Every year we profile a few of the most interesting members of the class and for whom, in some cases, the journey was not an easy one. For the class of 2016 we are spotlighting Drs. Laurie Thompson, Ashley Ozanne, and Matt and Mike Squires.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Back in the fall of 2013 the College of Optometry was presented with both an opportunity and a challenge. Dean Larry Davis’s dream to have a new facility was in development. However, a substantial percent of the funding would need to come from a student fee to be paid over a 30-year period . This fee would be assessed to current students, many of whom would either not benefit (i.e., “pay it forward”) or minimally benefit. Furthermore, Dean Davis made it clear the project would not proceed without overwhelming approval from our current students. Enter Laurie Thompson, a second year student at that time. She made recommendations at the meeting that made it an idea that could be easier to sell to the other students, notably the first years. She ultimately talked to other students, curators, an UMSL decision-making body, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “I continued to become more and more involved in the project by being a voice to the students and of the students. I am older than the average optometry student and I believe that this life experience gave me more confidence in meeting and communicating with the leadership of the UM System. Other students also looked to me for advice and answers to questions about the project. I didn’t always have the answers, but I wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions and get the answers that were needed.”
She made a difference in this process and her efforts came to light on January 31, 2014, when the Board of Curators voted to approve this much-needed facility, and she was in attendance to hear them comment about the impact students had in this decision.
Her journey to optometry was also quite remarkable. She was happily married to her husband Chris and had three children before she had the courage (and the support) to take a risk. But to know Dr. Laurie Thompson is to know there is no mountain she can’t climb, “I got married when I was 18 and had my first child when I was 19. My husband is in the Air Force and we moved a lot. At the age of 25, I had my third child and was moving yet again. I was in direct sales for a while because it was something I could do from home while my children were little. When my youngest started 2nd grade, I decided it was time for a change. I decided to join the Air Force Reserve to have a part time job that would result in retirement benefits later in life. I planned to become an optometry technician, but was not thrilled about the prospect of 8 weeks Basic Military Training. One day in passing, my husband said, “Why don’t you go to optometry school and be the doctor instead of the tech?” That simple statement changed my life. We were preparing for another move, but I flew across the country to meet with a school in the new area so I could get my prerequisites started. The rest is history. The road was long and hard, but I don’t regret it for a minute.”
She had a difficult decision to make as to where she would receive her optometric training but she is very happy she chose UMSL. “I was actually accepted to the inaugural class of PCO’s 3-year program in addition to their traditional program. There were several reasons I chose UMSL. Location was a factor; I had previously lived in the St. Louis area and felt at ease coming back to something familiar. The biggest reason I chose UMSL was because it seemed like a family. I wanted to have a small class size where I could get to know my classmates. I wanted to be able to make a difference and be involved at the school. I am thrilled with my choice and can’t imagine having gone anywhere else.”
Thompson had a great support system at home. “My family is very important to me. I have been married to the love of my life, Chris, for 21 years. Chris has served in the US Air Force for 21 years. We have 3 great kids. I have an amazing husband who came along side me and supported me through my education. He was willing to pick up slack when I needed him to and allowed me to take the time I needed to ensure my success. I also relied heavily on the faculty and my classmates. The family atmosphere that is fostered at UMSL allows students to ask for help when they need it without feeling like a failure. It is true that we want everyone to succeed. It is important to prioritize things and understand that you can’t do everything all the time. Due to my commitments outside of school, I chose to be a member of many organizations and to offer my leadership through participation with individual projects instead of taking on a titled position. You must pick what is most important at the time and concentrate on that.”
And what lies in the future for Dr. Thompson? “In July, I will begin my career as a pediatric optometrist, working with a low-income population in Colorado Springs. I plan to remain active in the political arm of my profession by maintaining membership in the American Optometric Association as well as the Colorado Optometric Association. I am excited about where things are going in optometry and at UMSL.”
Although Laurie and Chris face the same debt issues as any family with a graduate from a health professional school, they paid the College of Optometry the ultimate compliment: they committed to sponsoring an examination room in the UMSL Center for Patient Care. We can always count our blessings for the quality of individuals we have been so fortunate to have in our program. When it comes to Dr. Laurie Thompson, we can count our blessings twice.
