What happens when your vision for life becomes the foundation for your practice and the fuel that keeps it growing for decades? In this episode, Dr. Patricia Poma shares the story behind her 20-year journey building Birmingham Vision Care into a multimillion-dollar specialty practice. Dr. Poma explains why today’s optometrists must rethink the future of the profession, define the type of care that energizes them, and rebuild a sense of community in an increasingly isolated world. Her candid reflections on leadership, team culture, burnout, and the changing industry landscape make this an episode every private practice owner needs to hear.
Takeaways:
- Start with a clear personal vision and let it guide every decision. When your clinical interests align with your daily work, your energy becomes contagious, and your success follows naturally.
- Build the team you need, not the team you can find quickly. Hiring out of desperation creates long-term cultural fractures, while hiring based on core values builds stability and loyalty.
- Adaptability is no longer optional in modern optometry. Your ability to implement change is the key difference between stagnation and real growth.
- Protect your energy as much as you protect your practice. Intentional self-care creates the resilience required for leadership and prevents the slow burnout that owners often ignore.
- Rediscover the power of community-based relationships. Local partnerships, peer collaborations, and networking are undervalued tools that strengthen patient flow and elevate the profession.
- Define your specialty focus before investing in technology. Buy instruments that support the kind of care that excites you, not because they’re considered standard or trendy.
Quote of the Show:
- “ Identifying who you are and going towards what is important to you, what makes you smile throughout the day. The income and success come later.” - Patricia Poma
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