SOCIAL

  O.D. SCENE

THE ENTERTAINING SIDE OF OPTOMETRY

Q&A

I wish I could write the opening to this month’s O.D. Scene, but my pride would probably overwhelm you, as having my children join our great profession (and two join me in practice — so far) is the greatest blessing of my life. So, here, my faithful friend and OM’s Chief Optometric Editor, Scot Morris, provides the opening:

There is a huge diversity of individuals in our profession. They include clinicians, educators and researchers, and some are key opinion leaders, political activists, social figures and power couples. Our profession also has a few power families and, arguably, none are more prominent than the Schaeffer family.

Most optometrists are familiar with Jack Schaeffer, the patriarch, but are you aware of the future of the Schaeffer franchise? They are Brooke, Mark and David. I have been fortunate enough to get to know all of them through the years, and I could not be more impressed with the “NextGen” Schaeffers.

Read on to find out a little more about this power family.

Jack Schaeffer, O.D., F.A.A.O.,
Editor-in-Chief
O.D. Scene

THE SCHAEFFERS WEIGH IN...

BROOKE SCHAEFFER-KAPLAN, O.D.,
Birmingham, Ala.,
DAVID SCHAEFFER,
optometry student,
& MARK E. SCHAEFFER, O.D.,
Birmingham, Ala.

Q: WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN OPTOMETRIST?

BS: I was working in medical research in Charleston, S.C., and I was not happy with where my professional career was heading. I decided to apply to physician’s assistant school at the Medical University of South Carolina and was accepted. A few weeks before the deposit deadline my husband, Justin, pointed out that I had always wanted to be an eye doctor, so why not go to optometry school? And the rest is history.

DS: I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. And, of course, I was already predisposed to seeing the medical side of eyes. I think optometry clicked for me at age 8 or 9 when I helped my dad take photos on his slit lamp.

MS: It was around February 2007. I had difficulty finding a career I was passionate about studying while in college — I had seven different majors and graduated with a business degree in marketing. I started working for Schaeffer Eye Center on the administration and distribution side and quickly fell in love with being around patients every day and the ability to affect lives, create relationships and maintain a collective curiosity.

1: The Schaeffers in Hawaii. 2: Dr. Schaeffer-Kaplan’s children riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Disney World with their grandfather. 3: Mark Schaeffer with Katy Perry at the 2009 Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil.

Q: WHICH OPTOMETRY SCHOOL DID YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

BS: UAB. I was a non-traditional student — married with a one-year-old daughter. Justin and I decided if I was accepted to the school of optometry, that was where I would go, so we could be settled in the city where we planned to raise our children instead of uprooting four years later.

DS: I enjoyed all the schools I toured, but loved the clinics at ICO and SCO most. I really liked the idea of living in a big city, and Chicago was definitely something I’ve never really experienced before. I figured it was a good chance to live somewhere I’d probably never get the chance to live again while still getting an excellent education.

MS: I chose SCO. I fell in love with the clinical focus that starts on day one. The facilities were modern (even before the new classrooms and labs, which I am incredibly jealous of now), the students spoke about the community internally, and the faculty embraced the family feel of the campus.

Q: WHAT DID YOU FOCUS ON THE MOST, IN TERMS OF EDUCATION AND OR SPECIAL INTERESTS AT OPTOMETRY SCHOOL?

BS: I was in school to learn to become the best O.D. I could and can be, so I immersed myself in the phenomenal education offered at UAB.

DS: I haven’t really had the chance to focus on anything specific, as I’m still completing my time as a student. For now, my job is just to learn as much as I can while I have access to so many resources.

MS: Being engaged. Whether it was clinical labs, lectures, guest speakers or other involvement, it was impressed upon me that being well rounded was important. I got heavily involved in student organizations on campus and within the AOA national structure. It made me a better student and future doctor to understand the broader picture outside of class and labs.

Q: WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP WITH A FATHER — ME — WHO IS AN OPTOMETRIST?

BS: Exactly like you would think: exciting and challenging. You showed a passion for your profession that was infectious. Case in point, all three of your children are involved in optometry. You demand the best of those around you, including your children.

DS: Not only were you an optometrist who held patient care above everything else, you were also an entrepreneur with ambition and drive. I looked up a lot to you growing up, as I do now.

MS: It was impressive and intimidating, as I continue to live in a world where you are still so involved. You are someone who has been so successful in this industry locally and globally, that we cannot escape it no matter how hard we try to maintain anonymity. But, it has certainly opened the door for numerous opportunities to grow professionally.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE I EVER GAVE YOU ABOUT PRACTICING OPTOMETRY?

BS: Don’t be afraid to bring a patient back for a follow up.

DS: Patient care comes first. Run the tests you need to run to get the answers you need to treat the patient. And when you can’t treat, make sure you send him or her to someone who can.

MS: If you’re thinking about doing something in terms of clinical care, don’t hesitate. You have to do what is right for the patient no matter the circumstances.

Q: WHAT INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS DID YOU HAVE ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?

BS: You demand the best from those around you. I was worried it would put a strain on our family’s personal relationship.

