeffer spoke to the private practice club all about dry eye and it's diagnosis and management with Restasis. Jimmy John's was catered.
Kristin O'Brien, OD - Creating Your Success Story - December 2015
Dr. Kristin O'Brien completed her Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree at the Michigan College of Optometry (MCO). Dr. O’Brien has additional training in the areas of low vision, pediatrics, specialty contact lenses and working with patients who have a mental or physical handicap. While in school Dr. O’Brien founded the Michigan Optometric Student Private Practice Association (MOSPPA) and was influential in beginning the Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLutioN) of which she currently serves on the Executive Committee. She also spends time on the lecture circuit, speaking about private practice and the business aspects of the profession with Optometric Insights to inspire success in future generations of optometrists. Thank you to Dr. O'Brien for coming to speak with our club!
Jim Price, TLC Laser Eye Centers - LASIK Co-Management - November 2015
Jim Price is the district sales manager for TLC Laser Eye Centers out of Atlanta. Jim has many years of experience in the optometric and pharmaceutical fields. He is also the President and CEO of TAP Consulting Company. TAP Consulting Company has been helping pharmaceutical, medical and biotech sales professionals sell more effectively to doctors for over a decade. They focus on three specific areas; 1) Understanding doctor's preferences based on the latest physician research 2) Helping them to see your product or service as a solution to a clinical problem and 3) Presenting clinical studies according to the SOAP format. Thank you to Jim Price for speaking to our club about LASIK correction and co-management.
Private Practice Club Alumni Event - October 2015
This year's Private Practice Club Alumni Event was a chili dinner. We set up a roundtable speed-dating format with 12 UABSO alumni ODs in order to ask questions and network. Each table also had craft beer tastings. Club members were able to network with local doctors and ask any questions about each doctor's different route through Optometry. Thank you to Dr. Doug Clark for hosting this year's event at his home and for all of the doctors who took time out of their schedule to make this event happen.
Calah Ray, OD - Finding Your Niche in Private Practice - September 2015
Dr. Calah Ray received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry in 2011. She completed residency training in Pediatric Optometry in 2012. During this time, she provided routine eye care for pediatric and adult patients, vision therapy services, and eye care for special needs children and adults. Dr. Ray was the 2011 recipient of the Alabama Optometric Association Leadership Award and was named the 2011 Department of Optometry Outstanding Student. Thank you to Dr. Ray for speaking to our club about finding a specialty niche in the field of Optometry and integrating that into a practice.