Diva of the week – Charlotte Newman, O.D.

The featured Diva of the week is Dr. Charlotte Newman. Read the full feature below to learn how Charlotte is finding balance in her life as a mom, a wife, and an Optometrist.

1. Tell us a little bit about you

I was born in Iran and lived there for the first 12 years of my life. However, during the Iranian Revolution, my family fled the country for our safety. Because of the bravery of my father and the kindness of others, we made it safely into the US where we could begin our new life as a family.

I grew up in Granada Hills, California and attended the local high school. I have been married for 26 years and have four children. My husband is my greatest supporter and my #1 fan! He has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I feel blessed to have him as a partner in life.

Something I like about myself is that I have motivated and empowered my daughters to become well-rounded women. I feel as though I have shown them that a woman can pursue a career all while raising their children and taking care of a family, and I am proud of that.

That also is why I am so excited that one of my daughters is pursuing optometry.  She will also attend the same school that I did, Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, California. We have come a long way as a family!

I am truly honored and humbled to serve as a role model for all of my children, including my 2 sons. Being their mom has been my greatest accomplishment!

2. What made you decide to become an Optometrist?

I always knew I wanted to be a Health Care Professional since I was a child. My sister was a midwife and I always admired her work. She inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare. When I would visit her as a child, I observed the positive impact she had on her community.  The people she served were always so grateful and she felt she was making a difference in their lives. I wanted to make such a difference.

My passion for the field of optometry originated from my first eye exam. I always had very good vision as a child, until one day when I couldn’t see street signs anymore. My sister told my mom that I needed glasses. After I got my first pair of glasses, I was amazed at how well I could see. That experience changed everything.

After that first experience with my glasses, I began to look into Optometry as a career choice. In my research, I discovered that Optometry was the right profession for me. It would give me the flexibility to be a doctor and care for my patients while raising my family. And as a bonus, I’d never have to deal with blood. I had found my calling!

3. What Optometry school did you go to?

Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University

4. Where do you currently practice?

I own a private practice in Beverly Hills, CA – Dr Newman Optometry & Vision Therapy Clinic of Beverly Hills

5. Do you offer any specialty services in your practice?

Vision Therapy and Sports Therapy

6. Name 1 to 3 hurdles you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?

As a woman in the fiels of Optometry field and raising four children, it was difficult to balance everything, especially when I started my own private practice. 11 years ago when the opportunity suddenly came in my path, I had a decision to make. I knew I loved optometry but I also loved my children. How could I have both?

I knew that to make the practice grow, I had to put in a lot of time while simultaneously ensuring my kids grew in the right path both emotionally and academically. I decided to choose the path where I was my a mom first and an optometrist second.

That meant daily that I would leave the office early to pick up the kids from school, and take them to different after school activities such as piano, sports or tutoring. I knew this would give them the strongest foundation they needed so that in the coming years they could become more independent individuals that could decipher between right and wrong.

As a result of providing my children with the right foundation when they were younger, years later I have shifted my focus towards my practice and not always worry about my children– of course, I still do! Fortunately, through my struggles, my husband was always supportive and always had my back to make sure I can take care of my family while also running an office.

I am also grateful for my community of grandparents and other family members who supported our family during those years. It really does take a village.

7. If you could go back to when you were a student, what advice would you give yourself?

I would tell myself to not only become a great doctor, but to also master the business aspect of running a private practice. This could have helped me even when I was working for other private practices in my beginning stages.

How to Contact Dr. Charlotte Newman

To contact Dr. Newman, email her at [email protected]

Website: http://drnewmanoptometry.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNewmanOptometryBeverlyHills/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-charlotte-newman