20 COVER TOPIC #Luminaries NEW YORK—We hear the term “above and beyond” being bandied called Above & Beyond, honoring women who have led the way in about a lot these days, especially in light of the pandemic as it per- giving back to the industry, their patients and their communities. tains to frontline health care “warriors” and essential workers VM’s Most Influential Women in Optical Report is marking its 18th who take care of the everyday tasks to keep the world humming. year. The VM editors had more than 200 nominees to choose from But there’s another definition of going above and beyond and it and we selected 51 very well deserving women. This year’s group has to do with much more than showing up for work every day. of influential women is made up of executives, sales and marketing It’s about giving 110% to the job, mentoring colleagues and those professionals, ECPs, administrators, researchers and teachers. just starting out, and finding ways to be innovative and pivot at a In our book, they are all indeed #Luminaries and in this Special moment’s notice, all in the name of eyecare and eyewear, and ev- Report we shine a spotlight on their achievements and celebrate erything in between. their talent, character and love of all things optical. n Coincidentally, VM added a new category to this year’s Report —The Editors 21 Above and Beyond WOMEN WHO HAVE LED THE WAY IN GIVING BACK TO THE INDUSTRY, THEIR PATIENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES Lisa print for Cohen Fashion Optical in San threatening blood disease. Adams-Mahepath, OD Juan, Puerto Rico. “Through Dr. Barker-Assell’s experi- In less than five years, there were ence with her daughter, she gained a STERLING OPTICAL three offices on three different islands. personal understanding of the power St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Dr. Adams-Mahepath also worked of literacy, as well as a passion for _________________ with the legislative branch of govern- serving underprivileged populations CHOSEN BECAUSE… “Dr. Lisa ment to expand the scope of the through providing vision and literacy Adams-Mahepath expanded the practice of optometry in the Virgin services—which has become a major scope of practice of Optometry in Islands, with the introduction of the Dr. Amanda Barker-Assell knew from a pillar in their practice,” said Steve Ros- the Virgin Islands with the Thera- Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Optomet- very young age that she wanted to inski, OD, who nominated Dr. Barker- peutic Pharmaceutical Optometric ric Act (Act. No. 7376) in 2012. have a career in health care and to be Assell. Act ( Act No. 7376).” One of Dr. Adams-Mahepath’s per- involved in some kind of mission work. Sadly, Khaleda passed away in 2016, sonal philosophies and mantras as it “Well I am a Type A, high myope (-9D but her memory lives on through Blind- pertains to patient care is to “treat to be exact), so I started visiting the eye Sight, a nonprofit that Dr. Barker-Assell patients as if they are family mem- doctor at a very young age. Like many and her husband started in her honor. bers.” Her philosophies have kept her other high myopes, my first glasses and “The focus of our non-profit is to serve in business for 23 years and counting. more importantly my first contacts were vision and literacy needs domestically life changing. It seemed natural to me and abroad,” Dr. Barker-Assell said. SHE SAYS… “My mother was my to take an interest in a field that would first and most significant mentor. allow me to protect this most precious SHE SAYS… “At the end of my career, She was a simple woman with a sense of vision for others,” she said. I hope I will have led by example and minimum of a junior high school been an encouragement to others.” Dr. Lisa Adams-Mahepath, who received She opened her eyecare practice with certificate, yet she viewed education her Bachelor of Science in Medical her husband in January 2004, just two as a path for upward mobility, finan- Technology from Fairleigh Dickinson cial stability, and independence for years after they graduated from the Uni- University and her Doctor of Optometry her daughters. My Mom instilled the versity of Alabama at Birmingham Patricia Bobilin from Pennsylvania College of Optome- values of hard work and persever- School of Optometry. While she treats try, is the first local optometrist to prac- ance, and these two attributes drive patients of all ages, she has a primary MANAGING DIRECTOR tice in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She is me to work 6 days a week with 10 emphasis in vision therapy and rehabili- SOUTHERN REGION to 12 hour days.” Eye Designs Group also the first female and local to serve tation for pediatric patients, as well as Trappe, Pennsylvania on the Board of Optometrical Examiners traumatic brain injury patients. _________________ in the U.S. Virgin Islands, from October “My strengths are likely also my