TheTravelingOD Media

07/11/2020

Trying to be good and not go to the beach during COVID, but I gotta get my summer tan somehow.

This is okay as long as I’m wearing lenses that protect my eyes from UV, right?

04/02/2020

Research conducted by the United Optometrists Association shows female ODs are proactive negotiators, but we struggle to overcome the initial lower salary offer. To make ourselves even better, Drs. Rachel Simpson and Kate Hamm looked for the best of the best at negotiation. Dr. Will To of TheTravelingOD Consulting has taught students around the country great negotiation techniques. Listen to the latest Lunch Date with Rachel and Kate for lots of laughs and LOTS of great negotiation tips!

https://defocusmedia.com/lunch-date-with-rachel-and-kate-episode-39-negotiation/

04/02/2020

Learn tactics and real-time solutions for reducing hours, limiting staff and moving aspects of your business online in the replay of the first in our Managing Through COVID-10 webinar series. Link —> Bio … or … www.invisionmag.com/webinars

02/11/2020

If you want to know how to best integrate all aspects of digital media into the field of optometry, you need to look no further than Defocus Media led by the dynamic duo, Dr. Jennifer Lyerly and Dr. Darryl Glover!

In their latest episode, Dr. Glover hosted Dr. Will To of TheTravelingOD Media and discussed his journey to practice ownership.

Check it out here:
https://defocusmedia.com/optometry-podcast-dr-will-to-shares-his-journey-on-opening-a-private-practice/

Chances are that if you’ve been at a conference or an optometry event in the last few years, you’ve had a chance to meet and learn from Dr. Will To. The optometrist behind the aptly named TheTravelingOD Media has made it his mission in his early career to give back to the profession through speaking and mentoring, wracking up over 100,000 airline miles along the way. A 2016 graduate of Western University College of Optometry, Dr. To sits down with Dr. Darryl Glover to share the real and not-so-picture-perfect reality about his path to private practice ownership. There were times along the way that he readily admits that he thought about giving up – that it would just be easier to work for someone else and collect a paycheck. As the owner of Optical Illusions of San Mateo, Dr. To shares the challenges and lessons he learned to make his dreams of owning a practice a reality on this new podcast.

https://defocusmedia.com/optometry-podcast-dr-will-to-shares-his-journey-on-opening-a-private-practice/

02/06/2020

Life is beautiful not because of the things we see or do. Life is beautiful because of the people we meet.

@ Orlando, Florida

08/11/2019

Work is expending effort on things we don’t want to do. Passion is expending energy on things we love to do. The goal is to do no work.

Meet Tyler Horton from Marshall B. Ketchum University!
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Hi everyone! My name is Tyler Horton, and I am beginning my second year at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University.

My attraction to this amazing profession started back at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I knew I wanted to be in healthcare, however, it wasn’t until I met my first optometrist that I found clarity to how I fit into the healthcare world. Observing the close patient-doctor relationships they were able to build, I knew I had found a career capable of handling my “talk-your-ear-off” personality! 😂

I decided to found the pre-Optometry club at my school and gained greater insight into the profound impact ODs have on visual health and overall quality of life of their patients. Sprinkling in an interest in fashion coupled with a desire to be a business owner, it was a no-brainer that I found myself applying to optometry school.

At SCCO, I have had the privilege growing as a leader. I had the honor of serving as a Vice President for my class and participated in multiple SVOSH trips to underserved communities in Mexico 🇲🇽 👁. Having a strong appetite for politics, I also became involved with the American Optometric Association, and I will be serving as AOA-PAC Liaison, acting as a bridge between students and the AOA, and advocating for our profession as a leading authority in primary eye and vision care 🏛 📜

When I am not in lecture, lab, or the library, you will most likely find me outside soaking up those sunny California rays. I use the weekends as my mental escape, going off in search of good waves 🏄 or trying to find the nearest fresh powder during winter 🏂

In regards to my future, nothing is currently set in stone (And I LOVE it that way!). What I can guarantee is that there are big things planned, and I cannot wait to share my new adventures with everyone. Follow me on Instagram and don’t hesitate to reach out at any time!

Good luck to all the OD students out there 💪🏽

08/04/2019

The best way to find yourself is to travel the world and lose yourself in the service of others.

Meet Vickie Bui from Marshall B. Ketchum University!
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Hello readers! My name is Vickie Bui, and I am a soon-to-be 2nd year from Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University.

