NOSA Member Spotlight
Why did you join NOSA?
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I originally joined NOSA because my friend, Abbie Norris, had told me about it and said that she absolutely loved being a part of the group. She was explaining to me what NOSA was about, and I fell in love: serving the underrepresented and minority populations through our optometric practices as well as helping minority groups realize that optometry is a career option for them. I want underrepresented and minority populations to know that they CAN be a Doctor of Optometry no matter what race, religion, or gender they may be. I also love that NOSA is so connected to the community and that we are also so focused on giving back to the community.
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How do you help those in need?
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I love helping those in need by volunteering my time at the Greater Chicago Food Depository as well as helping out the Low Vision population. I absolutely love low vision/vision rehab and I would really like to start a walking group with the Chicago Lighthouse and students from ICO one day!
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What is one thing you wish you had known prior to optometry school?
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TO TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS AND HOW IMPORTANT MAINTAINING A STABLE MENTAL HEALTH IS!!!!!!!! First year, everyone was always harping on how we needed to study at least 8+ hours every day and even more on the weekends in order to do well in school. I was absolutely terrified and thought that the only way I would be able to do well in school was if I constantly studied. Every time that I took a break for more than 5 minutes, I thought it was a death sentence to my grades meaning that I would have to repeat a class or the entire year. However, thanks to my wonderful friend, Abbie, my boyfriend, Max, and after many many panic attacks, I finally came to the conclusion that I needed help and needed to start learning how to manage my stress. I realized that getting good grades shouldn’t be what my life revolves around: my health should be.
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Interesting Fact about yourself?
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I have already been to three continents (Australia, North America, and Europe). One of the items on my bucket list is to try and get to all 7 continents (yes, including Antarctica) before I die! I absolutely love traveling and can’t wait to do it some more after school!
