I grew up on a small hobby farm in upstate New York, near the Adirondacks. I completed my undergraduate studies at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS). During my time at ACPHS, my coursework focused on basic sciences along with an emphasis on human pathophysiology, anatomy, along with biomedical and laboratory sciences. I went on to complete my doctorate at the New England College of Optometry, in Boston, MA. My clinical training included Honors at the Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (Philadelphia, PA), the Newport Naval Base (Newport, RI), along with private practices and Community Health Centers in the Boston area. Eager to learn more, I decided to pursue a residency in Primary Eye Care and Ocular Disease here in Vermont, at the White River Junction VA Medical Center.
Cumulatively, these experiences have allowed me to have the privilege of managing a diverse range of ocular conditions and in diverse populations.
During my time off from work, I like to spend it hiking, skiing, traveling – and most of all, with my family. Presently, I work as an associate Optometrist here in Middlebury, Vermont. However, when not in-clinic, I enjoy working in academia. Currently, I work in teaching advanced optometric procedures to optometry students in their practical labs. These include laser and minor surgical procedures.
While an extremely rewarding experience in the academic setting, it is frustrating that here in Vermont, I cannot practice the procedures which I teach due to scope limitations and political barriers. I am convinced that these barriers are not in the interest of the patient, but rather adversely affect their access to quality eye care by delaying treatment along with adding a travel and financial burden. Furthermore, Vermont can be at the forefront in drawing highly trained Optometrists – by allowing for broader scope, and thereby allowing our next generation of eye doctors to practice at the highest level of their training – if only we can put politics aside.