THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF SPOTLIGHTS ON FEMALE OPTOMETRISTS

OM READERS were introduced to optometrist Maria Sampalis last year, as columnist for “Corporate O.D.” Here’s an in-depth look at this eye care provider, website administrator, wife, mother and mentor.

EYE CARE PROVIDER

Dr. Sampalis’ business, Sampalis Eye Care, is a private practice housed in a corporate setting in Cranston, R.I. When opening her practice, like any new business owner, she faced challenges. Dr. Sampalis says she places the learning curve at about five years, and says that creating a patient-friendly brand is vital.

WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR

The O.D. was driven to look for ways to learn from and share with others who work in similar environments. To that end, she created the websites CorporateOptometry.com and CorporateOptometryCareers.com and the Corporate Optometry Facebook group (more than 19,000 members.)

MOTHER

Dr. Sampalis has two children and, like many of us, struggles to “do it all.” Her biggest challenge is “juggling home and work,” she says. She attributes her success in achieving that balance to her husband and family. Also, flexibility is key. (At times, her kids join Mom at work!)

MENTOR

As a female O.D., Dr. Sampalis values the female perspective. Networking with other women in the industry is a goal, one that she recently furthered by joining the Optical Women’s Association. It allows her to network with women from all aspects of the industry.

Look for Dr. Sampalis, the 2007 optometrist of the year in Rhode Island, at national and regional optical shows. OM

–YVETTE CARRANZA

This column represents the female perspective in eye care. It is produced in cooperation with the Optical Women’s Association.