CHOSEN BECAUSE… “Patricia is a 2004 to present. Amanda flaws. I am driven, dedicated, and will- consistent star in sales and assisting In July 1997, Dr. Adams-Mahepath, ing to work hard. Developing and exe- L. Barker-Assell, OD clients above and beyond the nor- along with her husband Joel, opened cuting plans and strategies are some of mal sale of a product. She literally Sterling Optical Virgin Islands on St. OWNER my strengths. I would say these char- works seven days a week to make Advanced Family Eye Care Croix. A year later, they opened a sec- acteristics lead to a successful practice, sure her clients have the best tools ond location on St. Thomas. “With the Denver, North Carolina but sometimes it is hard for me to stop _________________ to deliver the most complete and ef- opening of Sterling Optical, a monop- and enjoy the small victories,” she said. fective patient experience in today’s CHOSEN BECAUSE… “Deeply oly in the eyecare industry was broken Over the years, she’s been involved competitive optical marketplace. She involved in mission work, Dr. in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Dr. Adams- in various mission projects in many brings knowledge, experience and Barker-Assell is also passionate Mahepath said. “The goal was to pro- countries. During one of these vision- complete integrity to every relation- about serving the community— vide quality and affordable eyecare for related mission trips, they met Khaleda, ship she forms and once a client especially patients who have the community.” an 8-year-old girl they would soon works with her, they’ll work with her vision-related learning problems.” In 2001, the couple started the foot- adopt and who suffered from a life- for the rest of their career.” More Read previous Most Influential Women in Optical Special Reports on VisionMonday.com. See an Alphabetical List of prior years’ honorees and a complete PDF of this year’s feature. JULY-AUGUST 2020 22 Above and Beyond WOMEN WHO HAVE LED THE WAY IN GIVING BACK TO THE INDUSTRY, THEIR PATIENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES Elaine Booth quently worked at Eyemart Express’ gency and urgent visits during the Sherman store for 12 years. “As my pandemic, she used her YouTube REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT knowledge increased, I became ABO channel to keep her patients OF OPERATIONS certified, and my optical career pro- educated and engaged during this Eyemart Express gressed. There is not a single job at the difficult time.” Farmers Branch, Texas store I have not done,” Booth said. _________________ She used her in-store and in-depth CHOSEN BECAUSE… “Elaine Booth experience to move up to a position at Patricia Bobilin has spent 31 years in the joined Eyemart Express more than the Eyemart Express home office as a optical industry, growing from one of the 25 years ago and worked her way region vice president of operations in first female district managers at Marchon up to the VP level after serving as 2005. In this role, she assists in manag- to her current role at Eye Designs Group. a store manager and district man- ing the overall store operations for 118 ager. Over the years, she has per- At Eye Designs, she oversees nine south- Eyemart Express locations, which sonally taken on associates from ern states in the creation of new and includes overseeing training, financial Dr. Denton Dombrowski became an OD all levels as mentees, and has renovated ophthalmic environments, records, inventory controls, and person- because she’s a -4.00 Rx—and because helped them grow. She recognizes providing solutions in custom furniture nel administration and she makes sure of her great uncle, an optometrist him- strengths and opportunities in and displays, and assists in marketing these procedures remain consistent self, who convinced her to take the OAT. team members, and works one-on- and product development. throughout the region. Today, she owns and runs her own prac- one with each person to benefit For Bobilin, the most important part tice, which she said “started at zero their long-term career path.” of her work is helping ODs understand SHE SAYS… “I am passionate about patients and grew very rapidly.” She and the retail aspect of their business. She sharing my knowledge and mentoring her team make sure to “slow down and others. If you think of the mentoring said, “I work diligently to impart good take the time to ensure our patients not process like a construction project, I information to them so that they feel only have a thorough exam, but also work closely with our associates to they are making the best decision.” have a full understanding of their condi- create a solid foundation, and then Through her work, Bobilin has consis- serve as a support system between tion and treatment plan.” tently helped doctors achieve double- their building blocks of knowledge By utilizing social media, particularly digit sales increases.