THE MOTHER
Like Dr. Laurie Thompson, she is the mother of three children but the challenge to her successful journey through the College of Optometry was that her second child was born immediately before entering the College and her youngest was born during her tenure at UMSL. She not only graduated in four years but she graduated with honors. Welcome to the world of Dr. Ashley Ozanne.
Like so many students entering the College of Optometry her interest in the profession was initiated by the impact of her own optometrist as she relates: “I always knew I wanted to help people. For a long time I thought a physical therapist was what I wanted but after shadowing one for career day, it wasn't everything I'd hoped it would be. When I went to my optometrist that year, an interest sparked in me. I had been going for years but for some reason that year, I really listened and watched as she explained everything she was doing and why. I completely fell in love with eyes.”
Of course, like Laurie she had a great support system and feels that this actually helped her be successful. “My husband and I are both in school so we really had to plan who got to study before the kids went to bed and then we would both stay up together and study after the kids had gone to sleep. Our families were a great deal of help as well. Even though they lived twelve hours away, if we really needed them because we had boards or finals coming up they were always willing to come help out.
Everyone always says 'I don't know how you made it through optometry school with three kids'. I don't know how I would have done it without them. Although it probably made things more difficult, I did it for them. There were times I thought it would be easier to give up; I knew I couldn't because of them and I am so glad I didn't because I can't imagine a career that I could love better than this!”
She was also very appreciative of being a member of UMSL’s Class of 2016. "I had a great experience at UMSL. I loved the small class size. You were able to get to know your teachers and each one knew you on a personal level. I loved all the organizations especially SVOSH, and I loved playing intramural volleyball when I had time (we placed 1st during 2 seasons).”
Dr. Ozanne’s future plans include private practice in Wisconsin as soon as her husband completes his chiropractic program later this summer. She can graduate knowing that she was a great tutor and role model for both her class and the Class of 2017. At graduation she was recognized for being a member of Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometry Honor Society and was awarded the Good-Lite Award for pediatric optometry. Someday her three young children will understand something that we already know; Dr. Ashley Ozanne is truly a special individual who will be a great optometrist.
DOUBLE VISION
Before May 14th, the College of Optometry had graduated a pair of sisters, a sister and a brother and – over 35 years ago - had admitted a pair of twins. However, the College did not graduate their first twins until this year. We introduce you to Drs. Matt and Mike Squires.
Like so many twin brothers they have always been very close. They performed very well academically at Drury University where they were collegiate swimmers, both benefitting from being CRT nighttime only contact lens wearers. In fact, it was the orthokeratology process and the optometrist who fit them that inspired them to pursue their chosen profession as they relate. “Wearing orthoK lenses for the majority of our lives sparked our curiosity for optometry, but our countless visits to our family optometrist Dr. Russell Doerksen (‘89) solidified our interest in the career.”
And the UMSL College of Optometry allowed them to pursue their dream successfully as they relate. “Going to school with a family member means that family is extremely important to both of us. That's what we liked so much about UMSL. We both remember the warm and welcoming environment on our interview day with Dr. Bennett, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Boland that sold us on the program. The smaller class size emphasizes the overwhelming sense of family and community in the optometry school. Building relationships with the faculty members was easy to do with the close-knit environment, so being able to rely on faculty to help with coursework, patient encounters, and future endeavors was incredibly beneficial.”
Of course, they found it beneficial to survive a very rigorous program with the assistance of their best friend. “We both feel very fortunate to have fulfilled our lifelong dreams of becoming optometrists together. Optometry school had its ups and downs, but going through school with your best friend and brother helps with the highs and lows. We were the perfect study partners for each other, and the best punching bags too for the stressful times. We will always be each other's biggest competition and best allies, but having each other throughout school helped us both stay motivated and focused. We certainly enjoyed our time together at UMSL, and are proud to be remembered as "the twins" to most faculty and staff.”
Their future plans, not surprisingly, involve working together as they relate: “Naturally, we both want to do the same thing! We both have decided that military optometry is how we want to start our optometry careers. Maybe one day we will open a private practice together and confuse all of our patients! For now, we look forward to serving our country, and paying off student loans!”
Everyone has a story and everyone’s journey is different. The stories of Laurie, Ashley and Mike and Matt are very inspiring and exemplify the caliber of our students here at UMSL.