Diversity panelists endorse mentorship, inclusion
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WASHINGTON — A panel of optometrists here at Optometry’s Meeting urged their colleagues to provide mentorship and practice inclusion in their eye clinics.
Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL) hosted the discussion, “Eyes on Inclusion: Mentorship Matters,” during an Alcon-sponsored press event.
OWL president-elect Nivine B. Woods, PharmD, MBA, who is also chief marketing officer at EyeCare Partners, explained that OWL began in 2004 as Ophthalmic Women Leaders to advance women.
“In 2015 it changed from ‘women leaders’ to ‘world leaders’ to demonstrate inclusivity,” Woods said. “We have a strong presence at all the big ophthalmology meetings. We believe when members bring their authentic self to work they can maximize their potential.”
A priority for the group in 2023 is to advance into optometry, Woods said.
During the group’s first event at an optometry meeting, panel members discussed difficulties LGBTQ people have in finding mentors.
“For LGBTQIA+ people, there are no mentors out there. We hope to show people that we are there to serve as mentors,” Jeffrey J. Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, associate dean for research at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, said. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities for formal mentorship, but the informal mentorships have been the most beneficial for me.”
Bryce St. Clair, OD, FAAO, an instructor in the department of ophthalmology at Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said discussions like this can help improve the situation.
“I know people who went to SUNY because they felt they could be themselves there. That’s a shame. Ohio State was great,” St. Clair said. “I want to convince people to go to the school that they want to go to and create a diverse atmosphere. We should have scholarships to attract queer youth into optometry school to diversify the profession. A huge percentage of queer youths experience depression.”
Rachel Gorgy, OD, a resident at Baltimore Veterans Hospital from Salus University and Johns Hopkins University, agreed that more opportunities to increase representation could be created through grants and scholarships.
“The more diverse thought you have, the more innovation you ultimately have,” Walline said. “If we can bring a wider voice to optometry, we can innovate and move our profession forward in a much better way.”
“We just have to show up,” Lauren K. Haverly, OD, owner of Prism Eye Care in St. Paul, Minnesota, said. “Optometry looks so much different than it did in the 1980s and 1990s. Eventually you’ll find a mentor. If we’re not present at the table, we don’t have the chance to change the narrative.”
Woods asked the panel members to suggest things clinicians can do in their practices to be LGBTQ-friendly.
“There’s a misconception that you have to take giant leaps and bounds to show you’re queer-friendly,” St. Clair said. “You don’t. Have pronouns on your forms. Don’t divide your frame room by gender; divide by brands instead. Use gender-neutral language — say spouse or partner, not wife or husband. It doesn’t take an overhaul. You don’t have to wave the pride flag to show solidarity.”
Haverly added, “A mom drove her trans son an hour to see me because she knew he would be comfortable.”
“I see at least three LGBTQ-spectrum patients a day,” St. Clair said. “We need to make ourselves welcoming.”
Woods also asked the panelists to offer advice to younger versions of themselves.
“If you are confident when you talk about your spouse or partner, other people will be comfortable,” Haverly said. “Come out on your own terms. If you’re not ready to do it, that’s OK. Find the people who will support you, and eventually you’ll feel comfortable. We’re up here talking about it, but this doesn’t have to be you yet.”
“Take baby steps, but you will gain momentum with every step,” St. Clair said. “It’s important to [show who you are]; a younger patient of yours may need to see that to feel comfortable with themselves. You don’t have to sacrifice any part of yourself. I was raised in rural Alabama, I’m a Christian and I go to church. That’s who I am.”
Gorgy said to be honest with the people around you, “but try to find your people a little sooner.”
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