From Burnout to Balance: One OD’s Journey Back to Corporate Optometry
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Dr. Tonya Tira, OD, FAAO, began her optometry career intending to enter a private practice but after graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005, she struggled to secure a position as a new grad. This led her to corporate optometry, where she began working as a float doctor for America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, part of the National Vision Doctor of Optometry network. Under the mentorship of Dr. Neil Crofoot, she gained invaluable experience, learning the ins and outs of corporate optometry, which helped her grow in confidence and skill. Despite this success, her desire to open her own practice persisted, pushing her to explore other opportunities, including a residency as well as work in vision therapy and pediatric optometry.
After several years of pursuing private practice, Dr. Tira realized that corporate optometry offered the balance she needed. When she returned to America’s Best in 2020, she found not only professional independence but also a supportive environment that allowed her to focus on her patients and family.
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