DS: I can’t comment because I’m still in school.

MS: In our first year of optometry school, a professor gave the caveat to not work with family, as doing so tends to drive everyone away from each other. Hearing all the negative reviews, it was a little concerning.

1: Sam, Edith and Maddie

Q: WERE YOU EVER WORRIED THAT OTHER OPTOMETRISTS AND OR PATIENTS WOULD MENTION NEPOTISM?

BS: I think it happens less with me because my last name is now Kaplan, but I don’t let it bother me. I just try my best to prove that I earned my spot in this profession. It was not given to me.

DS: I am working hard to be the best I can, and I usually try to let people get to know me first. After that, I tend not to worry too much about it. Being my father’s son will open doors for me in the future, but I have to prove that I’m capable of amounting to any expectation.

MS: I knew that my family ties would certainly create opportunities, but I had to work hard to make people see that I am capable of capitalizing on those chances. Once I started developing my own voice and presence in this community, people saw me as my own person instead of just another next generation optometrist.

Q: WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR RELATIONSHIP PROFESSIONAL WHEN IN THE OFFICE?

BS: We refer to each other as “Dr.” rather than “Brooke, “Mark” or “Dad.”

MS: We hold each other in high regard. Any issues or situations that may arise, we handle as professionals (in public).

Q: WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?

BS: I honestly do not let myself be surprised by anything. You never know what the day will bring, and it keeps me on my toes.

MS: How much we challenge each other to be better and that we can continue to motivate each other to reach new levels of care for our patients.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS TODAY IN PRACTICE?

BS: Contact lenses. The majority of my patient base is contact lens wearers. I strive to know the latest technology in contact lens wear to provide the best outcomes for my patients.

DS: From my limited clinical experience, I’m very interested in ocular disease and specialty contact lenses.

MS: Ocular disease, dry eye and advancing technologies.

Q: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT EACH OTHER SINCE JOINING THE O.D. WORLD?

BS: That we are all very passionate practitioners who, at the end of the day, just want to help better our patients’ lives through better sight.

MS: I’ve learned that we each have very different personalities when it comes to the family business. My sister is dedicated, true to herself and will stand up for what she knows is right. My brother is intelligent beyond measure, logical and more compassionate than I ever knew. I’ve also learned more about myself than I could have imagined.

Q: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE OF OPTOMETRY?

BS: The sky is the limit. I see our scope of practice expanding if we continue to support our state and national organizations and PAC.

DS: From what I’ve learned in school, it seems like optometrists will be able to continue to increase their scope of management. It’s very promising and exciting to come into such a growing profession.

MS: An evolution into a better care system beyond a transactional model. Our profession needs to be part of an environment that enhances care; one that emphasizes relationships and understanding.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A PERSON TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO PURSUE OPTOMETRY?

BS: It’s an amazing profession that is constantly changing. If you have a love of learning and a desire to help, this is the right place for you.

DS: As a student, it’s been incredibly rewarding. Every patient is a little bit different, and every day brings something new. The material to learn is vast and difficult and, sometimes, there’s more than one right answer, but the challenge is what makes it enjoyable. I’m very happy with the decision I’ve made to become an optometrist.

MS: This is a truly tremendous profession. We have the opportunity to affect each person and how they live their lives. Our ability to practice at the highest level continues to evolve, and it has never been a better time to be an optometrist. Join us!

1: Mark Schaeffer with fiancé, Sarah. 2: David practices an eye exam on Mark in this “edited” photo.

Q: WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY (OR WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP SITUATION) AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?

BS: My husband, Justin, and I have been happily married for 11 years. He is an amazing husband and father. Without his support (personal and professional, he happens to be CFO of Schaeffer Eye Center) I could not do what I do. We have three wonderful children, Edith (9), Maddie (5) and Sam (3). They keep us entertained for sure! For fun, we usually watch the kids on the ball field or doing gymnastics.

DS: I am currently dating my loving girlfriend, Lyndsey, who lives back in Birmingham. We actually met at a dinner party hosted by her boss and my dad. It was very serendipitous, and I’ve never been happier. For fun, I really enjoy squash. I got into it while in college, but have had a hard time keeping up with it, as there are so few courts on which to play.

MS: I live with my amazing fiancé, Sarah, whom I’ve been with for more than two years. For fun, I love to travel, laugh, cook, watch sports — especially college football — be outdoors, do karaoke — if the mood strikes — and I enjoy a great meal.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE, BOOK, BAND AND ADULT BEVERAGE?

BS: Movie: “The Thomas Crown Affair;” Book: “The Great Gatsby,” Band: Too many to name; Adult beverage: Crown Royal and ginger ale.

DS: Movie: “Varsity Blues;” Book: “Game of Thrones: Song of Ice and Fire” series; Band: Currently either Chet Faker or Tourist; Adult beverage: scotch.

MS: Movie: “Coming to America;” Book: “Borish’s Clinical Refraction,” Band: Currently, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Cold War Kids, Band of Horses, the Lumineers, etc.; Adult beverage: Tito’s vodka and soda with an orange. OM