There are many desirable qualities for individuals
being considered for admission into the UMSL College of Optometry. Certainly, a solid academic record, good
interpersonal communication skills, and extensive shadowing – or better yet experience
– with established optometric practices are important factors. However, looking into the eyes of an
applicant to try to determine why they want to be an optometrist is very
important as well. Will they be the type
of individual who will be very dedicated to caring about their patient’s visual
and overall health? Will they take the
time to serve their profession and their community? Meet David Hoel, OD (’98) who personifies
these qualities and more as he continues to be a wonderful ambassador to UMSL
while representing what is truly good about the profession of optometry.
His interest in optometry began during college when
he explored several career options and, after shadowing several different
optometrists, decided this would be an excellent career path to pursue. Upon graduation from UMSL he initially worked
in a commercial setting which he soon decided was not an optimal path for his
future as he relates: “I quickly decided that this type of practice wasn’t for
me. A practice opportunity opened up in
my home town working for an Ophthalmologist.
I later had the opportunity to purchase the practice, but I really
wanted something to call my own. I
started ForSight Eyecare in 2003 and have enjoyed building the practice to what
it is today. I am blessed to have an
excellent staff and supportive wife beside me all the way, and couldn’t have
accomplished it without them along with God’s guidance. It has been hard work, but very rewarding to
take care of my patient’s needs and develop those relationships along the
way. Probably the thing I’m most proud
of during these last 14 years of growth is that I’m still small enough to
care. Like the old saying goes “people
don’t care what you know until they know that you care”.
He credits his education at UMSL for paving the way
to a successful career in optometry although he also began to realize that this
is a profession that encompasses lifelong learning: “UMSL gave me a great
foundation and excellent optometric education.
I really enjoyed having smaller class sizes and the one-on-one attention
I had with my professors. Upon
graduation, I had all the knowledge and skills required to start my
career. However, I quickly learned that
experience is sometimes the best teacher and I still had a lot of learning to
do. In fact, the learning never really
stops as things are constantly changing.”
As confirmation of the fact that he has always cared about the education
he received at UMSL, he is one of five alumni to date who have generously
sponsored an examination room at the new Patient Care Center.
Dr. Hoel and his wife Stephanie are the proud
parents of two boys, Nathan (17 years old), and Daniel (14 years old) and stay
busy through their activities as he relates: “We are both actively involved in
our church and I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Lion’s
Club. Finally, we participate in our
elementary school’s “Partner’s in Education” and we recently performed a cow
eye dissection in our fourth-grade class!”
Comments
Post a Comment