SOCIAL

  O.D. SCENE

THE ENTERTAINING SIDE OF OPTOMETRY

Q&A

“Forbes” releases an annual list of “The World’s Most Powerful Couples.” After going through the tally of 16 duos, which includes Marissa Mayer and Zachary Bogue, Patrizio Bertelli and Miuccia Prada and Beyoncé and Jay-Z, it became crystal clear to me that most share professions. Analytically, this makes perfect sense. After all, two is certainly better than one when it comes to navigating the ins and outs of a specific profession, which, no doubt, affords these couples success. So, it should come as no surprise then that some of optometry’s most prominent figures have a significant other in the profession.

Here, in part 2 of our series on optometry’s power couples, we hear from Greg Caldwell and Dana Gjurich-Caldwell and Joseph Sowka and Lori Vollmer. Greg is a speaker, member of the board of the AOA and practice partner with Dana, who specializes in contact lens fittings and low vision evaluations. Meanwhile, Joe and Lori are full-time professors at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry and also are regulars on the lecture circuit, educating both students and clinicians. Enjoy!

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

KEY OPTOMETRIC COUPLES WEIGHS IN...

GREG CALDWELL, O.D., F.A.A.O., & DANA GJURICH-CALDWELL, O.D., Duncansville, Pa.

JOSEPH SOWKA, O.D., F.A.A.O., & LORI VOLLMER, O.D., F.A.A.O Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Q: CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICES?

DC: We have a rather well vertically integrated optometry practice that works closely with the medical community, sub-specialties and a hospital.

GC: Dana and I practice in a four-person optometry practice in western-central Pennsylvania. I treat primarily ocular disease, and Dana provides primary care, specialty contact lenses and low vision.

JS: I am a department chair as well as chief of the Advanced Ocular Care Service and director of the Glaucoma Service at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry.

LV: I am an associate professor at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. My patient care is at The Eye Care Institute in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. I am also the residency director and supervise patients in the clinic.

1: Drs. Sowka and Vollmer in Australia 2: Drs. Sowka and Vollmer enjoying the outdoors.
3: The Caldwell family visiting Walt Disney World.

Q: WHERE DID YOU MEET?

DC: We met at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. To be more specific, Greg was leaving the anatomy lab, and I asked him for help. He took off his jacket and stayed.

GC: All I remember is that she wouldn’t talk to me for the first three months, so I had to capitalize on this opportunity.

JS: We began working out together before ever dating.

LV: We met at World Gym in Plantation, Fla.

Q: WHERE AND HOW DID YOU GET ENGAGED?

DC: We found a piece of land that we liked and felt someday we would build a house there. Greg proposed to me there.

GC: We built our house on the land, have been living here for 15 years and have one son, Gregory.

JS: We got engaged at my undergraduate alma mater, Cornell University. At that point, we knew we were getting married, but there had been no actual proposal yet. The campus is gorgeous, and it seemed like the right time and place.

LV: Joe spontaneously proposed to me during a trip to Cornell University, where he was showing me the campus. There was no ring at the proposal, since it was not really planned.

Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?

DC: 15 years.

JS: 12 years.

LV: We have been married for 12 years and together for 16 years. (Joe wants credit for time served.)

Q: WHAT MOVIE BEST DESCRIBES YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND WHY?

JS: “Four Christmases.” Their teamwork through most of the movie describes how we are.

Q: WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC OF A STRONG RELATIONSHIP?

DC: Patience and the willingness to forgive. We have to be able to overlook things and move on!

GC: Sense of humor. Laughing makes everything easier!

JS: Having similar goals, ambitions and values, as well as strong communication. Also, mutual respect.

LV: Remaining a team, yet independent as individuals and never being disrespectful to one another.

Q: HOW DO YOU RESOLVE ARGUMENTS?

DC: We don’t argue. Greg knows I am always right!

GC: Dana knows I am always right!

JS: Equal parts compromise and capitulation.

LV: We rarely have arguments, but when we do, we usually end up realizing how ridiculous it is and just stop.

Q: WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE BEST QUALITY OF YOUR PARTNER?

DC: Determination. When Greg sets his mind to do something, look out! He will not stop until it is done.

GC: Tolerance. I do a lot, I mean a lot, of traveling, and Dana has to pick up the slack both at home and at work.

JS: Lori’s intelligence.

LV: Joe’s patience, objectivity and work ethic are admirable and qualities I have tried to learn from him through the years.

Q: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE VACATION TOGETHER?

