Ryan Reflects with Dr. Ryan Corte

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Fallon Patel, an optometrist with a thriving multi-location practice in Canada. Dr. Patel shares her journey from being an immigrant child to becoming a successful optometrist, discussing her educational background, early career challenges, and the transition from Sears Optical to Lenscrafters. She emphasizes the importance of leadership, team development, and innovative practices in myopia management....

In a conversation with Ankit Patel on the Optometrists Building Empires podcast, Dr. Ryan Corte shares his journey in optometry, emphasizing the importance of patience, flexibility, and resilience in building a successful practice. He discusses the challenges of managing staff, the significance of recruitment, and the impact of technological advancements in the field. Dr. Corte reflects on formative experiences that shaped his care...

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Kriti Bhagat, who shares her journey into optometry, the cultural expectations she faced, and her passion for specialty contact lenses. Dr. Bhagat discusses her experiences in residency, the transition from academia to clinical practice, and the challenges of opening her own private practice. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, navigating work-life balance, and the rewarding a...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Will To, he shares his experiences navigating chaos in his optometry practice, including a robbery and subsequent challenges like a fire and flooding. He emphasizes the importance of mental health support for his staff and the role of tele-optometry in providing care to underserved communities. Dr. To reflects on defining moments in his practice that highlight the importance of patient care ove...

Dr. Will To shares his journey in optometry, from his early days as an optician to becoming a successful practice owner. He emphasizes the importance of experience in various roles within the field, the impact of AI on optometry, and the significance of networking and mentorship. Dr. To also discusses his unique approach to practice ownership, focusing on creating a concierge experience for patients and the importance of team dynam...

Dr. Erik Mothersbaugh shares his journey in optometry, from his early interest in the field to his current role as Dean of Student Affairs at the Illinois College of Optometry. He discusses the unique opportunities at ICO, the transition from student to resident, and the responsibilities of being in academia. Erik reflects on the challenges facing the optometry profession, including the applicant pool and the role of the NBEO, whil...

Dr. Ryan Corte, Dr. Nadia Afkhami, Dr. Jasdeep Soni, Dr. Doug Akidi, and the newly minted Dr. Svetlana Nunez discuss the challenges and experiences of transitioning from students to practicing doctors. They share insights on navigating the unknowns of early career stages, understanding contracts and compensation, managing financial stress from student loans, and the importance of community support. The discussion also touches on th...

Dr. Ryan Corte talks with Dr. Katie Chu who shares her inspiring journey from being the first generation born in the U.S. in her immigrant family to becoming a dedicated optometrist serving her community. She discusses the pivotal moments in her life, including her decision to pursue optometry, the influence of her family, and her spiritual awakening that transformed her approach to patient care. Dr. Chu also talks about her plans ...

Dr. Ryan Corte speaks with Dr. Nicolas Vu and Dr. Elizabeth Davis about their incredible journey traveling the world for a year after completing their optometry education. They share their experiences teaching at an optometry school in Vietnam, the challenges and rewards of their travels, and the personal growth they experienced along the way. The conversation emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's passions, the value of inter...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Alma Regnault, who shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Venezuela to becoming a successful optometrist and business owner. She discusses the influence of strong women in her life, her experiences in optometry school, and the challenges she faced along the way.

Dr. Regnault emphasizes the importance of human connection in patient care and the need for optometrists to advocate for their role ...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Benjamin Lickteig, who shares his journey in optometry, from his early experiences in Iowa to his current multi-location practice in Massachusetts. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the field, including navigating scope of practice, the importance of networking and mentorship, and innovative practices like myopia management and a four-day work week. Dr. Lickteig emphasizes the need for o...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Pam Theriot, an optometrist and dry eye specialist, who shares her journey through a dynamic career shaped by frequent relocations due to her husband's military service. Dr. Theriot discusses her passion for dry eye treatment, the evolution of ocular surface disease management, and her recent TEDx talk focused on digital eye strain. She emphasizes the importance of proactive eye care and introduces a t...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Ben Thayil, who shares his journey in optometry, the importance of residency, and the significance of leadership and culture in private practice. Dr. Thayil emphasizes the need for personal growth, patient-centric care, and creating a positive work environment for staff. He discusses the role of mentorship and the importance of defining success beyond financial metrics, focusing instead on significance...

Dr. Ryan Corte shares his personal journey into optometry, detailing the influences that shaped his aspirations, the challenges he faced during high school and college, and the pivotal moments that led him to choose optometry as a career. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, mentorship, and self-reflection in navigating the path to becoming an optometrist. If you're a pre-optometry student, this is a must watch!

Chapters

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Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Chris Lopez about the 2025 ODs on Finance report, discussing key findings related to optometry salaries, student loan debt, and the importance of financial education. They explore regional salary disparities, work-life balance, and the impact of gender on income. The conversation emphasizes the need for better financial literacy among optometrists and the potential benefits of practice ownership.

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Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Harbir Sian, a multifaceted optometrist who navigates practice ownership, podcasting, and consulting. They discuss Harbir's journey, his role as an ambassador for the optometry profession, and the importance of balancing multiple responsibilities. Harbir shares valuable lessons learned from his experiences, the significance of being uncomfortable, and the exciting future of optometry, including scope e...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Maria Sampalis, a prominent figure in optometry, who shares her journey from a corporate optometry sublease to owning multiple practices. They discuss the evolution of corporate optometry, the importance of community among optometrists, and the future trends in the field. Dr. Sampalis emphasizes the significance of having a voice in the profession and offers valuable advice for new optometrists navigat...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Gabriela Olivares, who shares her journey into the field of optometry, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance, fitness, and mentorship. Gabby discusses her experiences in a collaborative practice, her advocacy efforts for the profession, and her role as a consultant for Johnson & Johnson. She inspires future optometrists to continue learning and to be confident in their practice while also...

Dr. Ryan Corte interviews Dr. Aaron Neufeld, an accomplished optometrist and entrepreneur, discussing his journey from optometry school to practice ownership and the founding of ODs on Finance. They explore the importance of business education in optometry, the challenges of early career choices, and the significance of work-life balance. Dr. Neufeld shares insights on expanding into specialty care, the role of partnerships in grow...