Diva of the Week – Kristie Nguyen, O.D.

In our quest to fulfill our mission to Empower, Connect and Promote the success of women ODs, we have created this weekly feature to promote our amazing members across the country. Their stories will inspire you to dream big and reach higher!

The featured Diva for this week is Dr. Kristie Nguyen. Read the full feature below to learn how being half asleep in church led to career dedicated to helping people!

1. Tell us a little bit about you?

I’m originally from Texas but moved to Florida for Optometry school. After graduation, I got married and stayed in Florida. I have 2 beautiful girls, ages 8 & 10. I’m a very positive person. I like to give others the benefit of the doubt that they are good. I love to travel to new places and eat delicious new food.

2. What made you decide to become in Optometrist?

Growing up, I came from a very religious family. We attended church almost EVERY single day. I recall one afternoon while dosing off half paying attention and thinking about which homework to complete once I got home, the priest was retelling the story of how Jesus cured the blind. For some reason, the story captured my attention that day.

 

During my Junior High years, I started contemplating which career choice I’d like to pursue when I grew up. I love helping people, albeit too much sometimes, but it makes my heart happy.  I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to help people every day. 

 

I figured becoming a doctor would be a smart decision.  I’d have a prestigious profession and would get to help people everyday. However, I couldn’t decide on which medical path to choose. I ruled out any specialty that had exposure to blood since I couldn’t stand the sight of blood, even my own. But that day, when that priest woke me up from my daydream with his sermon, that passage from the Bible resonated with me. I realized that’s what I wanted to do – I wanted to help people see! 

3. What Optometry school did you go to?

NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry

4. Where do you currently practice?

Because of my very flexible and profitable skincare business, I only work as an OD a few days a week.  

Phantastic Eye Care, Eric Perez and Associates

Boutique Eye Orlando

Rodan + Fields 

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

Contacts lenses, pediatrics and general optometry

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

One of the biggest hurdles I faced in the beginning of my career was passing the NBEO exam.  I didn’t pass the test the 1st time I took it, and I was very disappointed. This test was crucial for me to practice optometry anywhere, so I knew I had to try again until I got a passing grade.

 

I knew in my heart that God had set this path in motion for me a long time ago and that He would see me through it. This is how I overcame this hurdle – I prayed and studied as hard as I could. When I took the tests the second time, I passed.  I believe my faith and my discipline to study hard helped me get that passing grade, that is why I’m so positive and grateful everyday!

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

If I could go back, I’d tell myself to do the following:

 

Network! Network! Network! Doing well in school is crucial to learning how to care and manage your patients but knowing the right people could determine your future. Get out of your shell, and connect with others who are more successful than you.

To contact Kristie, you can click on her social media profile links below or visit her website – drkristie.myrandf.com