SUMMER 2025
TALKNG HEADS
Looking back, if you were graduating today, what advice would you give yourself?
Welcome to another edition of ICO Matters! A lot has been happening at ICO these past few months, chief among them the construction of an entirely new Primary Eye Care Center. This $11.5 million dollar project will bring 38 brand new, fully equipped examination lanes with cutting-edge technologies to our students, faculty and patients. We would welcome your support of this wonderful project. You can make a gift via the ICO website at www.ico.edu/make-a-gift. Naming opportunities are also available. Send us a note and we’ll be happy to follow up with you to discuss more.
In May, ICO also graduated 100 new doctors of optometry. No matter how many times I utter the words, "I hereby confer to those so named the degree Doctor of Optometry," graduation gets me every time. So much work, energy and sacrifice has been poured into our student's education, and the confluence of this and the grand setting, always leaves me both reflective and deeply grateful. With our graduates contemplating what their path might look like after graduation, we have dedicated much of this issue to our new colleagues and what their lives could look like a few years after taking the Optometric Oath.
In this “Talking Heads”, I pose the question, “Looking back, if you were graduating today, what advice would you give yourself?” ICO has given each of us so much, and I'm sure you join me in this sentiment. What would your life be like without ICO and your optometric education? After 33 years as an optometrist, however, I don't know if I can still be considered a "recent graduate." So, I've asked three of our esteemed alumni to share their perspectives with you. As always, I wish you all continued success in our wonderful profession and want to send a personal thank you to all those who helped our recent graduates during their journey.
Josh Rogers, OD ’16, MBA
Regional Recruiting Director, Optometrists at National Vision Inc.
When I graduated from ICO, I was so ready to be a doctor. I could hardly wait for my license to arrive. Looking back, I wish I had given myself the time to just breathe. Optometry school is tough, and you've just spent four formative years earning your degree. When you’ve given so much and worked so hard to get where you are, it’s hard to take a break. Those few months between graduation and licensure are a rare gift. Use them. Binge-watch a show. Hang out with your parents. Settle into your next chapter. For us, that meant buying a car and finding an apartment. It was a big transition, and I genuinely needed that time to show up as my best self when patient care began.
That brings me to my second piece of advice: you'll be practicing for 30–40 years if you’re lucky. It's ok if the first year is slow. Focus on learning, on seeing patients, on becoming a better clinician. Patient care comes first. Everything else will fall into place.
After that first year, I found my rhythm. I built on that foundation and pushed my career forward with National Vision. I’d worked there as a tech before optometry school, had a great experience, and so I chose to return. Ten years later, I’ve earned my fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry, I’ve joined the AOA membership advancement team, and I just completed my MBA. Now I get to travel the country recruiting young doctors and sharing my story. The beauty of optometry is that there’s no one way to succeed. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away—just keep moving forward, and your path will become clear. It certainly did for me.
Greta Gregg, OD ’19
Assistant Professor
One thing I would tell my younger self is, “Competence comes with time and experience.” After graduation, I chose to do a residency at IEI. When I first walked into my exam lane, I had so much imposter syndrome. The transition from student doctor to doctor is abrupt. You pass an exam, walk across the stage, and suddenly, you’re expected to be the expert. As an ICO student, you learn so much so quickly, but those first few weeks as a doctor, being in the clinic every day, can be daunting. I wish I had reminded myself that it’s ok to not have all the answers right away. Just by showing up and asking questions, you’re already doing the work. You’re stretching those doctor muscles and steadily building the expertise you need to treat patients with confidence.
I also wish I would have reminded myself more often, “It’s ok to not know everything.” At IEI, our patients present themselves with so many ocular complications there’s just no way to be an expert in all conditions. As a resident, I was part of a strong, supportive team. I always felt I could lean on my colleagues’ experience, and I know this collaboration made me a better clinician.
The last bit of advice I’d give is to be a yes person. That mindset started for me with the decision to pursue residency. I wouldn’t have the confidence or trust in myself today without that incredibly formative year. Optometry is constantly expanding, and you truly never know where life will take you. Residency sets you up to take on these new challenges as they present themselves. From the start, I knew I wanted to be in academia and residency was an essential part of this journey. I was open to challenges, ready for new opportunities, and showed up with a positive, committed attitude. It’s been key to my journey. For me, that meant transitioning from resident to assistant professor. Now, I get to help students as they step into the clinic and learn many of the skills I gained during residency at ICO.
Tracy Becherer, OD ’21
Optometrist at Eye See Ravenswood, Chicago, IL
First, I’d remind myself that as a new graduate never underestimate your worth. As a newly trained doctor, I had very up-to-date knowledge. I was energetically exploring my new career, making me both adaptable and willing to learn, and because of that, I’ve made a meaningful contribution at work. My hiring doctor was able to take the knowledge I had and build out a clinical style that fit her clinic. New grads can bring so much to the table. You don't need decades of experience to add value. Advocate for yourself—especially when it comes to compensation.
Second, I’d say “understand your finances early.” The first few months after I graduated, I was so stressed. Student debt seemed to loom over me and sometimes it felt like there was no way to get a handle on it. At first, I set it on autopay, paid the minimum, and watched my balance grow instead of decreasing every month. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I created a budget and met with a financial advisor at my local bank. They helped me identify what I could cut to pay off my debt more aggressively. My consistent income lets me tackle my loans bit by bit, while also investing in my long-term well-being.
Lastly, I’d say proactively seek out others in the health profession and in particular those in ophthalmology. Having a strong working relationship with an ophthalmologist can be incredibly beneficial for both parties involved. For me, it means that I have someone who can serve as a consultant and sounding board. For them, it ensures their schedules are reserved for the most urgent, complex cases. Collaborating with others has made me a better doctor, and it means I have a strong support network I can turn to when needed. I'm just a few years out but looking back I can see how much I have grown, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.