Optometry first piqued my interest when I found out how much I could help improve patient health non-invasively. I grew to love optometry as I shadowed optometrists and learned that optometry was much more than just glasses and contacts. Not only that, my mom is an optician so the idea of forming a mother-daughter team sounds pretty cool! Because there are so many modalities and specialties in optometry that I am excited to learn more about, I am keeping an open mind for what my future in optometry may hold.

I am currently on my second term as one of the historians for the Class of 2022 and one of my responsibilities is to keep our class Instagram page up-to-date. If you’re ever curious it’s . Additionally, I am also a part of MBKU’s Extracurricular Committee where I help plan events to bring students of all professions (Optometry, PA, and Pharmacy) together.

At SCCO, we have the first summer off and I spent it with 15 other classmates on a 2-week medical mission trip to Vietnam! It was a fun, rewarding experience. We were able to practice our retinoscopy, refraction, and direct ophthalmoscopy skills while providing eye care to underserved areas of rural Vietnam.

Thanks for taking the time to read about me! To wrap things up, I’d like to share 3 random facts about me:
1. I like to binge on Netflix while crocheting/knitting when I’m not studying. 📺 🧶
2. I like escape rooms so much I even work at one! 🔐
3. I used to have really long hair, but I just cut off about 14 inches of my hair to donate last June! 💇🏻‍♀️

07/22/2019

Most of us live our lives by accident—we live as it happens. Fulfillment comes when we live our lives with purpose.

Meet Alex Bennett From Western University of Health Sciences!
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Hello everyone! My name is Alex Bennett, and I am beginning my third year at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry.

The path that lead me to Optometry has been untraditional. I started as a Forester with the County Parks Department of Boulder, Colorado, and I was waiting to be transitioned from part-time to full-time, so in the meantime I started working as an optician. When the spring came and budget cuts yielded no county job, I kept advancing my career in optical which ultimately led me to develop a passion for eye care and working with patients. The optometrist was very nurturing and their mentorship subsequently led to me applying to optometry school.

My longtime passion for politics lead me to become involved with the American Optometric Student Association. I currently serve as the elected Trustee, representing the students of WUCO and as a voice for Optometry. I have enjoyed advocating for the profession in Washington D.C. and at the California capitol for the last two years. It is truly a rewarding experience working alongside some amazing OD's and meeting state/federal representatives, so I encourage everyone to plan on attending in 2020, which will be an important year for Optometry (for obvious reasons) .

When I'm not studying, working in clinic or doing work for the AOSA, I like to enjoy my time in Southern California. The year-round sunshine affords me the opportunity to be outside a lot, and I take full advantage. In my free time I am an avid trail runner and love to ride my motorcycle. I look forward to serving the residents of Denver, Colorado after I graduate (although there might be one more year in residency, still undecided!), and going on many more adventures, which you can follow on my instagram . Good luck to all the students out there - Aroo!

07/14/2019

Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from chasing your own greatness, but it all starts with a clear vision of the future.

Meet Landon Kudrna from Pacific University!
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Hello everyone! My name is Landon, and I am currently a 3rd year optometry student at Pacific University College of Optometry!

My journey in optometry started at an early age. Being the son of an optometrist, I was always helping around the office in some sort of way; whether it was landscaping, folding envelopes, or changing the filters in the office. In high school I took my role to the next level by working as an optometric technician, and in college, I worked at the North Dakota School for the Blind. My eyes were opened to how impactful our vision really is and solidified my passion for optometry. The connections I made with our patients were incredibly deep, and I knew that I wanted to have that type of strong patient/doctor relationship in my career.

Now, I am loving every second at PUCO! I am currently the president of the Pacific Practice Management Group. This has been one of the best experiences for me, as I have met and networked with so many amazing individuals. My goal as president is to provide the same opportunities for my classmates and help them pursue their passions and ideas through networking. In addition, I am a teaching assistant for both Clinical Procedures and Systemic Diseases and Medications. I love having the opportunity to assist with my colleagues’ education and helping them through the highs and lows of optometry school.

While balancing studies, clinic, and more studying, I enjoy spending time outdoors. The Pacific Northwest is astonishing and I try to take advantage of the beauty when I can.

I plan on moving back to the Midwest to begin my career as an optometrist in a private practice setting. I hope to specialize in Low Vision and Ocular Disease, as my time spent at the School for the Blind has left an everlasting effect on me.