SOCIAL

  O.D. SCENE

THE ENTERTAINING SIDE OF OPTOMETRY

Q&A

It’s been written about and discussed at length: keeping one’s professional and personal life separate. The arguments, such as personal relationships can hinder professional decisions, are well known. Yet, several optometry-practicing couples are successful both professionally and personally. Why?

Sociologist Amitava Sanyal may have the answer: “Couples sharing the same profession sensitize each other to the demands and requirements of the work, which enables better understanding of the stress and strains in work situations,” she says.

She adds, however, that the keys to keeping such relationships successful are to remember that one’s spouse is more important than the work and to leave work-related issues at work to ensure enough time to discuss family and personal matters.

Here, in part one of this series on optometry power couples, I speak with Drs. Kathy Dumbleton and John Flanagan and Leonard and Stephanie Messner. These couples are making profound contributions to the profession through their top-notch teaching and research. Incidentally, Leonard and Stephanie teach my son, so they better give him “A.” Enjoy!

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

KEY OPTOMETRIC LEADER WEIGHS IN...

KATHY DUMBLETON, MSC, MCOPTOM, PH.D., F.A.A.O. & JOHN FLANAGAN, O.D., PH.D. Berkeley, Calif.

LEONARD MESSNER, O.D., F.A.A.O. & STEPHANIE MESSNER, O.D., F.A.A.O. Chicago

Q: CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICES?

KD: I am the director of Clinical Operations of Ocular Technology Group - International, an independent research and consultancy group based in the United Kingdom. Although I am based in my home office in Berkeley, I conduct studies throughout North America and Europe. I am responsible for a wide range of clinical study-related activities from “nuts to soup” as they say in the United States! Previously, I was the head of Clinical Research at the Centre for Contact Lens Research, University of Waterloo.

JF: I am the current dean of the School of Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to starting this position in 2014, I spent almost 30 years in Canada as a professor at both the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science and the University of Toronto, Department of Ophthalmology. I consider myself a “clinician scientist” and have always enjoyed clinical and didactic teaching and research. My research and clinical interests are in glaucoma.

LM: I am the vice president for Patient Care Service at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) and serve as the executive director of the Illinois Eye Institute (IEI). IEI is the clinical division of ICO. My practice within IEI is limited to patients with neuro-ophthalmic and vitreoretinal disorders. Through the past several years, I have been very involved in research related to sideline concussion testing using rapid number naming and the King-Devick Test protocol. It has been most gratifying to witness the rise of vision testing as a reliable sideline indicator of concussion.

SM: I am the vice president for Academic Affairs and the dean of ICO. My responsibilities lie primarily with planning the content and delivery of our academic and clinical training programs, outcomes analysis and accreditation. I do still see patients, however, on a limited basis in the IEI. My practice is primary eye care with a strong emphasis in glaucoma management.

1: Drs. Dumbelton and Flannagan at UC Berkeley 2: The Messners touring Tuscany in Italy.

Q: WHERE DID YOU MEET?

KD: We met in Cardiff, Wales. Neither of us can remember exactly where or exactly when (how unromantic?). It was sometime in 1983.

JF: We were initially introduced through a mutual friend, but did not start dating until some months later. At the time, Kathy was in the optometry program at Cardiff University, and I was in the Vision Science Ph.D. program at Aston University in Birmingham, England. Kathy’s family lived in Birmingham, making a long-distance relationship somewhat easier.

LM: We met at the University of Pittsburgh through a mutual friend at a fraternity party in 1976. We were very young; only 18 years old!

SM: We were friends for six months before we had our first date, which was a bit of a disaster. There was a terrible thunderstorm that evening, and I lost power. I was in the middle of styling my 1970’s Farrah Fawcett hair (half my head was done), and I told Len that I couldn’t go out looking that way. He drove me to the home of a friend who still had power, and I finished my look. When we got to our destination, there was about 4 inches of water in the parking lot. Instead of leaving me at the curb, Len parked the car some distance away. When he opened my car door, he had a golf umbrella to shield us from the weather. As I was getting out he accidently hit me in the head with the umbrella and knocked me into the car. I had a headache for the rest of the night and a bruise that lasted a week. I remember telling a friend that I doubted he would ask me out again, and I wouldn’t go if he did. But we gave it a second try, and the rest is history!

Q: WHERE AND HOW DID YOU GET ENGAGED?

KD: John got down on his knee outside his black Vauxhall Astra GTE (where I was sitting) and proposed!

JF: We got engaged at Birmingham New Street train station! Kathy had just arrived on the train from London, where she was working at Moorfields Eye Hospital, on her birthday.

LM: We got engaged the summer before we started optometry school in our hometown of Johnstown, Pa.

SM: We picked out the ring together, so it was no surprise, but still very sweet and romantic.

Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?

KD: We have been married for just more than 30 years.

JF: We celebrated our anniversary in Sonoma, Calif. earlier this year.

SM: We’ll celebrate 35 years in 2016!

Q: WHAT MOVIE BEST DESCRIBES YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND WHY?

KD: We couldn’t decide, so we asked our daughters, who said “Love Actually”!

JF: This may seem like a cheesy response, but our daughters reminded us of the unique and individual stories that intertwine in this movie, that somewhat mirror ours, with everything ultimately circling back to marriage, family and home life.

LM: “It’s Complicated.” Our relationship is both personal and professional, which can make things complicated. In our professional roles, our interests are often competing — what is good for the IEI isn’t always the best for the academic program or vice versa.

