Alumni Spotlight: Christine Pham, OD, FAAO, Assistant Professor
Dr. Pham is a WesternU Alumna. She graduated from the WesternU College of Optometry in the Class of 2013. She completed her Residency in Primary Care and Geriatrics, 2014 at the VA Bedford Massachusetts, New England College of Optometry. She is a member of the American Optometric Association. She became a Fellow in the AOA in 2017. She has received the distinguished awards of Eye Care Institute Golden Eye Chart Award, leadership in optometric education, Volunteer of the Year, MEND nonprofit organization Eye Clinic, Wal-Mart Optometry Scholarship, Ciba Vision Educational Lens Award. She is an Assistant Professor at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry and serves as a clinical preceptor at the ChapCare Medical Health Center, Pasadena. She also is a CE lecturer and provides support to the College in the Admissions process.
What is your fondest memory of WUCO professionally and/or personally?
When I was a student, I interviewed for WUCO in the Nursing Building. I also have fond memories of having optics labs in the basement of the nursing building when the Health Education Center and the Patient Care Center were under construction. One of the best memories of WUCO was the excitement and joy when HEC and PCC opened. We were the first to use the lecture halls of HEC and see patients at PCC. Dean Kurtz said, “welcome to your new home”.
What do you love about WUCO?
I love the camaraderie and family feel of WUCO. There was always support, laughter and free food to fuel poor starving students.
Why did you choose the profession of optometry?
Like most biological science majors, I was med- school bound. I quickly changed focus to optometry after shadowing optometrists. I enjoyed the idea of different specialties, building a private practice, and interacting with patients. I also found neuro-optometry very special since my father had several strokes that left him with left sided weakness. I wanted to be a part of a team of doctors that helped diagnose and treat ocular diseases that stemmed from systemic illnesses.
What is your favorite thing about being an optometrist?
Providing the gift of sight, patient care interaction, mentoring the future of optometry, educating the community on preventative care through health screenings and fairs
What are your passions outside optometry?
I am a wine enthusiast!
What’s the most interesting thing you’re working on right now?
I suppose the most interesting thing that I am working on is planning a wedding!!! I am very excited to enter the next phase in my personal life.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Earning my Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry was my proudest achievement.
What was your favorite subject in Optometry school?
Principles and practices of optometry was my favorite subject. I loved learning new skills and different ways to get to the same endpoint.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received professionally?
My first job out of residency was working for a high-volume ophthalmology office. My technician was well seasoned and worked in the field for 30+ years. She saw how overwhelmed I was with this transition and told me, “The grass is not greener on the other side. Sometimes you need to add fertilizer and allow the grass to grow!” This advice reminds me to keep pushing and to never quit. It has helped me personally and professionally.
What’s something that has surprised you about being an Optometrist?
I was surprised that being an optometrist made me become a better listener. Those that know me well would describe me as being animated and a great storyteller that talks too much! Now, I enjoy listening to my patients as they share their life’s successes and challenges.
What person has influenced you the most in the field of Optometry?
There is not one person that has influenced me the most in optometry. I like to believe that we all have different phases in our professional career: student, resident, first job, second job, last job. You meet so many different professionals along the way that helps you with your own professional development. All my past, present and future colleagues influenced me.
