Undergraduate Education: Colorado State University. Optometry School: Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By providing primary care optometry with experience in ocular disease and contact lenses. Hobbies: Guitar, lifting, running, woodworking.

Undergraduate Education: North Carolina State University. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry School. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Society; North Carolina Piedmont Optometric Society; American Academy of Optometry. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Residency-trained in ocular disease and primary care. Special interests in Dry Eye Disease, Ocular Disease, Specialty Contact Lenses and Primary Care. The reason I became an optometrist is: I had trouble reading as a child (I hated reading because the words became blurry and doubled). Once I received glasses, my reading problems went away! In college I worked as a technician for optometry/ophthalmology and realized there were so many ways to use eye care and eye health to make a difference in people’s lives. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I enjoy curating a personalized plan with each patient. Each person has different needs and I believe it’s important to honor those. I want my patients to feel like they can depend on me to have their best interest in mind. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my family and friends, exercising, yoga, being in nature and painting (even though I’m not any good at it).

Undergraduate Education: University of Waterloo (Canada). Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? My favorite part of help my patient is the ability to provide better health and vision to my patients. I find it especially meaningful when I can provide functional living vision to those suffering from visually impairing corneal conditions. Hobbies/Interests: Food, travel, and snowboarding!

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor's in Vision Science; Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Residency trained in low vision and ocular disease. What drives your passion for optometry? Helping improve the quality of life for people. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Educating them on how to care for their eyes and their bodies. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Treating the patient as a whole person and not the sum of their parts; Hobbies/Interests: Community service, biking, hiking, reading, travel

Undergraduate Education: Wake Technical Community College and North Carolina State University. Optometry School: The Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Dr. Darryl Glover partners with local organization and leaders to help provide eyecare to underserved communities. Hobbies/Interests: Dr. Glover loves to spend time with his family and friends, eat delicious food, and travel to new places. Dr. Darryl Glover is an innovative optometrist, global speaker, key opinion leader, diversity champion, consultant, and podcast host. He has served the optometric community for over 20 years and has held every position in the profession. Dr. Glover sees patients at our Brier Creek location in Raleigh, North Carolina, and serves as the Professionals Services Special Projects Liaison.

Undergraduate Education: Carson-Newman College, BS Biology. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry, 1974. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Soft Contact lens fitting and long-term care. The reason I became an optometrist is: The reason I became an optometrist is: At age 5, I was diagnosed with blurred vision in my right eye, prescribed glasses that did not clear my vision, and subsequently saw many eye care providers, and no one explained to me why I could not see clearly. I want my patient to understand their problem, why it occurred, and how we can best manage their needs short and long term. My favorite part of helping my patients is: My emphasis of eye care is helping patients and their family understand the presenting problem, solutions, and long-term care. Very important to help kids and their parents know they did nothing wrong, and they are not going blind. In my spare time, I enjoy: My John Deere lawn mower is my favorite partner in management of 16 acres. My passion is growing blooming plants, snow skiing, and eating.

Undergraduate Education: West Virginia University. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I enjoy taking care of patients and getting to know others in my community and I look forward to continuing to provide eyecare for them and their families. Hobbies/Interests: watching my son play lacrosse, exercising, family movie nights.

Undergraduate Education: Cornell University, BA Economics; Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, OD, MS Vision Rehabilitation; Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association, NC Optometric Society; Clinical Certifications and Specialities: Master's Degree in Vision Rehabilitation/ Low Vision, Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program certification; The reason I became an optometrist is because I grew up in an optometry family spending time at my father's and maternal grandfather's practice in New Jersey. I loved how they were able to help their patients see and educate people about their health. I am a problem solver and I love that optometry allows me to evaluate eye health issues and help people see their best. My favorite part of helping my patients is getting to know my patients and helping them find the best vision solutions for their needs. I have been caring for many of my patients for over 20 years and am thankful for the opportunity to participate in their health and vision care. In my spare time, I love to be outdoors: hiking, biking, enjoying nature. I also enjoy travel and the insight it provides into other cultures. I currently serve on the board of directors of Wayfinders, an organization that provides mentoring, summer camp opportunities and year round enrichment to high achieving low income students in Charlotte. Through Wayfinders, I am mentoring two teenage girls and I am sharing my passion for learning and exploration with them.

Dr. Divya Bhakta received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at The University of Georgia. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry from The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, where she was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. Dr. Bhakta has received excellent training from her mentors and has specialized training in contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, pediatrics, refractive and cataract surgery co-management, and ocular disease. She has also participated in various community service activities and has provided free vision care for low-income patients. She is currently an active member of the American Optometric Association as well as the Georgia Optometric Association. In her spare time, Dr. Bhakta enjoys traveling, photography, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two daughters. She looks forward to providing you and your family with comprehensive vision care.

Undergraduate Education: University of Florida. Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University School of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Promoting eye health in my neighborhood, local businesses, and schools. Introducing patients to the newest treatment options based on their visual and lifestyle needs. Hobbies/Interests: Coffee, travel, reading, and making memories with family and friends.