DC: North Myrtle Beach, S.C. We meet 70 other people there in July each year. It is great week with family and friends.

GC: I would also have to say Disney World in Florida, as we have been there 13 times through the past few years. It’s more of an experience rather than a vacation, as Dana has Gregory and me out at the crack of dawn, seeing all the parades and shows and returning late at night. Hard core would be an understatement.

JS: The Daintree Rainforest in Australia. It had great subtropical weather, and we also got to see the Great Barrier Reef.

LV: We both really enjoyed visiting the Daintree Rainforest in Australia. We are both active outdoor people, and we love animals. So for us, it was ideal.

1: The Caldwells out on the town.
2: Drs. Sowka and Vollmer visiting Canada.
3: The Caldwells at a Pirates game.

Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE TWO OF YOU THAT YOU FEEL IS INTERESTING OR THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU DON’T KNOW?

JS: We were kayaking in a mangrove when the kayak flipped. Lori was beginning to panic in the fast moving water when I told her to just stand up, and she realized that the water was wasn’t deep at that point.

LV: I initiated the relationship, accidentally. Joe and I went on our first date because I sent an email to him that was intended for my best friend and spilled the beans! After that, I had to come clean.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST MOVIE AND CONCERT YOU HAVE SEEN TOGETHER?

DC: We have seen more than 20 Bon Jovi concerts, and if Greg doesn’t say Bon Jovi is the best concert he has ever seen, then it is grounds for divorce!

GC: Bon Jovi ;-).

JS: I think that the best concert that we have seen together was the Rolling Stones.

LV: For me, it was U2. They are my favorite band of all time. I have attended a show from almost all U2 tours and have never really had a good seat. Joe humored me the last time and won tickets in the red zone. I went early to be as close as possible. Finally, a great “seat”!

Q: DO YOU DISCUSS OPTOMETRY WHEN YOU ARE AT HOME? COULD YOU ELABORATE?

DC: Yes. Our son, Gregory, will tell me he needs -0.25D stronger in his contact lenses. His friends want his photochromic lenses with no glare that block the harmful blue light, but he always tells them they need to get a comprehensive vision exam first.

GC: Yes, it’s kind of hard not to being in the same practice, especially when I travel so much and have to update Dana on various patients.

JS: Yes, we discuss cases and seek each other’s opinion. However, we generally don’t discuss the profession itself. We will discuss issues from the university though.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE OPTOMETRIC MEETINGS AND WHY?

DC: AOA. It includes world-class CE.

GC: AOA. It is the only meeting that governs and sets policy for optometry. I’m a bit biased (I’m a trustee), but AOA and state affiliates have a profound effect on legislation, which protects and moves the profession forward.

JS: The Tasmanian Lifestyle Congress in Australia. It is a small, laid back group with dynamic education and great social events.

LV: The AAO because it is the most important for me as the residency director. It has the best networking opportunities.

Q: WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY, AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?

DC: We have a 12-year-old son, Gregory. He is a great child and avid golfer. We are season ticket holders for the Steelers and attend Pittsburgh Pirate and Penguins games.

GC: Shhh! Dana didn’t want me to put this in, but Gregory shot an 83 in a tournament this year. We enjoy golfing and traveling.

JS: It’s just us, three cats, two birds and two lizards. For fun, I work out in the gym, read and play the piano.

LV: I have a close-knit family. I have an older sister and two younger brothers. I have two nephews and three nieces. As a child, I was raised with my immediate family as well as many cousins, aunts and uncles (and great aunts and uncles). As far as Joe and I, we only have animal children. For fun, I love to exercise. I like to have variety in my physical activities; weight lifting, circuit training, spin and yoga. Joe and I also like to go for bike rides together to get fresh air, physical exercise and to be together doing it.

1: Drs. Sowka and Vollmer on a beach in New Zealand.
2: The Caldwells in Utah.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES, BOOKS, BANDS AND ADULT BEVERAGES?

DC: Movie: “A Walk to Remember,” Book: anything by Nicholas Sparks; Band: Bon Jovi; Adult beverage: Alabama slammer

GC: Movie: “Star Wars;” Book: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People;” Band: Bon Jovi; Adult beverage: wheat beer, bourbon and amaretto.

JS: Movie: “Rocky;” Book: “A Christmas Carol;” Band: The Rolling Stones; Adult beverage: vodka on the rocks.

LV: Movie: “Silence of the Lambs;” Band: U2; Adult beverage: I don’t drink, never liked the taste. OM