I’m originally from Trail, BC, and moved away after high school to pursue my academic career. I lived in Calgary while obtaining my Bachelor of Science in both Biological Sciences and Psychology. While at the University of Calgary, I was a residence advisor, volunteered as a peer counsellor and worked with the first-year orientation program. Following undergrad, I moved to Forest Grove, Oregon, to attend the Pacific University College of Optometry.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pacific University and was highly involved in many clubs and organizations. I was our class president as well as the treasurer for the American Association of Student Optometrists. I was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa and received several academic acknowledgements:
- The Dean’s Award of Academic Excellence
- Pacific University’s 2008 Student of the Year
- Vision Monday’s 2010 Most Influential Woman in Optics
I enjoy being involved and remain active in the optometry community. I am currently on the board of directors for our practice management group, Eye Recommend.
While attending Pacific University, I interned at 2 clinics that greatly influenced my career: a traumatic brain injury clinic and a private practice that specialized in children’s vision and vision therapy. These internships helped develop my skills to make vision therapy an integral part of my practice. I also completed a number of education courses while at Pacific University to understand not only the visual component of learning but the academic component as well.
“I enjoy engaging kids and teaching them about their eyes. Vision is such an important component of learning and goes far beyond just eyesight. I love working with kids to improve their visual system and get excited watching their academic success knowing their lives will be better because of it.
Opening Aurora Eye Care in 2013 was one of the most challenging, exciting, and rewarding things I have ever done. I feel blessed to be a part of a community with such a great entrepreneurial spirit. When I’m not working, I’m often travelling with my husband and 2 young daughters, Calais and Kacela. If I’m not travelling, I’m either planning travel or blogging about it.