SM: Through the years we have learned to find common ground and the value of compromise. I suppose that our professional relationship is much like a marriage in that way. The other complicating factor is the need to try to keep our personal lives separate from our professional — it can be all consuming!

1/3: Drs. Dumbleton and Flannagan in Italy, top, and Vietnam, bottom.
2: The Messners with their daughter Jordan.

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

KD: Sharing. We are very fortunate that we share many common interests — our profession, our enthusiasm for new challenges, our love of food, wine and enjoying the outdoors.

JF: We also share our individual experiences with each other, good or bad, every day.

LM: Trust and loyalty.

SM: Trust. If you can’t trust the other party, regardless of the nature of the relationship, it isn’t going to work. Of course genuinely liking the other person is a big plus too. I feel fortunate to have both of those things.

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

KD: John’s constant love and caring.

JF: Kathy’s generosity of spirit.

LM: Stephanie is the most intelligent person I know. She is extraordinarily analytical and is always in complete control of the facts. This quality has certainly served her well throughout her professional career as well as at home. She is also extremely loyal to colleagues, friends and family.

SM: Len has more integrity than just about anyone I know. He will always do what is right for every situation, big or small, even if it is at his (or my) inconvenience. I am not always so generous.

Q: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE VACATION TOGETHER?

KD: We loved our vacation to Naples, Italy and the Amalfi Coast in September of 2013.

JD: Exploring Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum were fascinating, and we enjoyed the beautiful Amalfi coastline, by car, boat and on foot. The food and wine were wonderful too!

LM: Several years ago, we took a trip to Napa Valley, Calif., and had a wonderful time touring the various wineries.

SM: We stayed at a great place in Yountville and had a supply of breads, cheeses and olives in our car as we went from tasting to tasting! It was great fun!

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?

KD: We have both slept with presidents, and we were both presidents at the time. John was the president of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, and I was the president of the American Optometric Foundation. Hopefully, this is self-explanatory?

JF: There was a funny moment when travelling in Holland in the Netherlands with my band The Lost Faculties. As we disembarked from a small luxury bus at the Amsterdam airport and grabbed our guitars from the luggage hold, a passer said, “I wonder who they used to be?”

SM: Len originally had planned to go into dentistry and take over a family friend’s practice. When we met, I got him interested in optometry. He jokes that he went to optometry school so that he wouldn’t lose me. But as it turned out, he is the one who became the truly accomplished clinician and scholar.

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

KD: Not often. We are fortunate enough to have many other things to discuss; however, we have had some heated discussions since we were asked to do this interview!

JF: In all seriousness, we do discuss optometry outside the workplace, but it is usually with friends or colleagues and not just the two of us.

LM: While we try to get away from optometry while at home, it isn’t always easy to do. In our current roles, we attend many after-hours functions that are optometry related.

SM: In addition, we value one another’s opinions, so we often bounce ideas off each other or seek advice about work-related issues. And sometimes we talk about interesting patients.

The Messners after a charitable 5k.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE OPTOMETRIC MEETINGS AND WHY?

KD: Firstly, the AAO meeting because it allows our clinician scientists to translate their research findings into future optometric practice. My other favorite meeting is the International Society for Contact Lens Research. Why? Because this is where I get excited about what I do!

JF: The Optometric Glaucoma Society.

LM: For the past 10 years or so, Len has been a regular participant at the EYE Ski Conference in Park City, Utah. There is a very loyal core of attendees. It’s like a family reunion!

SM: We both like the AAO meeting for it’s high level of education and opportunity to catch up with old friends. It has been most gratifying to see the continued growth in attendance, emergence of special interest groups/sections and expansion of research forums within the Academy.

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

KD: We have two wonderful daughters, Sarah and Alison. Both were born in Canada and still live there. Sarah is completing the Physician Assistant program at the University of Toronto. For fun, we love the arts — theater, musical theater and live music.

JF: Alison has completed her M.D. from McMaster University and is completing a residency in family medicine before, hopefully, pursuing a fellowship in palliative care. For fun, Kathy and I also enjoy many outdoor activities, including hiking, running and skiing.

LM: We have one daughter, Jordan, who is at Georgetown University getting a graduate degree in public policy with a focus in health care policy. For fun, I love to play golf. The combination of frustration and rewards mirrors life.

SM: Even though Jordan wasn’t interested in becoming an optometrist, it appears that health care is in her blood! She’ll graduate this spring and hopes to work for a policy think tank. We are incredibly proud of her! For fun, I am an avid reader, primarily of fiction. I took up running about 10 years ago. I find it to be great for both physical and mental health. I have also taken up golf with the hope that it is something that Len and I will be able to do together when we finally retire.

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

KD: Movie: “The Theory of Everything;” Book: “The Kite Runner;” Band: I listen to what John listens to, Adult beverage: Russian River Valley Pinots (Joseph Swan)

JF: Movie: “The Jungle Book;” Book: “Cutting for Stone;” Band: The Beatles; Adult beverage: Russian River Valley Pinots (Joseph Swan)

LM: Movie: “Lincoln;” Book: “Freakonomics;” Band: Bruce Springsteen; Adult beverage: Silver Oak Cabernet 2009

SM: Movie: “Gone with the Wind,” Book: “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” Band: I like classical piano: Adult beverage: Jax Cabernet 2012. OM