FOR Rajinder Uppal, optometrist and owner of OPSM Wendouree, it\u2019s variety that keeps a big smile on her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing I love about my job is on any given day I get to switch between seeing patients, to coaching young team members, to coming up with creative ideas of how I can improve my business,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll while maintaining our focus on delivering high quality eye care. There aren\u2019t many industries where I\u2019d be able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
A dedicated professional and vision specialist, Rajinder said forming lifelong bonds with customers is a highlight of her job.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I love about optometry, particularly optometry in country areas, is the ability to build connections with my patients,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have treated patients from when they were in prep with their first pair of glasses to when they left for university. Over that time, I have been able to build relationships with their whole family.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to achieve that, for me is an accomplishment because the fact that they keep coming back means that I am doing something right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rajinder\u2019s biggest business achievement would have to be winning the Franchise Council of Australia awards for Victoria in 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the first time I realised that I had moved from being an optometrist who had her own practice, to being a business women as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Rajinder feels that it\u2019s important that her profession as a whole continues to deliver high quality eye care into the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs with other health care industries there will always be challenges,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat I hope is that we continue to be respected for what we do.<\/p>\n
\u201cOptometrists play a crucial role in our communities. At all my practices delivering a high standard of eyecare is our main focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt a time when everybody seems to be striving for higher volume, it is important to me that when patients come to my practices, they can be assured that we\u2019ll spend the time to get to know them, as well as their visual needs, and we\u2019ll exceed expectations by delivering exceptional eye care and a high-quality product.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rajinder also has some words of inspiration and advice for those who are considering or starting out in the optometry profession.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always wanted to be in health care, and optometry sort of fell into my lap,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving opportunities arise at the right time, I just needed the courage to embrace them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to be, together with my practices, role models in the optical franchise and business world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I hang up my trail frame for the last time, I want it to be with the assurance that I made a difference. I want to know that I inspired my team members to learn that with courage and hard work they can achieve their dreams.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for my patients, they are much more to me than a pair of eyes. I want to make sure that I made a difference in their lives, no matter how small.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOR Rajinder Uppal, optometrist and owner of OPSM Wendouree, it\u2019s variety that keeps a big smile on her face. \u201cThe thing I love about my job is on any given day I get to switch between seeing patients, to coaching young team members, to coming up with creative ideas of how I can improve my […]<\/p>\n