At Lucens, we believe that every medical professional has a unique story worth sharing. Our "Behind the Scrubs" series pulls back the curtain on the diverse journeys of remarkable individuals in healthcare. Through candid interviews, we explore the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shape careers in medicine.
These stories embody the Lucens philosophy: there's no one "right" way to build a fulfilling medical career. By showcasing various paths, we aim to inspire, guide, and connect the next generation of practitioners. Whether you're a student, resident, or established professional, these insights offer valuable lessons and fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving world of medicine.
Join us as we go "Behind the Scrubs" and discover the human stories that make medicine such a rewarding field.
When did you first become interested in medicine?
I come from a really close family—big family—and taking care of people has always been a huge part of our lives. From a fairly early age, I knew I wanted to take care of people in some way, shape, or form. I wanted to be in healthcare and make people feel better, to really make a difference in their lives.
In high school, we started learning about the eye and the visual system, and I just got super nerdy about it. The eye is this tiny organ that affects so much of how we live, how we perceive others, and our overall quality of life. I thought, "This is really, really cool." And then I started meeting people in the field. A friend’s mom worked as a receptionist at an optometry office and invited me to come in and see what it was like. I met some amazing doctors who were just so passionate about taking care of people and their vision, and I thought, "This is who I want to be."
Can we go back to high school? How did your interest in the eye begin?
Sure! I went to Bishop Grandin High School in Calgary, Alberta. I must have been about 15 or 16, and we were in a biology class dissecting cow eyes. I was completely fascinated by it. The eyeball has all these components and can do so many different things. I was elbow-deep in this eyeball, thinking, "This is so cool!" Meanwhile, the big football players were gloved up, poking at it, and looking like they were going to faint. I remember thinking, "Maybe this is my place."
What’s funny is that this was right around the time when LASIK surgery was becoming a big deal. The idea of being able to correct vision surgically was really exciting, and it all just kind of came together for me at that moment. That’s when I really got excited about the field.
"Optometrists often the first to spot serious health issues like diabetes and hypertension because they can show up in the eyes before the patient even knows there’s a problem."
Why did you decide to enter your specialty?
When I first got to college, I thought I wanted to be an ophthalmologist. But then, I started to move towards nutrition. After a little while I realized I didn't really have a passion for it like I did eye care.
That’s when I started looking into optometry. I knew I still wanted to work with vision, and optometry seemed like the perfect fit because it allowed me to work closely with patients, but without the high level of stress that comes with being a surgeon. I went for a specialty in cornea/anterior segment because I was fascinated by the challenge and felt inspired by others working in the field.
I knew I wanted a career that was fulfilling, where I could make a difference in people’s lives while still maintaining a balanced life. Optometry offered exactly that—a meaningful way to help people see better while also allowing for the kind of work-life balance that was important to me.
What’s the biggest misconception about your specialty?
That it’s just about prescribing glasses and contacts. People often don’t realize how much more we do. Optometrists are trained to diagnose and manage a wide range of eye diseases and conditions. We’re often the first to spot serious health issues like diabetes and hypertension because they can show up in the eyes before the patient even knows there’s a problem. So, it’s not just about vision correction—it’s about overall eye health, and really, overall health.
What’s the next big thing in your specialty that everyone should know about?
The next big thing in optometry is going to be advancements in technology, especially telemedicine and remote monitoring. The ability to monitor patients' eye health remotely and provide care without them needing to come into the office is going to be huge. It’s going to allow us to reach more people, especially those in rural or underserved areas, and ensure they receive the care they need.
Plus, there are exciting developments in treating myopia, which is becoming more common, especially among kids. There’s a lot of research into how we can slow down or even prevent the progression of myopia, and that’s something everyone should be aware of.
Can you tell us about some of your biggest supporters or mentors throughout your career?
I've been really fortunate to have help when I needed it, often at just the right moment. When I was in college and started working at an eye office, considering this field seriously, there was this great doctor who really shared his passion with me.
He didn’t just answer all my questions—he also taught me basic clinical skills, let me shadow him, and showed me how to do contact lens fittings. He even introduced me to concepts from optometry school because he saw that I had a talent and a willingness to learn. That experience really boosted my confidence and helped me feel secure in pursuing the right path.
Later, in optometry school, I worked with some incredible thought leaders. Pat Caroline, a leader in specialty contact lenses, was one of them. He would pull me out of clinic or lectures and say, "Hey, pretend you're in the bathroom—I’ve got a really cool patient downstairs." I'd go down and see these fascinating cases. He took me to conferences, where I listened to him and his colleagues, and that’s when I realized how exciting that world could be.
Pat also did an amazing job of introducing me to contacts in the industry. He’d say, "This is so-and-so from this company," and "Here’s this person from another company," helping me start building a network. That was crucial because it laid the foundation for my future career. He wasn’t just a mentor—he was instrumental in helping me develop that network and understand its importance.
What advice would you give to the Justine who was just starting out?
If this is the field you want to be in and where you want to build your career, talk to people who are doing it at an amazing level. Speaking with accomplished doctors who were doing exactly what I wanted to do not only gave me insight into what I needed to work toward but also helped me connect with the right people.
If you’re serious about something, find someone who’s excelling in that area and ask if you can have a conversation with them. It’s incredible how willing people who’ve worked hard in their careers are to share their knowledge, give you support, and boost your confidence to follow the same path.
Last question - what's the kindest thing anyone’s ever done for you?
I was traveling with a work colleague once, and I remember walking through the airport with him in Ecuador. He was an older gentleman, and it was a bit awkward because he was literally cutting in line in front of people. I was thinking, "Oh man, this is so awkward. I'm fine standing in the back of the line." But that’s just how he was.
He made me stand with him in his boarding group, insisting that I stay right next to him. I told him, "I’m in Group C. I know you're a million miler and in Group 1, but I’m in Group 7, so I’ll just wait back there." But he said, "No, you stand here with me." When we boarded, he insisted on carrying my bag, which was already surprising. Then, he walked to his seat in 1A, put my stuff down, and said, "Give me your ticket. I’ll go sit in coach."
This simple act of kindness—giving up his first-class seat because he felt I deserved it—really resonated with me. It was a reminder of the importance of paying it forward.
