Issue 13.14
It came as a shock to realize I was the oldest and most experienced ophthalmologist practicing full time in St. George. I still felt 29, “ish”, but I’d been doing ophthalmic surgery for nearly 20years. My closest competitor was at least five years behind me; many of them have been practicing for less than five years. I never thought I’d be “the old lady on the block.” So, what’s the silver lining?
Y’all know that having been around the block a few times brings perspective and wisdom.
Driving and surgery are alike in some ways. Both require practice, and a demonstration of skill just to become licensed. At first, basic skills come slowly. After years of practice, an appreciation of subtle nuance and inflection is second nature. High performance surgery and high performance driving both require sustained focus and attention to detail and, when things are flowing well, they’re both really fun!!
In the last several years it’s been a joy for me to see and hear my daughter learn to play the piano. She still practices her scales six days a week, but she knows them. She still uses a metronome, but she knows what it feels like to play in a certain rhythm or at a certain speed.
Some pieces she can play by heart, with her eyes closed. She hopes to graduate from proficiency to virtuosity, to be able to perform with spontaneity and respond to an audience. I wouldn’t dare operate with my eyes closed but, after ten thousand cases, I do sometimes operate in my dreams, and I can talk to my patients during surgery. !
It has been my privilege to see ophthalmic surgery evolve with many advances in technology, to be the catalyst who first introduced some of these new technologies to St. George: femtosecond laser cataract surgery & LASIK, laser treatment for glaucoma, Express valve & iStent surgery for glaucoma. Way back in 2002, I purchased the OCT laser inferometry system to evaluate optic nerves and retinas for macular degeneration, diabetic eye care and glaucoma. At the time it was the only such machine between LA and Denver (it’s standard of care now).
Our team has grown from 3 to 25 skilled souls. We share the mission of helping patients see to read and drive until they’re 103, or whatever comes next. I’m proud to work hand in hand with Dr. Reed Gibb & Dr. Josh Terry in comprehensive eye care.
In surgical & medical retina, Dr. Mike Teske & Dr. Rachel Jacoby, from the Moran Eye Center, provide tremendous expertise. (It only took ten years of asking nicely to talk Dr. Teske into it (and work it out with the University of Utah Medical Center), well worth the wait! Dr. Jacoby is his protégé, with nearly ten years of her own experience. Dr. Kristin Tarbet graces us with her virtuosity in oculoplastics (cosmetic and medical) and neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Elliot, a specialist in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, will be seeing patients soon. Brian Gerritson, a specialist in vision enhancement and low vision, helps many of our patients with abnormal vision lead pretty normal lives. Many of our ophthalmic technicians have been in ophthalmology longer than I have; they know their stuff! Everyone participates in continuing education; it’s just part of the gig:)!
I am grateful for what the years have taught me, and I am no longer the oldest ophthalmologist practicing full time in St. George. I still feel 29 “ish”, but I grew up and realized that as much as I love surgery and clinic, I needed a surgical partner to keep things flowing, in surgery, clinic, and at home. I am blessed now to share the practice with Dr. Larry Gabriel, an accomplished comprehensive surgical ophthalmologist who also does surgery in his sleep:)
For more information you can visit www.richenseyecenter.com or if it is time for your eye exam please call Richens Eye Center at 1-435-986-2020.